Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

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Materials Today: Proceedings

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Effect of metallic reinforcement on the mechanical behaviour of a hybrid

polymer composite- a review
A.V. Salve *, Ashok Mache
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology, Pune, India

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Today’s industries are actively seeking innovative materials that offer specific advantages, such as low cost, high
Hybrid polymer composite strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, fracture resistance, and excellent moisture resistance. One such
Fiber metal laminates (FML’s) advancement is the development of hybrid polymer composite materials, achieved through the combination of
Natural fiber
different fiber reinforcements like synthetic fibers, natural fibers, and metal wire mesh. This amalgamation of
Wire mesh
Static test
fibers has proven to be a promising method for enhancing the mechanical properties of composite materials. This
Impact test review paper focuses on studies that have investigated the hybridization of composite materials and its impact on
their static and dynamic properties. Notable improvements have been observed in specific tensile strength, low-
velocity impact strength, resistance to crack propagation, and fire resistance. The review examines relevant
literature that involves the use of metallic reinforcement in the form of wire mesh bound with fibers to create
hybrid polymer composite materials. The effects of this hybridization on mechanical performance are assessed
through various quasi-static and dynamic tests. Additionally, the paper explores the sustainability of these hybrid
materials in various structural applications. Furthermore, the review includes studies on modern modeling and
simulation methods used to understand the resulting properties attributed to hybridization.

1. Introduction
Composites have gained significant attention and are now rapidly
replacing conventional materials across various sectors, including
aerospace, automobile, rail, petrochemical, construction, building in­
dustries, deep offshore applications (submarine structures), sports
goods, and more. This transition can be attributed to their numerous
advantages, such as high specific strength, low density, resistance to
crack propagation, and excellent moisture resistance [1]. In response to
the industry’s growing demand for even more specific material prop­
erties, a hybrid polymer composite material is being investigated. Fig. 1
illustrates different methods of hybridizing polymer composite lami­
nates. Among these approaches, Fiber Metal Laminates (FMLs) stand out
as a type of hybrid polymer composite material developed by incorpo­
rating metallic reinforcement into epoxy composites [2]. This concept of
hybridization yields numerous benefits.
Currently, the primary metals utilized in the development of hybrid
composites are aluminium, followed by magnesium and titanium. On
the other hand, the fibers used are all synthetic, including glass, carbon,
and aramid [3]. Fiber metal laminates are manufactured by alternating
layers of metal sheets and fiber-reinforced composite layers, which are
bonded together using thermoset or thermoplastics resin system as
shown in Fig. 2. By combining two different materials, i.e., metal and
fiber, these hybrid composites offer the advantages of both, resulting in
superior mechanical, thermal, fatigue, and impact properties. The first
fiber metal laminate, known as ARALL, was developed at Delft Univer­
sity of Technology around the mid-’80 s. It incorporated aramid fiber-
reinforced aluminium laminate. Over the years, several more hybrid
composites have been developed, including CARALL (Carbon Fiber
Reinforced Aluminium Laminate) and GLARE (Glass Fiber Reinforced
Aluminium Laminate) [4].
2. Mechanical properties of metallic reinforced hybrid
composite
Property prediction plays a crucial role in the design and
manufacturing of novel hybrid laminates made of various metal com­
ponents and fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites [5]. When
evaluating the qualities of hybrid composites and the connections be­
tween their components, metal volume fraction (MVF) in laminate might

* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: aniket.salve@viit.ac.in (A.V. Salve), ashok.mache@viit.ac.in (A. Mache).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.09.038
Received 8 June 2023; Received in revised form 2 September 2023; Accepted 6 September 2023
2214-7853/Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 14th International
Conference on Materials, Processing & Characterization – ICMPC 2023.

