Effect of stitch density on fatigue characteristics and damage mechanisms of stitched carbon/epoxy composites

Arief Yudhanto, Naoyuki Watanabe, Yutaka Iwahori, Hikaru Hoshi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effect of stitch density (SD) on fatigue life, stiffness degradation and fatigue damage mechanisms in carbon/epoxy (T800SC/XNRH6813) stitched using Vectran thread is presented in this paper. Moderately stitched composite (SD = 0.028/mm2; 'stitched 6 × 6') and densely stitched composite (SD = 0.111/mm2; 'stitched 3 × 3') are tested and compared with composite without stitch thread (SD = 0.0; 'unstitched'). The experiments show that the fatigue life of stitched 3 × 3 is moderately better than that of unstitched and stitched 6 × 6. Stitched 3 × 3 pattern is also able to postpone the stiffness degradation onset. The improvement of fatigue properties and postponement of stiffness degradation onset in stitched 3 × 3 is primarily due to an effective impediment of edge-delamination. Quantification of damage at various cycles and stress levels shows that stitch density primarily affects the growth rate of delamination. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)52-65
Number of pages14
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume60
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Ceramics and Composites

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