Multi-Criteria Optimization of Mechanical Behavior in Jute, Glass, and Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Composites Using ANOVA and AHP-TOPSIS Framework

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have emerged as high-performance materials in structural and lightweight engineering applications. However, the need to balance cost, mechanical efficiency, and sustainability has driven interest in hybrid composites integrating natural and synthetic fibers. This study presents a systematic investigation of epoxy-based hybrid laminates reinforced with jute, glass, and carbon fibers in various stacking sequences and ply orientations. A total of six composite configurations were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique, incorporating symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements. Mechanical characterization was conducted to evaluate tensile strength, flexural strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and break strain. Statistical analysis using ANOVA identified significant differences among the laminate variants, followed by Tukey’s HSD test to establish pairwise comparisons. Furthermore, a multi-criteria decision-making approach combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was employed to rank the composite designs based on their overall mechanical performance. The CG4C configuration was identified as the top-performing laminate, exhibiting superior tensile and flexural properties. Additionally, the inclusion of jute fibers in certain balanced laminate structures notably enhanced the mechanical response while contributing to material sustainability. These findings demonstrate the potential of strategically engineered hybrid composites in applications requiring optimized strength-to-weight ratios and cost-effective performance.