Research Article

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

Volume: 10 Number: 1 March 30, 2026

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

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.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research was supported by the Afyon Kocatepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (BAPK) under Project No. 24.FEN.BİL.07.

Project Number

24.FEN.BİL.07

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve human participants or animal subjects; therefore, ethical committee approval was not required.

Thanks

This study was derived from a master’s thesis and was financially supported by the Afyon Kocatepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (BAPK) under Project No. 24.FEN.BİL.07.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Material Production Technologies, Mechanical Vibrations and Noise, Automotive Engineering Materials

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 30, 2026

Submission Date

February 6, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

APA
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, 10(1), 230-240. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech..1883484
AMA
1.Şimşir E, Yavuz İ, Serbest E. Characterization of Mechanical Performance of Natural–Synthetic Fiber Layered Hybrid Composites for Automotive Interior Trim and Structural Applications. IJASTECH. 2026;10(1):230-240. doi:10.30939/ijastech.1883484
Chicago
Şimşir, Ercan, İbrahim Yavuz, and Emre Serbest. 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 10 (1): 230-40. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech. 1883484.
EndNote
Şimşir E, Yavuz İ, Serbest E (March 1, 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 10 1 230–240.
IEEE
[1]E. Şimşir, İ. Yavuz, and E. Serbest, “Characterization of Mechanical Performance of Natural–Synthetic Fiber Layered Hybrid Composites for Automotive Interior Trim and Structural Applications”, IJASTECH, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 230–240, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.30939/ijastech..1883484.
ISNAD
Şimşir, Ercan - Yavuz, İbrahim - Serbest, Emre. “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 10/1 (March 1, 2026): 230-240. https://doi.org/10.30939/ijastech. 1883484.
JAMA
1.Şimşir E, Yavuz İ, Serbest E. Characterization of Mechanical Performance of Natural–Synthetic Fiber Layered Hybrid Composites for Automotive Interior Trim and Structural Applications. IJASTECH. 2026;10:230–240.
MLA
Şimşir, Ercan, et al. “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, vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 230-4, doi:10.30939/ijastech. 1883484.
Vancouver
1.Ercan Şimşir, İbrahim Yavuz, Emre Serbest. Characterization of Mechanical Performance of Natural–Synthetic Fiber Layered Hybrid Composites for Automotive Interior Trim and Structural Applications. IJASTECH. 2026 Mar. 1;10(1):230-4. doi:10.30939/ijastech. 1883484


International Journal of Automotive Science and Technology (IJASTECH) is published by Society of Automotive Engineers Turkey

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