Abstract:
This study investigates the mechanical properties of hybrid composites reinforced with bark cloth (
Ficus
natalensis) and glass ber in a polyester resin matrix. Composites were fabricated using the hand layup
technique with varying ber weight fractions (15%, 20%, and 25%) and hybrid ratios (3:1, 2:2, 1:3). The
inuence of hybrid ratio and stacking sequence on exural, tensile, compressive, and impact strengths
was evaluated. Results indicated that composites with higher glass ber content exhibited superior
mechanical performance, with optimal exural (140.94 MPa), tensile (43.24 MPa), compressive (26.47
MPa), and impact strengths (32.44 kJ/m²) at a 1:3 hybrid ratio. Hybridization improved the mechanical
properties of the composites, particularly exural strength, which was signicantly affected by stacking
sequence. These ndings suggest that bark cloth/glass ber hybrid composites have potential for
applications in automotive and structural industries.
