Mechanical and impact characterisation of flax and basalt fibre vinylester composites and their hybrids

The present experimental investigation is aimed at performing an analysis of mechanical and impact properties of flax and basalt fibres and their hybrids using a “green” vinylester to produce reinforced thermosetting composites. Laminates were fabricated by hand lay-up and resin infusion. Cure processes were accelerated and controlled by applying heat and pressure in autoclave. Tensile, flexural and falling weight impact tests were carried out, the latter with energies of up to 40 J. The results indicated that hybrid laminates did not mostly offer properties to the level predicted by an application of the rule-of-mixtures. On the other side, advantages provided concerned in particular reducing the brittleness of basalt offering some evidence of plastic behaviour after yielding, capable of compensating the proneness to delamination of flax with a more flexible behaviour, which appeared effective under impact loading, but also in terms of tensile stiffness.