Please cite this article as: A.V. Salve, Ashok Mache, Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.09.038
A.V. Salve and A. Mache
be considered. Basically, it is the ratio of the sum of individual metal
layer’s thickness values to the total thickness of the laminate. With the
use of the rule of mixtures and MVF, the classical lamination theory can
predict the strength characteristics of hybrid composite materials. To
investigate the static property of hybrid composite laminates, the
following equation (1) can be used.
Hybrid Composite Laminate Properties = MV F × X + (1 − MV F )Y (1)
Where, X = Metal layer contribution; Y = Fiber layer contribution;
MV F = Metal Volume Fraction.
The mechanical performance of a hybrid composite depends on
factors such as the orientation of reinforced materials (such as fibers and
metal), the type of bonding agent used, and the volume or weight
fraction of the reinforcement. This performance can be assessed through
various tests. The important tests and their corresponding properties are
reviewed and explained in the following section.
Fig. 3 illustrates the load versus deflection curve, capturing the
distinct nature of Fiber Metal Laminate (FML) and wire mesh FML at two
specific wire mesh orientations: 90◦ and 45◦ . On the other hand, Fig. 4
provides the stress–strain relationship exhibited by various materials,
including synthetic fibers, metals, FML, and wire mesh FML.
Elumalai et al. [6] conducted research on both plain composites and
hybrid composites made with asna fiber and steel wire mesh bonded
within an epoxy matrix. They varied the volume fractions (VF) of the
fiber and studied the mechanical, thermal, and water absorption prop­
erties through experimentation. The study revealed that in plain com­
posites, increasing the volume fraction of fiber by 0.1% led to a decrease
in tensile and flexural strength by 0.72% and 59%, respectively, while
enhancing impact strength by 5.9%. In the case of hybrid composites,
tensile and flexural strength decreased by 18%, but impact strength
increased by 1.6%. Regarding the thermal aspect, the composites began
to decompose within a temperature range of 330 ◦ C to 370 ◦ C.
Sadoun et al. [7] conducted experimental studies on tensile, bending,
and hardness properties of plain and hybrid composite laminates. They
used Al wire mesh bonded with E-glass fiber using epoxy. The test results
indicated that the inclusion of Al wire mesh had a more significant in­
fluence on the strength, toughness, and ductility of the laminates
compared to plain composite laminates. The position and orientation of
the Al wire mesh sheet also had a notable impact on the characteristics
of the resulting hybrid composite laminates. Adding Al wire mesh to the
outer side significantly decreased the tensile and bending strength while
significantly increasing the tensile strain (16.95%) and bending strains
Fig. 1. Methods of Hybridization.
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(117%). Megahed et al. [8] investigated the effect of Al wire mesh
reinforcement at various locations within E-glass fiber hybrid compos­
ites under tensile, flexural, and impact tests, both with and without
notches. The findings revealed that incorporating Al mesh instead of
glass fibers allowed for customization of the laminate’s properties. The
addition of Al mesh plies substantially increased the energy absorption
capacity of hybrid composites under tensile and flexural testing, with
maximum improvements of 210% and 166%, respectively.
Karunakaran et al. [9] conducted an interlaminar shear strength
(ILSS) test to assess the bond strength between surface-treated and un­
treated fibers, wire mesh, and epoxy resin within hybrid composite plies.
The test results revealed that the overall ILSS improved in hybrid com­
posites developed with pre-surface treatment. Krishnasamy et al. [10]
manufactured novel hybrid composites using hemp and flax in combi­
nation with steel-2304 wire mesh oriented at 45◦ and 90◦ . They inves­
tigated the mechanical properties and conducted experiments related to
machining performance, specifically drilling. The experimental data
showed that the FRW-450 orientation exhibited excellent tensile
strength (43 MPa) and flexural strength (82 MPa) compared to FRW-900.
The drilling experiments indicated an inverse relationship between
torque and feed rate for all hybrid composites. At 500 rpm, the delam­
ination factor was lower in HRW-450 than in HRW-900. The ultimate
conclusion was that the hybrid composite of hemp with steel wire mesh
(HRW) demonstrated superior characteristics compared to the hybrid
composite of flax with steel wire mesh (FRW). Naga et al. [11] per­
formed tests on a hybrid composite reinforced with aluminium (Al) and
stainless-steel (SS) wire mesh, prepared with three layers of glass fibers
on each side of the wire mesh sheets. The results demonstrated that the
tensile and flexural strength of the aluminium wire mesh specimen were
higher at 461.57 MPa and 502.06 MPa, respectively, compared to
346.69 MPa and 377.57 MPa for the SS wire mesh specimen. Under
impact loading conditions, the SS wire mesh specimen absorbed more
energy (6.2 J) than the aluminium wire mesh specimen (5.4 J). Uzay
et al. [12] conducted an evaluation of the flexural properties of sand­
wich structure specimens made from a polyvinyl chloride foam core and
carbon fiber, with a thin layer of stainless-steel (SS) wire mesh sheets
bonded to them. The evaluation followed ASTM standards (C3093,
D339, D7250, and D7249), and various design parameters were
considered, such as wire mesh size, core thickness, sequences of bonding
of wire mesh sheets, and corresponding span length for the developed
sandwich structure. The results of the flexural tests indicated that the
core thickness had a direct influence on the flexural stiffness.
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Additionally, when the core sandwich thickness increased, the hybrid­

