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Ageing of out-of-autoclaved hybrid flax/carbon fibre composites: effects on water absorption and flexural behaviour

Feras Korkees Orcid Logo, ALISON SHARRATT, Mazen Alqathami

Materials Letters, Volume: 406, Start page: 139847

Swansea University Authors: Feras Korkees Orcid Logo, ALISON SHARRATT

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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.matlet.2025.139847

Abstract

The growing demand for high-performance yet sustainable composites highlights the need to replace synthetic composites and energy-intensive processing with more efficient alternatives. However, limited research has been conducted on how out-of-autoclave (OOA) fabrication affects the durability of th...

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Published in: Materials Letters
ISSN: 0167-577X 1873-4979
Published: Elsevier BV 2026
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71031
Abstract: The growing demand for high-performance yet sustainable composites highlights the need to replace synthetic composites and energy-intensive processing with more efficient alternatives. However, limited research has been conducted on how out-of-autoclave (OOA) fabrication affects the durability of the natural/synthetic hybrid composites under hygrothermal ageing. This study examines the ageing behaviour of flax/carbon fibre hybrids fabricated using a vacuum-assisted oven-curing process, focusing on moisture diffusion, swelling, and flexural response. Hybridisation reduced diffusion coefficients under hot-wet conditions by 76–96 % and swelling by up to 80 % compared with flax composites. It also enhanced flexural strength and stiffness up to 200 %. The hybrids retained 60–80 % of their flexural strength and 70–90 % of their stiffness after 23, 45, 70 °C water exposure, confirming the effectiveness of the carbon layers in limiting water-induced deformation and preserving interfacial integrity.
Keywords: Out-of-autoclave processing; Hybrid flax/carbon composites; Moisture-absorption; Swelling; Flexural strength
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: Swansea University
Start Page: 139847

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