Failure Behavior and Natural Frequencies in Cantilever Hybrid Kevlar/Glass Epoxy Plate with Various Angle-Ply Configurations

Abstract:

Hybrid composite laminates that combine Kevlar and glass fibers offer tailored performance, but the interaction between their progressive failure and vibrational behavior remains insufficiently understood. This study employs finite element analysis in ANSYS APDL to evaluate Kevlar/epoxy, glass/epoxy, and Kevlar–glass hybrid laminates with cross-ply and angle-ply stacking sequences, using layered shell elements and the Maximum Stress criterion. The study validates the model against published experimental data and applies it to assess first-ply failure (FPF), last-ply failure (LPF), and natural frequencies. Results show that Kevlar laminates provide the highest strength and natural frequencies, while glass laminates exhibit the lowest, with hybrids consistently demonstrating intermediate performance. Although hybrids record lower FPF than either constituent, their LPF exceeds that of GFRP, reflecting beneficial stress redistribution during damage progression. Natural frequencies decrease systematically with increasing fiber angle, with Mode 2 showing greater sensitivity to orientation. Among the hybrids, H4 provided the most balanced overall performance, pairing competitive LPF with stable modal behavior. This study establishes a clear correlation between failure progression and dynamic response, highlighting the governing role of fiber content and stacking sequence in determining the structural integrity and vibration resistance of hybrid laminates.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 392)
• Pages: 73-83
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-ucH2ph
• Online since: April 2026
• Authors: Schufee Amani Suhaime*, Aiman Fikhri Azmadi, Muhammad Shahir Amri, Latifah Nurahmi, Mohd Nor Azmi bin Ab Patar
• Keywords: Failure Behavior, Fiber Orientation, Finite Element Analysis, Hybrid Composite Laminates, Natural Frequencies

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