ization of carbon fiber with wire mesh resulted in a 13.37%, 16.60%,
and 13.37% enhancement in flexural properties, respectively. Moham­
madkhani et al. [13] conducted a low-velocity impact test using a
hemispherical impactor on sandwich laminates composed of stainless-
steel wire mesh, polyurethane foam, and glass. These sandwich lami­
nates were developed with various orientations of stainless-steel wire
mesh, such as double plus, single plus, double cross, cross, and star-type
layouts positioned between the 1st and 2nd layers of glass fiber. Both
experimental and numerical (ABAQUS) methods were employed for
testing. The findings demonstrated that the energy absorption capacity
of the sandwich laminates was twice that of non-reinforced sandwich
laminates. Moreover, the sandwich laminates exhibited significant im­
provements in impact resistance. Notably, the numerical and experi­
mental results closely aligned with each other. Heaven et al. [14]
examined hybrid composite laminates made of glass, brass wire mesh,
and nano-silica particles, studying their mechanical, impact, and fatigue
properties. Adding just 1 % (by volume) of nano-silica improved tensile
strength and fracture toughness, as well as energy absorption. Fatigue
performance also showed enhancement with 1.0% nano-silica content.
Fig. 3. Load versus deflection curve.
Arunprasad et al. [15] explored sandwich laminates composed of high-
strength kevlar fiber, banana fiber, and Al wire mesh, comparing them
with pure kevlar fiber epoxy laminates. The sandwich laminates dis­
played improved properties, suggesting their suitability for high-end
applications. Krishnaswami et al. [16] studied the impact of Al and Cu
wire mesh reinforced with natural jute fiber polymer hybrid structures
on mechanical and dynamic properties. The investigation revealed that
hybrid composites developed with 450 orientations of AWM and CWM
exhibited a 14.12% and 9.28% improvement in tensile strength
compared to those with 900 orientations of AWM and CWM. The ulti­
mate tensile strength values were recorded as 24.2 MPa with 3.33%
elongation for AWM and 35.96 MPa with 1.67% elongation for CWM. In
comparison to the 450-oriented AWM hybrid composites, the introduc­
tion of 450-oriented CWM enhanced energy absorption capacity. The
dynamic properties of AWM and CWM hybrid composites with 900
orientations were also enhanced. SEM analysis showed all failure modes
in composites after each test. Krishnasamy et al. [17] developed a hybrid
composite using natural fibers such as aloevera, flax, and hemp, rein­
forced with stainless-steel 304 wire mesh and BaSO4, employing a hand
lay-up method. Experimental findings regarding mechanical properties Fig. 4. Stress versus strain curve.
including tensile, flexural, hardness, wear, and vibration indicated that
the incorporation of wire mesh and BaSO4 into pure composite lami­ steel 304 wire mesh and BaSO4 as fillers led to increased specific stiff­
nates resulted in an 8.68% improvement in tensile strength, a 10.72% ness, consequently raising the natural frequency.
enhancement in compressive strength, and a 5.42% increase in flexural Loganathan et al. [18] conducted an analysis of the mechanical and
strength. Additionally, hardness and wear resistance were improved, vibration characteristics of epoxy polymer composites reinforced with
albeit at the cost of reduced impact strength. The utilization of stainless-

Fig. 2. Hybrid composite laminate [4].

