Hybrid Composites Research
- Context
- Part IV Project (P4P), UoA Advanced Foiling Team
- Category
- University · Teams & Competitions
- Focus
- Carbon, basalt, flax, ASTM D790 flexural testing, Classical laminate theory, Sustainability trade-offs
My Part IV research, with Bruno Vaughan and supervised by Dr Arcot Somashekar, investigated the trade-off between sustainability and mechanical performance in carbon, basalt and flax fibre composites for the UoA SuMoth Moth.
I manufactured 100 specimens across 20 laminate configurations and tested their flexural properties using ASTM D790 three-point bending. I then analysed the influence of fibre type, orientation and ply placement, finding that carbon on the outer faces was particularly effective for bending stiffness.
I compared the experimental results with classical laminate theory and assessed the environmental trade-offs of hybrid laminates. The project finished with candidate laminate recommendations for the foil, hull and wing panels, along with the further testing needed before they are used structurally.
- 100Specimens made and tested
- 20Laminate configurations
- 3Fibres: carbon, basalt, flax
