Abstract
The tensile mechanical behaviour of hybrid jute/cotton fabric reinforced polyester composites was evaluated. Three fabric configurations, with varying jute weight fractions, were used and five stacking sequences were analysed, namely: [0]; [0/90]; [0/90/0]; [90/0/90] and [0/90/0/90]. The data suggest that differences on the areal density of the fabrics were of minor importance to the tensile behaviour of the composites with jute fibres aligned to the loading direction, [0]. The results obtained for the other configurations – with [90] layers – were strongly influenced by the lack of resin impregnation inside the tow of the fibre, by the weak jute/polyester matrix interface and by the presence of jute fibres aligned perpendicularly to the loading direction. For these stacking sequences, the results obtained were dominated by the maximum strain sustained at the jute/polyester interface. Cotton fibres were shown to be non-reinforcing, and to act only as a convenient ancillary fibre aiding at the fabric manufacture.
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