To Improve Mixed-Mode Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Composite Sub-Structures

Abstract

The present paper investigates the influence of stitching on delamination resistance of laminated composite structures. The mixed-mode interlaminar fracture toughness, GI/IIC, of the stitched hybrid laminated composites is studied in order to investigate the resistance of the 3D-composites to the crack propagation in delaminated composite structures. To that end, the mixed-mode interlaminar fracture toughness was measured using the asymmetric double cantilever beam (ADCB) test method. The hybrid ADCB and stitched hybrid ADCB composite beams were laid-up in order to study the effect of stitching on the interlaminar fracture toughness. The test results showed that the resistance of stitched fibres against the crack propagation in stitched hybrid composites can significantly improve the mixed-mode interlaminar fracture toughness.