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A.V. Salve and A. Mache
banana fibers and stainless-steel 304 wire mesh, comparing pure and
hybrid composite structures. The hybrid composites were fabricated
with a stacking sequence that placed the wire mesh at the core and two
layers of banana fibers on the outer side, with varying orientations (00,
300, 450, 600, 900). The experimental findings revealed that when
compared to the pure composite, the hybrid composite with wire mesh
at the core exhibited significant improvements in mechanical properties,
including tensile strength (12.60%), flexural strength (62.50%), impact
strength (57.18%), and vibration resistance, particularly for 00 fiber
orientations. Notably, hybrid laminates with a 450 fiber orientation on
the outer side of the structure outperformed the other configurations.
Choudary et al. [19] formulated a hybrid composite material by
combining woven glass mat with a stainless-steel wire mesh. They
conducted an analysis of the material’s tensile, compressive, and flex­
ural properties in order to gain insights into its hybrid characteristics.
The results of a three-point bend test indicated that the flexural strength
of the hybrid material, comprising stainless-steel wire mesh and glass
mat, surpassed that of pure glass, carbon, and jute fiber-reinforced
plastics. Moreover, the hybrid composite exhibited higher tensile
strength and impact resistance compared to glass fiber-reinforced plas­
tic. The ultimate deduction drawn was that incorporating stainless-steel
wires to enhance sandwiched laminates substantially influenced their
mechanical properties. Krishnaswamy et al. [20] formulated hybrid
composite laminates using SS304 wire mesh in two orientations (450
and 900 degrees). These were bonded with hand-laid woven jute fabrics.
Mechanical tests covered flexural, tensile, interlaminar, impact, and
viscoelastic properties. The 450-oriented mesh resulted in flexural
strength of 0.14 kN, tensile strength of 20.55 MPa, and 2.83% elonga­
tion. Impact-wise, it showed higher energy absorption than the 900
orientation. At 0.5 Hz, the 900 orientation exhibited greater damping
factor (0.061) in transitions. Karunakaran et al. [21] conducted a low-
velocity impact test on hybrid polymer composites combining surface-
treated and untreated glass fiber with SS wire mesh. Their focus was
on evaluating the impact’s influence on energy absorption and damage
behavior. They utilized the hand layup technique to manufacture com­
posite laminates, both plain and hybrid, employing different fiber and
wire mesh orientations. The procedure included surface pre-treatment
on both the fiber and wire mesh. The low-velocity drop weight impact
test was executed at velocities of 3, 4, and 5 m/s across various com­
binations of these hybrid polymer composites. The results indicated that
hybrid laminates utilizing acid-treated glass fiber exhibited lower
absorbed energy and damage area compared to those employing
alkaline-treated glass fiber, thus highlighting the impact of surface
treatment on the performance of these hybrid materials.
Truong et al. [22] investigated the mechanical properties of hybrid
composites comprising carbon fiber (CF) reinforced with stainless-steel
wire mesh (SM), both experimentally and analytically. Their study
involved testing hybrid composites with three different SS wire mesh
types (coarse, moderate, and fine) and two distinct fiber orientations (0◦
and 45◦ ). Results showed that the fine SS wire mesh exhibited the
highest peak strength and ultimate strain, recording values of 840 MPa
and 0.16, respectively. Coarse SS wire mesh, on the other hand, dis­
played lower values of 817 MPa and 0.38. Notably, incorporating
varying amounts of carbon fiber layers and applying SS wire mesh led to
significant enhancements in these mechanical properties. These findings
align well with the predictions of the analytical model they developed.
Gupta et al. [23] conducted a comparative analysis of damping prop­
erties across three types of laminates: pure Glass Fiber Reinforced
Polymer (GFRP), hybrid GFRP reinforced with Shape Memory Alloy
(SMA), and hybrid GFRP reinforced with steel wire mesh. The study
revealed that both hybrid laminates exhibited identical flexural stiffness
and the first mode of vibration frequency. Wan et al. [24] conducted a
study focused on the low-velocity impact performance and energy ab­
sorption capacity of hybrid laminates made from glass fiber epoxy,
embedded with metal wire netting, at various incident velocities. The
manufacturing process involved a vacuum-assisted injection technique
