Experimental analysis of a hybrid composite material

The main aim of this thesis is to investigate the mechanical properties of a hybrid composite material under static loadings. The material is a composite laminate made by layers of carbon bars and a rubber layer. The thesis can be split into three main parts. In the first part a background about carbon bar composite is given and, subsequently, the research and main results on hybrid composites is introduced. The objective of this section is to provide a base on which built the main results of this work. In the second part it is explained how the test activities have been performed and the main results obtained. In particular, the effect of the introduction of a rubber layer has been highlighted in each type of tests. In the last part, a finite element dynamical analysis is presented. A very simple transient analysis has been performed in order to foresee the dynamic behaviour of the hybrid. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated a relevant hybrid effect in the compressive and flexural properties. Those effects can be roughly reassumed in anincreasing specific stiffness for the compressive properties and in a large improvement of flexibility in the bending test. The numerical simulation shows that an increased damping effect is present, corresponding to an increase of rubber layer thickness.