Development of Improved Flexural and Impact Performance of Kevlar/Carbon/Glass Fibers Reinforced Polymer Hybrid Composites
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The author introduced hybridization of Carbon, Glass, and Kevlar fiber as the novelty of this study and proposes such hybridization for high performance composites in structural composites in potential engineering and design applications. It is known that the thermal behavior of fibers at elevated temperature can affect the overall performance of hybrid composites. This is why other fiber such as UHMWPE fiber is commonly used for this purpose. From performance point of view, what are the advantages of natural fiber over other types of conventional fiber such as UHMWPE fiber for hybridization with carbon/glass fiber?
It is well-known that one major issue of natural fibers such as Kevlar is moisture absorption. This could potentially introduce significant challenges in natural fiber reinforced composites and can be considered as a great issue regarding long term sustainability and durability. How does the author overcome this issue?
The void coalescence can affect the ductile behavior of materials. This void coming from moisture of Kevlar fiber and cannot be neglected. How authors distinguish the contribution of void from other toughening mechanism with regards to toughness?
It is strongly recommended that the authors benchmark their achievement in terms of improvement of mechanical performance with the other studies reported in literature. Progress in polymer science, 37(11), 1552-1596.; DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.06.007
Author Response
Please find the uploaded Response2Reviewers file.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Manuscript number: JCS-1859183
Development of Improved Flexural and Impact Performance of Kevlar/Carbon/Glass Fibers Reinforced Polymer Hybrid Composites
Ramesh Kumar Nayak1, Sonali Rout2, Suresh Chandra Patnaik2 and Hamed Yazdani Nezhad3
1 Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India
2 Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Sarang, India
3 Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, City, University of London, London, UK
Three regular and five hybrid composites of glass, kevlar, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites were developed using manual pre-preg lay-up technique. Seven layers were used in different order and laminated. The matrix was an epoxy polymer based on Diglycidyl ether of Bisphenol A type, and the hardener was Triethylene-tetra-amine.
The synergistic effect of different fiber combinations on flexural strength, modulus, and impact strength are evaluated.
The resulting polymers were tested for hardness, flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength. SEM images of the fractured surface also was used to evaluate of the failure mechanism. Densities of composites were measured and theoretical density/void % were calculated. The cost-efficiency were calculated for potential engineering applications.
The following conclusions may be drawn.
Plain Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite has the highest hardness.
Hybrid composite of type (CGKCKGC) showed highest flexural strength and modulus.
Hybrid composite of type (G2K3G2) showed maximum impact strength, because of the synergistic effect of both glass and kevlar fiber present in it.
Compared to all other hybrid composites, type (CGKCKGC) hybrid composite showed significantly superior mechanical properties and high cost-efficiency.
Notes:
Line 116: ?? is written instead of ??t
Line 134: Void content cannot be calculated with the given data. Density values (theoretical and experimental) must be entered with greater precision (to several decimal places).
Line 226: On Figure 5 only four layers of composite are shown. Explanation is needed.
Line 249: Dimensions of Specific Strength and Specific Modulus of Composites are missing.
Theoretical explanations are not quantitative enough.
The publication does not have typing errors.
Author Response
Please find the uploaded Response2Reviewers file.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The revised manuscript convincingly addresses the reviewer’s concerns so that I can recommend publication J. Compos. Sci.
Reviewer 2 Report
The revised version of the article " Development of Improved Flexural and Impact Performance of Kevlar/Carbon/Glass Fibers Reinforced Polymer Hybrid Composites" authored by Sonali Rout, Ramesh Kumar Nayak, Suresh Chandra Patnaik , Hamed Yazdani Nezhad is acceptable for publication.
