Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Hybrid Palm Fiber–Carbon Fiber Composites

Hybrid fiber‐reinforced polymer composites combining natural and synthetic reinforcements offer a promising route toward lightweight and sustainable structural materials. In this study, carbon fiber–palm tree fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were fabricated using a hand lay‐up technique with a symmetric sandwich‐type stacking sequence, where carbon fiber layers were placed on the outer surfaces and palm tree fibers formed the core. Mechanical performance was evaluated through tensile, flexural, and impact tests, while microstructural characteristics and chemical interactions were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The tensile test results showed tensile strengths ranging from 62.5 to 81.1 MPa, with a maximum Young's modulus of 3.2 GPa and tensile strain values between 3.2% and 3.5%, suggesting possible load sharing between constituents. Flexural testing revealed flexural strengths between 207.3 and 311.0 MPa and flexural moduli ranging from 21.2 to 36.35 GPa, demonstrating the dominant load‐bearing role of the carbon fiber outer layers under bending. Impact testing showed energy absorption values between 1.1 and 2.2 N.m, with average impact energy of 1.47 N.m, which may be associated with the presence of palm fiber layers. SEM analysis revealed mixed‐mode fracture features that are consistent with the observed mechanical behavior. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of characteristic functional groups suggesting chemical compatibility between constituents. Overall, the results demonstrate that carbon fiber–palm tree fiber hybrid composites fabricated via hand lay‐up exhibit mechanically viable performance levels for non‐critical lightweight structural applications, while highlighting the influence of fabrication‐induced variability on structural reliability.