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Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx
to create panels consisting of 8 to 10 layers with varying stacking se­
quences. Experimental results demonstrated that an increase in the
number of metal wire net layers within the composite laminates led to
enhancements in tensile strength, impact resistance, and energy ab­
sorption capacity. Under an impact energy of 24 J, specimens with eight
glass layers (GF8) and specimens with eight glass layers along with two
layers of wire netting (GF4/WN) were penetrated by the impactor, while
others rebounded the impactor. This disparity was attributed to the
absence or minimal presence of wire netting in certain laminates. The
energy absorption within the laminates primarily occurred through fiber
and wire netting debonding and delamination. Moreover, the threshold
penetration velocity was observed to increase as the quantity of wire
netting within the laminates increased.
M. Sakthivel et al. [25] fabricated two composites. The first com­
posite comprised a 60% wt fraction of glass fiber and a 40% wt fraction
of epoxy. The second composite was a hybrid of glass fiber and stainless-
steel (SS) wire mesh ply bonded with epoxy resin. The weight fractions
for glass fiber were varied as 50%, 52.5%, 55%, 57.5%, and 60%, while
the stainless-steel (SS) wire mesh was kept at a uniform weight fraction
of 10%. Experimental assessments were conducted to evaluate the me­
chanical and thermal properties of both types of composites. The results
indicated that the combination of 52.5% glass fiber and 10% SS wire
mesh, with the remaining epoxy, exhibited superior mechanical and
thermal properties compared to other combinations. Prakash et al. [26]
conducted a series of experiments on a hybrid composite composed of
silane-treated e-glass fiber, Al6061 wire mesh, and SS304 wire mesh
embedded within an epoxy matrix. Their focus was to investigate the
impact of surface treatment on the mechanical behavior of this com­
posite. The results revealed that the application of surface treatment
enhanced the bonding between the fiber and the metal surface, leading
to notable improvements in mechanical properties such as tensile
strength, flexural strength, and side impact energy. The respective
values were elevated to 134 MPa, 241 MPa, and 5.4 J. Comparatively,
the hybrid composite lacking surface treatment displayed a greater
penetration depth than its surface-treated counterpart. The enhanced
bonding effects were effectively captured through scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) analysis.
Sakthivel et al. [27] delved into the examination of the mechanical
properties of a hybrid composite that combined glass fiber with
stainless-steel (SS) wire mesh. This hybrid composite was fabricated
using the hand lay-up technique, with layers of SS wire mesh situated at
the top, middle, and bottom positions within the composite. During the
fabrication process, weight fractions of 40% epoxy resin, 50% woven
glass fiber, and 10% SS wire mesh were maintained. The findings
highlighted that incorporating the SS wire mesh within the middle layer
of the hybrid composite yielded notably enhanced mechanical charac­
teristics compared to the alternative configurations. In the tensile test,
this configuration achieved an ultimate strength of 110 MPa and
breaking loads of 3600 N, along with a % elongation of 16.83. In the
flexural test, the hybrid composite exhibited ultimate stress of 95 MPa
and breaking loads of 520 N. The interlaminar notch shear (INSS) test
showcased a breaking load of 180 N and ultimate strength of 36 MPa.
Moreover, in the impact test, the hybrid composite displayed superior
energy absorption in contrast to other composite configurations. Kar­
unakaran et al. [28] pursued the fabrication of plain and hybrid com­
posites by combining glass fiber with steel wire mesh using the
traditional hand layup method. The researchers subsequently modified
the surface characteristics of the glass fiber using a 1 N solution of so­
dium hydroxide or sulfuric acid, and similarly treated the steel wire
mesh with sandblasting. The study aimed to assess the impact of pre-
treatment on the mechanical performance of glass fiber reinforced
with steel wire mesh hybrid composites. The findings indicated that the
surface conditions of both the glass fiber and wire mesh were enhanced,
resulting in improved adhesion between the two components and
consequently leading to improved mechanical properties.
Thirumurugan et al. [29] utilized the hand-layup technique to create
A.V. Salve and A. Mache Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

