The Effect of Hybridization Mode on the Impact Resistance of Aramid/Carbon Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

ABSTRACT The incorporation of aramid fibers into carbon fiber composites can enhance their impact resistance. To investigate the influence of the hybridization method on the impact performance of such composites, six types of aramid/carbon fiber hybrid composites were fabricated using vacuum infusion molding. Low‐velocity impact tests, post‐impact compression tests, and CT scanning were employed to analyze the impact response, performance degradation, and damage morphology of the composites under different hybridization configurations. The results indicate that the hybridization method significantly affects the impact resistance, damage extent, and residual strength of the composites under both 10 J and 50 J impact energies. The uniform mixing configuration demonstrates superior impact resistance compared to the skin–core and simple stacking configurations. In particular, the AC4ACA configuration exhibits the highest local impact threshold and peak load, the smallest permanent indentation depth, and the highest specific energy absorption—twice that of the 6A2C configuration, which shows the lowest specific energy absorption. Under 10 J and 50 J impact energies, the residual compressive strength retention rates of AC4ACA reach 80% and 40%, respectively, indicating minimal internal damage and optimal impact resistance. Under impact loading, failure primarily initiates at the interfaces between carbon/aramid and aramid/aramid layers. These interlayer cracks then propagate rapidly during subsequent compression, leading to interlaminar debonding and brittle fracture of the carbon fiber layers. In contrast, the aramid fiber layers, benefiting from superior strain‐to‐failure, resist rupture.