Abstract This study evaluates the impact strength, hardness, impedance characteristics, and water absorption of fiber-reinforced polymer composites using Steel, Glass, and Carbon fibers both individually and in hybrid combinations. Composite samples were fabricated via the hand lay-up method and tested according to ASTM standards. The results demonstrate that hybrid composites consistently outperform single-fiber composites. The Glass, Carbon and Steel hybrid exhibited the highest performance, with an impact strength improvement of 633 %, hardness increased by 107 %, and impedance at low frequencies exceeding 8,000 Ω, indicating high interfacial polarization. Impedance decreased with frequency due to the formation of conductive pathways via carbon and steel fibers. Individual materials like glass, carbon, and steel show minimal water absorption, with values around 0 %–0.1 %. Composites like Glass and Carbon (0.12 %), Glass and Steel (1.10 %), and Glass, Carbon and Steel (0.60 %) absorb slightly more water. Notably, Carbon and Steel shows a significant increase, with 0.98 % after 24 h and 2.5 % after 48 h. This research confirms the potential of hybrid composites for applications requiring structural durability, electrical functionality, and environmental resistance.
Purna et al. (Thu,) studied this question.