Journals / International Journal of Automotive Science and Technology / 2026 / Volume: 10 Issue: 1

Characterization of Mechanical Performance of Natural–Synthetic Fiber Layered Hybrid Composites for Automotive Interior Trim and Structural Applications

Ercan Şimşir(AFYON KOCATEPE ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-6655-2324
İbrahim Yavuz(afyon kocatepe üniversitresi)0000-0002-4480-2342
Emre Serbest(Kros Otomotiv San. ve Tic. A.Ş. Merkez/Kütahya)0000-0002-7938-8890
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-03-30
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The results indicate that the carbon fiber orientation angle and layer combination have a decisive effect on the impact, bending, and tensile behavior of hybrid composites.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:In this study, the mechanical behavior of hybrid composite layers produced using luffa fiber as a natural fiber and carbon fiber fabric as a synthetic reinforcement was investigated.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Hybrid composites were produced by hand lay-up method in (45º-90º-L-L-90º-45º), (0/90º-90 -L-L-90º- 0/90º) and (0/90º-45º- L-L-45º-0/90º) configurations with different layer combinations and fiber orientation angles, and cured under hot press.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The results indicate that the carbon fiber orientation angle and layer combination have a decisive effect on the impact, bending, and tensile behavior of hybrid composites.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Automotive materials · Hybrid composite · Luffa fiber

Abstract

In this study, the mechanical behavior of hybrid composite layers produced using luffa fiber as a natural fiber and carbon fiber fabric as a synthetic reinforcement was investigated. Hybrid composites were produced by hand lay-up method in (45º-90º-L-L-90º-45º), (0/90º-90 -L-L-90º- 0/90º) and (0/90º-45º- L-L-45º-0/90º) configurations with different layer combinations and fiber orientation angles, and cured under hot press. Low-speed impact tests (10 J and 20 J), three-point bending tests, and tensile tests were performed on the produced specimens. In impact tests, the (0/90º–45º–L–L–45º–0/90º) specimen reached the highest maximum force 7200 N at 20 J and limited deformation, about 20% higher energy absorption than the (45º–90º–L–L–90º–45º) specimen. The (0/90º–90º–L–L–90º–0/90º) specimen showed intermediate behavior, while the (45º–90º–L–L–90º–45º) specimen exhibited greater deformation. Three-point bending tests showed the (0/90º–45º–L–L–45º–0/90º) specimen had the highest load 280 N, 12% higher than (45º–90º–L–L–90º–45º) specimen, and tensile tests indicated the same specimen achieved the highest strength 340 MPa, 15% higher than (45º–90º–L–L–90º–45º) specimen. The results indicate that the carbon fiber orientation angle and layer combination have a decisive effect on the impact, bending, and tensile behavior of hybrid composites. Accordingly, it is concluded that by optimizing the layer arrangement according to the intended use, suitable material design can be achieved for applications requiring high strength or high energy absorption capacity, and the hybrid composite structures examined in this study can be considered as alternative materials for applications such as bumpers, grilles, headlight frames, and trim parts in the automotive industry.

🔖

Cite This Article

Şimşir, E., Yavuz, İ., Serbest, E. (2026). Characterization of Mechanical Performance of Natural–Synthetic Fiber Layered Hybrid Composites for Automotive Interior Trim and Structural Applications. International Journal of Automotive Science and Technology, Volume: 10 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech..1883484

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (67)