two composite types: a) standard Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Table 2.1
(GFRP), and b) a hybrid GFRP composite called GABGRP, integrating Summary/ Key points regarding literature review.
glass, banana fiber, aluminium foil, and aluminium wire mesh. Ref. No Year Reinforced Types of Stacking Key
Comprehensive testing, including tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness wire mesh Fiber Sequence in Properties
assessments, was conducted on these laminates. The hybrid composite material (d Fabricated
¼ wire dia., Hybrid
featuring aluminium wire mesh exhibited the highest ultimate load
s ¼ mesh Composite
values 835.41 KN for flexural and 19,430 KN for tensile opening
strength—outperforming its counterparts. Additionally, this hybrid dist.)
composite demonstrated superior toughness and impact energy ab­ [6] 2022 Steel Asna AF-AF AF-SS- Tensile,
sorption (6.264 J), surpassing other configurations. While GABGRP AF impact,
showed decreased hardness values, the study suggested combining ba­ flexural,
nana fibers with aluminium wire mesh for enhanced GFRP hybrid thermal
[7] 2021 Al 6061 E-glass NG = [G00/ Tensile,
composites.
d = 0.29 mm woven G045/G00/G045]s flexural
Deb et al. [30] carried out experiments on plain jute fiber laminated 6.3 meshes/ roving Al1Al8 =
with polyester and jute fiber reinforced with steel wire mesh, comparing cm mat [Al00/G045/G00/
their fundamental mechanical properties. These laminates were fabri­ t = 0.25 G045]s
cated using hand lay-up techniques. The results highlighted substantial mm Al2Al7 =
[G00/Al045/G00/
enhancements in tensile, compressive, and flexural strength, along with G045]s
improved moisture resistance attributed to the presence of the steel wire Al3Al6 =
mesh ply. Raj et al. [31] investigated the mechanical properties like [G00/G045/Al00/
tensile, compressive, and flexural strength of hybrid composite lami­ G045]s
Al4Al5 =
nates. These laminates combined SS wire mesh, perforated aluminium
[G00/G045/G00/
sheets, and E-glass fibers in various stacking sequences. The study Al045]s
concluded that the developed hybrid composite laminates exhibited [8] 2021 Al 6061 E-glass GGGG = Tensile,
excellent mechanical properties compared to conventional Glass Fiber d = 0.29, s = [G00/G045/G00/ flexural
Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer 6.3 mesh/cm G045]s
AGGG =
(CFRP) panels. Hassel bruch et al. [32] conducted experimental studies
[Al00/G045/G00/
on steel wire mesh-reinforced carbon fiber bonded with thermoplastics G045]s
to evaluate mechanical characteristics. Hybrid laminates were manu­ GAGG =
factured using a double-column hydraulic press and subjected to quasi- [G00/Al045/G00/
G045]s
static tests. The findings indicated that thermoplastic-based hybrid
GGAG =
composites could be effectively fabricated using thermoforming. The [G00/G045/Al00/
hybrid composite with a fiber direction of 450/00 demonstrated greater G045]s
stiffness, strength, and ductility compared to CFRP with a 450-degree GGGA =
orientation. Pazhanivel et al. [33] conducted experimental work to [G00/G045/G00/
Al045] s
assess the tensile and flexural strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer
AGAG =
(GFRP) laminates reinforced with stainless-steel (SS) wire mesh hybrid [Al00/G045/
laminates, comparing the results with pure GFRP laminates. Various Al00/G045]s
configurations of pure GFRP and hybrid GFRP laminates were fabri­ GAGA = [G00/
Al045/G00/
cated, considering different depths and pitch distances for the SS wire
Al045]s
mesh reinforcement. The experimental outcomes demonstrated that the [9] 2021 SS 304 E- Glass GU GA GB Tensile,
inclusion of SS wire mesh reinforcement in hybrid laminates led to d = 151 μm 400 GSM GU /SSU GA bending,
improved tensile and flexural strength. s = 282 μm t = 0.3 /SSB GB /SSB hardness,
mm GA /SSED GB ILSS
/SSED (A =
2.1. Literature survey summary Acid, B =
Base, U =
After a comprehensive discussion of studies conducted on hybrid Untreated,
composites, with a specific focus on the use of metallic wire mesh as SB = Sand
Blasted, ED
reinforcement, the outcomes are summarised in Table 2.1. This table
= Electro
serves as a valuable resource for readers, allowing them to gain a quick dissolution)
overview of various hybrid configurations of interest. Additionally, the [10] 2020 Steel 2304 Woven H H/W045/H Tensile,
table outlines the essential mechanical properties, with specific atten­ Hemp, H/W090/H Flexural,
tion given to parameters such as tensile strength, flexural strength, and Woven F F/ W045 /F F Impact,
Flax W090/F hardness
impact resistance. The subsequent section delves into the observations [11] 2020 Al and SS Woven GGG-SS-GGG Tensile,
regarding the improvements in these properties resulting from glass GGG-Al-GGG Flexural,
hybridization. Impact
[12] 2020 SS 304 d = Carbon t According to Flexural
0.1mmand d = 0.2 mm, the DOE
2.1.1. Tensile properties
= 0.05 mm 200gsm, method
Through a comprehensive analysis of the available literature, it has PVC foam,
been observed that hybrid polymer composites, such as combinations [13] 2020 Steel Woven GF/SS/PVC/ Low-velocity
involving stainless steel (SS) wire mesh and E-glass fiber [19], SS wire d = 0.8 mm glass GF/PVC/SS/ impact
mesh combined with natural fiber [20], aluminum (Al) wire mesh in­ 200gsm, GF
PVC foam
tegrated with glass fiber [8], as well as Al and copper wire mesh in
(continued on next page)
conjunction with jute fiber [16], exhibit notable enhancements in their
tensile properties. Among these, the hybrid composite comprising SS
wire mesh and glass fiber stands out with the highest tensile strength of

