Damage characteristics in 3D stitched composites with various stitch parameters under in-plane tension

Arief Yudhanto, Gilles Lubineau, Isaac Aguilar Ventura, Naoyuki Watanabe, Yutaka Iwahori, Hikaru Hoshi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) reinforcement by stitching is effective in improving the impact resistance of composites. Stitching, however, adversely affects the composite's in-plane mechanical responses, and alters its damage mechanisms due to stitch-induced irregularities. We experimentally investigate the effect of two important stitch parameters, stitch density and thread diameter, on the damage characteristics of 3D stitched multidirectional composites under in-plane tension using X-ray radiography, X-ray micro-computed tomography and digital image correlation (DIC). Our study shows that composites stitched with thicker thread exhibit improved tensile strength due to effective hindrance of edge-delamination. We also found that stitch thread affects damage behaviors. A higher number of transverse cracks develops in the middle portion of thin 90° fiber tows; the inter-crack distance is reduced by dense stitching. DIC is able to identify the cracks that appear in resin-rich channels and distinguish strain fields due to different stitch densities.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17-31
Number of pages15
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume71
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Ceramics and Composites

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