  1. Yavuz İ, Şimşir E, Budak K. Investigation of the damping abilities of sheep wool reinforced expanded polystyrene core layer composites at different energies. Journal of Polymer Materials. 2024;41(1):1–14. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpm.2024.052279
  2. Şimşir E, Akçin Ergün Y, Yavuz İ. Investigation of damping properties of natural fiber-reinforced composites at various impact energy levels. Polymers. 2024;16(24): 3553. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243553
  3. Prasad V, Alliyankal Vijayakumar A, Jose T, George SC. A comprehensive review of sustainability in natural-fiber-reinforced polymers. Sustainability. 2024;16(3):1223. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031223
  4. Saha M, Singh H, Singh MK, Rangappa SM, Siengchin S. Advancements in natural fiber composites: Market insights, surface modifications, advanced fabrication techniques and applications. Sustainable Chemistry for Climate Action. 2025;6:100081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scca.2025.100081
  5. Chauhan V, Kärki T, Varis J. Review of natural fiber-reinforced engineering plastic composites, their applications in the transportation sector and processing techniques. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials. 2022;35(8):1169–1209. https://doi.org/10.1177/0892705719889095
  6. Oladele IO, Bichanga’A DO, Borisade SG, Isola-Makinde BA, Akinbamiyorin I, Githinji DN. Recent advancements in the application of natural fibre/particulate based polymer composites in automotive industry: a review on sustainable development. Matériaux and Techniques. 2024;112(4):402. https://doi.org/10.1051/mattech/2024020
  7. Faruk O, Bledzki AK, Fink HP, Sain M. Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers: 2000–2010. Progress in Polymer Science 2012;37(31):1552–1596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2012.04.003
  8. Radhakrishnan S, Krishna JS, Dwivedi SP, Gupta S, Gupta P, Chaudhary V. Experimental investigation of mechanical and physical properties of coconut shell and eggshell filler-based bio-fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 2023;15(4):3201–3213. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13399-023-05037-4
  9. Bhagat VK, Biswas S, Dehury J. Physical, mechanical, and water absorption behavior of coir/glass fiber reinforced epoxy based hybrid composites. Polymer Composites. 2014;35(5):925–930. https://doi.org/10.1002/PC.22736
  10. Hasan KMF, Pervez MdN, Talukder MdE, Mahmud S, Naddeo V, Cai Y. Community entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability of the handloom sector. Handloom Sustainability and Culture. 2022:21–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5967-6_2
  11. Karacor B, Özcanlı M. Different Curing Temperature Effects on Mechanical Properties of Jute/Glass Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Composites. International Journal of Automotive Science and Technology. 2021;5(4):358-71. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech.989976
  12. Ahmad F, Choi HS, Park MK. A review: Natural fiber composites selection in view of mechanical, light weight, and economic properties. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering. 2015;300(1):10–24. https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.201400089
  13. Xu D, He S, Leng W, Chen Y, Wu Z. Replacing plastic with bamboo: a review of the properties and green applications of bamboo-fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Polymers. 2023;15(21):4276. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15214276
  14. Karthik K, Rajamanikkam RK, Venkatesan EP, Bishwakarma S, Krishnaiah R, Saleel CA, Soudagar MEM, Kalam MA, Ali MM, Bashir MN. State of the art: Natural fibre-reinforced composites in advanced development and their physical/chemical/mechanical properties. Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry. 2024;52(7):100415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjac.2024.100415
  15. Ramlee NA, Jawaid M, Zainudin ES, Yamani SAK. Tensile, physical and morphological properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch/sugarcane bagasse fibre reinforced phenolic hybrid composites. Journal of Materials Research and Technology. 2019;8(4):3466–7344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.06.016
  16. Loh YR, Sujan D, Rahman ME, Das CA. Sugarcane bagasse-The future composite material: A literature review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2013;75(1):14–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.03.002
  17. Khalid MY, Al Rashid A, Arif ZU, Sheikh MF, Arshad H, Nasir MA. Tensile strength evaluation of glass/jute fibers reinforced composites: An experimental and numerical approach. Results in Engineering. 2021;10(1):100232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2021.100232
  18. Islam MS, Ahmed SJ. Influence of jute fiber on concrete properties. Construction and Build Materials. 2018;189:768–776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.09.048
  19. Suthenthiraveerappa V, Ajithkumar S, Gopalan V, Pragasam V, Sampath A, Chinnaiyan P, Kalidas VK, Pitchumani SV, Kulendran B, Gopal R, Tensile properties of basalt/jute fiber reinforced epoxy composite. Cogent Engineering. 2024;11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2024.2348083
  20. Charlet K, Eve S, Jernot JP, Gomina M, Breard J. Tensile deformation of a flax fiber. Procedia Engineering. 2009;1(1):233–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2009.06.055
  21. Amiri A, Triplett Z, Moreira A, Brezinka N, Alcock M, Ulven CA. Standard density measurement method development for flax fiber. Industrial Crops and Products. 2017;96:196–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.11.060
