Research has paid a lot of attention to kenaf fiber-reinforced composites and the effect of combining kenaf with synthetic fibers. One test that exerts out-of-plane loading is quasi-static penetration (QSP), which is crucial for understanding how composites behave mechanically. This study compares the damage modes of composite laminates made of glass, kenaf, and their hybrids as skins. Three different types of composites with different skin materials are fabricated to conduct this research. The results reveal that, among composites of the same weight, the hybrid skin structure performs the best resistance against penetration and has superior behaviour in terms of absorbed energy, load-carrying capacity, and damaged region area. The hybrid skin specimens absorb up to 218 more energy than the full kenaf skin composites and the hybrid skin composites’ damaged area is roughly 33 less than that of the full kenaf skin composites. Matrix cracking, Delamination, fiber fracture, and fiber splitting are composites’ most common damage modes under quasi-static penetration. Among the tested specimens, the composite structure with full kenaf skin shows the worst damage mechanism with an abrupt extensive fiber failure. The critical damage mechanism of kenaf composites can be improved by hybridizing the kenaf and glass fabrics. The results of finite element simulations are in good agreement with experimental outcomes. Using the presented hybrid natural/synthetic composite has the advantages of higher energy absorption capacity and lower fabrication cost in comparison with full glass skin specimen.
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