Abstract
The work in this paper investigated the performance of composites through-thickness reinforcing Z-pins as a function of their embedded length in pre-preg laminates. Single Z-pins were inserted into multidirectional carbon fibre laminates with increasing thicknesses, corresponding to embedded lengths from 1 mm to 10 mm and tested through a range of mixed mode displacement ratios to investigate their interlaminar bridging traction response. Detailed analysis of the tests revealed a non-linear tangential friction response and its strong dependence on the embedded length of the Z-pin. Using a new power law empirical relationship for the tangential friction force per unit length, a modified Z-pin bridging traction analytical model was proposed, giving good predictions of the full mixed mode bridging mechanics of a CFRP Z-pin in a multidirectional composite laminate of varying thickness. Several characteristics of the model are discussed and their influence on the predicting the Z-pin bridging energy response have been analysed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 26–36 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Materials and Design |
| Volume | 115 |
| Early online date | 10 Nov 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Feb 2017 |
Keywords
- Structural composites
- Z-pins
- Delamination
- Fracture toughness
- Analytical model