  22. Yan L, Chouw N, Jayaraman K. Flax fibre and its composites – A review. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2014;56:296–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.08.014
  23. Saba N, Paridah MT, Jawaid M. Mechanical properties of kenaf fibre reinforced polymer composite: A review. Construction and Build Materials. 2015;76:87–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.11.043
  24. Mahjoub R, Yatim JM, Mohd Sam AR, Hashemi SH. Tensile properties of kenaf fiber due to various conditions of chemical fiber surface modifications. Construction and Build Materials. 2014;55:103–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.01.036
  25. Qu W, Niu B, Lv C, Liu J. A Review of sisal fiber-reinforced geopolymers: preparation, microstructure, and mechanical properties. Molecules. 2024;29(10):2401. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102401
  26. Choudhary S, Kumar Sain M, Kumar V, Saraswat P, Kumar Jindal M. Advantages and applications of sisal fiber reinforced hybrid polymer composites in automobiles: A literature review. Materials Today Proceedings. 2023. (In Press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.02.072
  27. Basak S, Bhowmick M, Sengupta S. Flame retardant sisal rope: combustion properties and characterization. Cellulose. 2023;30:3931–3952. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10570-023-05092-0
  28. Cortés JG, Ryu BR, Pauli C, Barroso LR, Park SH. Industrial applications of hemp fiber in europe and evolving regulatory landscape. Journal of Natural Fibers. 2024;21(1):2435047. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2024
  29. Duval A, Bourmaud A, Augier L, Baley C. Influence of the sampling area of the stem on the mechanical properties of hemp fibers. Materials Letters. 2011;65(4):797–800. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATLET.2010.11.053
  30. Sena Neto AR, Araujo MAM, Barboza RMP, Fonseca AS, Tonoli GHD, Souza FVD, Mattoso LHC, Marconcini JM. Comparative study of 12 pineapple leaf fiber varieties for use as mechanical reinforcement in polymer composites. Indusrtial Crops and Products. 2015;64:68–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.INDCROP.2014.10.042
  31. Leãoa AL, MacHado IS, De Souza SF, Soriano L. Production of curauá (ananas erectifolius L.B. smith) fibers for industrial applications: Characterization and Micropropagation. Acta Horticulturae. 2009;822:227–238. https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.2009.822.28
  32. Jose S, Salim R, Ammayappan L. An overview on production, properties, and value addition of pineapple leaf Fibers (PALF). Journal of Natural Fibers. 2016;13(3):362–373. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2015.1029194
  33. Othman H, Ragab MM, Hassabo AG. Utilization of regenerated cellulose fiber (banana fiber) in various textile applications and reinforced polymer composites. Journal of Textiles, Coloration and Polymer Science. 2024;21(3):51–71. https://doi.org/10.21608/jtcps.2024.258999.1267
  34. Pothan LA, Oommen Z, Thomas S. Dynamic mechanical analysis of banana fiber reinforced polyester composites. Composites Science and Technology. 2003;63(2):283–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-3538(02)00254-3
  35. Nallakumarasamy G, Jagadeesh D, Venkatachalam R. characterisation of banana fiber-A review. J Environ Nanotechnol. 2015;4(2):23–26. https://doi.org/10.13074/jent.2015.06.152154
  36. Cao J, Liu X, Mo R, Liu H, Xu H. Structure damage on cotton fiber via coupling effect of moisture regains and low temperature. Journal of Natural Fibers. 2024;21(1): 2338926. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2024.2338926
  37. Respati SMB, Purwanto H, Fakhrudin I, Prayitno P. Tensile strength and density evaluation of composites from waste cotton fabrics and high-density polyethylene (hdpe): contributions to the composite industry and a cleaner environment. Mechanical Engineering for Society and Industry 2021;1(1):41–48. https://doi.org/10.31603/mesi.5252
  38. Kamath MG, Bhat GS, Parikh D V, Mueller D. Cotton fiber nonwovens for automotive composites. International Nonwovens Journal. 2005;14(1):34-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558925005os-1400105
  39. Alhijazi M, Safaei B, Zeeshan Q, Asmael M, Eyvazian A, Qin Z. Recent developments in luffa natural fiber composites: review. Sustainability. 2020;12(18):7683. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187683
  40. Abidemi Adeyanju C, Ogunniyi S, Ighalo JO, George Adeniyi A, Abdulkareem SA. A review on Luffa fibres and their polymer composites. Journal of Materials Science. 2021; 56:2797-2813. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05432-6
  41. Natrayan L, Kaliappan S. Mechanical Assessment of carbon–luffa hybrid composites for automotive applications. SAE Technical Papers.2023;5070. https://doi.org/10.4271/2023-01-5070
  42. Saw SK, Purwar R, Nandy S, Ghose J, Sarkhel G. Fabrication, characterization, and evaluation of Luffa cylindrica fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Bioresources. 2013;8(4):4805–4826. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.8.4.4805-4826
  43. Stieven Montagna L, Ferreira de Melo Morgado G, Lemes AP, Roberto Passador F, Cerqueira Rezende M. Recycling of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset composites: A review. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials. 2023;36(8):3455–3480. https://doi.org/10.1177/08927057221108912
  44. Yavuz İ, Şi̇mşi̇r E, Şenol B. Investigation of mechanical behavior of glass fiber reinforced extruded polystyrene core material composites. RSC Advances. 2024;14:13311–13320. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RA01740D
  45. Chandgude S, Salunkhe S. In state of art: Mechanical behavior of natural fiber-based hybrid polymeric composites for application of automobile components. Polymer Composites. 2021;42(6):2678–2703. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.26045