5
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Table 2.1 (continued ) Table 2.1 (continued )

Ref. No Year Reinforced Types of Stacking Key Ref. No Year Reinforced Types of Stacking Key
wire mesh Fiber Sequence in Properties wire mesh Fiber Sequence in Properties
material (d Fabricated material (d Fabricated
¼ wire dia., Hybrid ¼ wire dia., Hybrid
s ¼ mesh Composite s ¼ mesh Composite
opening opening
dist.) dist.)

[14] 2020 Brass Glass, G/B/G B/G/ Mechanical, d = 0.25 mm 2.54 g/ GF/SS/GF/ Flexural
nano- B (By Impact and pitch cm3 SS strength, and
silica variable vol. Fatigue distance. = 2 GF/Al/GF/Al Side Impact
fraction of behavior mm
fiber, resin, [27] 2017 SS 304 Woven Pure GFRP, Tensile
wire mesh Glass Upper side strength,
and non- Mesh Flexural
silica) + GFRP, strength and
[15] 2020 Al Kevlar, K/B/Al/B/K Tensile, Izod Core part Side Impact
banana impact mesh +
[16] 2020 Al and Jute J/Al090/J J/ Tensile, GFRP, Lower
Copper Al045/J Flexural, side mesh +
J/Cu090/J J/ Thermal, GFRP.
Cu045/J Dynamic [28] 2016 SS Glass G090/G060/ Tensile,
[17] 2020 SS304 Aloevera, A/H/F/A A/ Tensile, d = 151 µm s 400GSM G030/SS/G030/ Flexural,
flax, hemp H/F/A/B Impact Comp, = 282 µm G060/G090 INSS and Izod
A/H/W/F/A Wear, Impact
A/H/W/F/ Flexural, [29] 2016 Al foil, and Glass, GF/A/GF/ Tensile,
A/B Water wire mesh banana BF/GF/BF/ Flexural,
absorption, GF/A/GF Impact and
Hardness, (5-layer G, 2- Hardness
vibration, layer A, 2-
[18] 2020 AISI 304 Banana B00/B00/B00/B00, Tensile, layer B)
B00/B00/S00/ flexural [30] 2016 SS Jute JJ/S/JJ JJ/ Tensile,
B00/B00, B00/ impact. SS/JJ Flexure and
B090/S00/B090/ J/S/J/S/J/ Compressive
B00, B00/B045/ S/J
S00/B045/B00, [31] 2015 SS, Al E-glass A/G/S/G/A/ Tensile,
B00/B030/S00/ perforated G/S/G/A Flexure
B060/B00 andComp
[19] 2019 SS Woven GG-SS-GG Tensile, [32] 2014 Al, d = 0.5 s CFRP C3 + PPS + Tensile,
glass Flexure and = 1.6 Al + PPS + Flexural
Compressive C3
[20] 2019 SS 304 d = Woven J00-SS045-J00 J00- Tensile, [33] 2014 SS Glass G-S-GG-S-G Tensile,
0.5, s = 1.5 Jute SS090-J00 Flexural, Flexural
Impact, ILSS
[21] 2019 SS Woven G090-G060-G030- Axial Impact
glass SS-G030-G060- 346.69 MPa [11], whereas the lowest value of 20.55 MPa is seen in the
G090 case of the hybrid composite comprising stainless steel (SS) wire mesh
[22] 2019 SS (3 types) Woven SS/C/SS/C/ Tensile
d = 0.6, s = Carbon SS/C/SS,
and jute fiber [20]. This highlights the favourable impact of hybridiza­
2.57;d = t = 0.21 C/SS/C/SS/ tion on improving tensile properties, thus advocating for the utilization
0.029, s = mm C, C/SS/ of hybrid composites for such enhancements.
1.04;d = CCC/SS/CC,
0.10,s = CCC/SS/CCC
2.1.2. Flexural properties
0.154
[23] 2018 Steel, and GFRP GFRP, GFRP Damping The bonding between the metal and the fibers is crucial in deter­
SMA + SMA, mining flexural parameters like strength and modulus [26]. In com­
GFRP + SS parison with all hybrid composite, Aluminium (Al) wire mesh and glass
[24] 2018 SS 304 Glass [G/G/G/G]s, Low-velocity fiber exhibits the highest flexural strength of 502.06 MPa and for
d = 0.3 mm [G/G/G/G/ impact
s = 2.5 mm S/S]s, [G/G/
stainless steel (SS) wire mesh and E glass fiber has a flexural strength of
S/S/G/G]s, 377.57 MPa [11]. On the contrary, the hybrid composite composed of
[G/G/S/S/ stainless steel (SS) wire mesh and jute fiber reports the lowest flexural
G/G/S/S]s, strength among all hybrid composite types, standing as the least value
[G/S/S/G/
[20].
G/S/S/G]s,
[G/S/S/G/S/
S/G/G/S/S]s 2.1.3. Impact test
[25] 2018 SS Woven G-SS-G (6 Mechanical The impact test serves as a means to determine the material’s
d = 112 μm Glass specimens) and Thermal capability for energy absorption and dissipation [13]. Following surface
s = 358 μm (different wt
fraction of
treatment, stainless steel and glass fiber exhibit the highest impact
epoxy and strength at 24.60 J, which represents the peak value among all types of
glass, fixed hybrid composites [21]. Conversely, the hybrid composite involving SS
10% wt 304 and jute fiber records the lowest capacity for impact energy ab­
fraction of
sorption, measuring 1.5 J under low-velocity impact testing conditions
steel)
[26] 2018 Al6061, SS E glass GF/GF/GF/ Tensile [20]. Notably, hybrid composites derived from glass fiber outperform
304 Density GF strength, their counterparts based on natural fiber in terms of impact properties.