  46. Islam T, Chaion MH, Jalil MA, Rafi AS, Mushtari F, Dhar AK, et al. Advancements and challenges in natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites: A comprehensive review. SPE Polymers. 2024;5(4):481–506. https://doi.org/10.1002/PLS2.10145
  47. Simões S. High-performance advanced composites in multifunctional material design: State of the Art, Challenges, and Future Directions. Materials. 2024;17(23):5997. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235997
  48. Jawaid M, Abdul Khalil HPS. Cellulosic/synthetic fibre reinforced polymer hybrid composites: A review. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2011;86(1):1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.04.043
  49. Zaman MAN, Rahman MZ. Hybrid synthetic fibers: composites and automotive applications. Synthetic and Mineral Fibers, Their Composites and Applications. 2024:461–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-13623-8.00017-4
  50. Pickering KL. Properties and performance of natural-fibre composites. Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering. Elsevier. Year 2008.
  51. Venkateshwaran N, Elayaperumal A, Sathiya GK. Prediction of tensile properties of hybrid-natural fiber composites. Composites Part B Engineering. 2012;43(2):793–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2011.08.023
  52. Ashok KG, Kalaichelvan K, Elango V, Damodaran A, Gopinath B, Raju M. Mechanical and morphological properties of luffa/carbon fiber reinforced hybrid composites. Materials Today Proceedings. 2020;33(1):637–641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.05.716
  53. Kamran MJ, Jayamani E, Heng SK, Wong YC. A review: Surface treatments, production techniques, mechanical properties and characteristics of Luffa cylindrica bio composites. Journal of Industrial Textiles. 2022;51(1):215S-245S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1528083720984094
  54. Yang R, Guan Z, Zhang L, Shu Y. Mechanical properties and microstructure of pre-treated luffa fiber reinforced cement mortar. Plos One. 2025;20:e0314213. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314213
  55. Shen J, Min Xie Y, Huang X, Zhou S, Ruan D. Mechanical properties of luffa sponge. Jorunal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials. 2012;15:141–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2012.07.004
  56. Chen Q, Shi Q, Gorb SN, Li Z. A multiscale study on the structural and mechanical properties of the luffa sponge from Luffa cylindrica plant. Journal of Biomechanics. 2014;47(6):1332–1339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.02.010
  57. Mulla MH, Norizan MN, Abdullah CK, Mohd Rawi NF, Mohamad Kassim MH, Abdullah N, Faiz Norrahim MN, Manzoore Elahi MS. Low velocity impact performance of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites: A review. Functional Composites and Structures. 2023;5:035004. https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-6331/acf114
  58. ŞimŞir E, Bayrakceken H. Examination of mechanical tests of cfrp composite material with different orientation angles used in the automotive industry. International Journal of Automotive Science and Technology. 2024;8:132–41. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech.1399886
  59. Esleman EA, Önal G. Three-point bending fatigue behavior of basalt-carbon-glass/epoxy hybrid composites under saltwater environment. Fatigue and Fracture of Engineering Materials and Structures. 2023;46(7):2375–2719. https://doi.org/10.1111/ffe.14012
  60. Sritharan R, Askari D. Improvement of the tensile properties of laminated composites reinforced with Heli-Coil forms of carbon nanotubes. Polymer Composites. 2023;44(10):7070–7083. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.27619
  61. Faidallah RF, Hanon MM, Vashist V, Habib A, Szakál Z, Oldal I. Effect of different standard geometry shapes on the tensile properties of 3d-printed polymer. Polymers. 2023;15(14):3029. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15143029
  62. Sathish T. Forces of flexural and tensile characteristics with nano cobalt filler in Carbon/Pineapple Leaf fiber composites. Interactions. 2024; 245: 96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10751-024-01937-7
  63. Mohamed YS, Abdelbary A. Theoretical and experimental study on the influence of fiber orientation on the tensile properties of unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy composite. Alexandria Engineering Journal. 2023; 67: 693-705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2022.12.058
  64. Nagaraja KC, Rajanna S, Prakash GS, Koppad PG, Alipour M. Studying the effect of different carbon and glass fabric stacking sequence on mechanical properties of epoxy hybrid composite laminates. Composites Communications. 2020; 21: 100425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coco.2020.100425
  65. Seydibeyoğlu MÖ, Dogru A, Wang J, Rencheck M, Han Y, Wang L, Gardner DJ. Review on hybrid reinforced polymer matrix composites with nanocellulose, nanomaterials, and other fibers. Polymers. 2023;15(4): 984. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15040984
  66. Karacor B, Özcanlı M. Different Curing Temperature Effects on Mechanical Properties of Jute/Glass Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Composites. International Journal of Automotive Science and Technology. 2021;5(4):358-71. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech.989976
  67. ŞimŞir E, Bayrakceken H. Examination of mechanical tests of cfrp composite material with different orientation angles used in the automotive industry. International Journal of Automotive Science and Technology. 2024;8:132–41. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech.1399886