6
A.V. Salve and A. Mache
3. Future scope
In the pursuit of cost-effective and high-performance polymer com­
posites, the future presents promising opportunities for researchers. It
has been observed that hybrid composite has great potential to replace
metals in many applications including the transportation, shipping, and
construction industries. However, there are critical areas where re­
searchers can make substantial contributions. Firstly, the relatively un­
explored realm of natural fibers in hybrid polymer composites offers a
sustainable and cost-effective alternative to synthetic fibers, which
suffer from issues such as high costs and limited recyclability. Secondly,
optimizing the orientation of fibers and metal wire meshes within these
composites can enhance their mechanical properties, rendering them
more resilient and high-performing. Lastly, predicting the failure of
hybrid composites is crucial for ensuring their long-term reliability in
various applications. Developing accurate models for life assessment is
an urgent research requirement. By concentrating their efforts on these
areas, researchers can propel the development of advanced polymer
composites, thereby paving the way for their widespread adoption in
diverse industries.
4. Conclusion
This paper provides a concise overview of the mechanical behavior
of hybrid composites reinforced with metal wire mesh. Most of the re­
searchers worked on steel wire mesh as reinforcement along with syn­
thetic fiber in the development of hybrid polymer composite and studied
for tensile, flexural, and impact properties through experimentation and
numerical testing. After thoroughly analysing the available literature
regarding metallic reinforcement, particularly the combination of wire
mesh and fibers to produce hybrid polymer composites, following
notable conclusions have been drawn:
• Increasing the number of metal wire mesh layers within composite
laminates resulted in enhanced tensile strength, impact resistance,
and energy absorption capacity.
• Incorporating stainless-steel wire mesh within the middle layer of the
hybrid composite led to notably improved mechanical properties.
• The utilization of both carbon and stainless steel contributed to
enhanced early stiffness, maximum load-bearing capacity, and ulti­
mate strain.
• The addition of nano silica to the hybrid composite had a positive
impact on its mechanical strength.
• Among the various orientations tested (450 orientations of AWM and
CWM), mechanical properties in terms of tensile, flexural, and
impact tests exhibited excellent results.
• In impact studies, the hybrid composite without surface treatment
exhibited greater penetration depth compared to its surface-treated
counterpart.
• Researchers frequently employed explicit codes such as LS-DYNA
and ABAQUS for numerical modeling and validation purposes.
Overall, the investigation underscores the significant influence of
metal wire mesh reinforcement on the mechanical properties of hybrid
polymer composites, offering valuable insights for further research and
practical applications.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
A.V. Salve: Conceptualization, Methodology. Ashok Mache:
Writing – review & editing.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
7
Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx
the work reported in this paper.
Data availability
Data will be made available on request.
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