Tensile and shear properties of stitched laminates in hygrothermal environment

Stitched laminates is a low-cost structure panels with carbon fiber face sheets, and through-the-thickness Kevlar stitching. Through-the thickness stitching is proposed to increase the interlaminar strength and damage tolerance of composite laminates. Tensile and shear experiment of stitched laminates at room temperature and in hygrothemal environment was carried out according to corresponding national standards. Experiment results indicate that the tensile and shear modulus and strength were much reduced by the stitching, especially in hygrothermal environment. Micrographs of fracture appearance showed that the exist of resin-rich area is the source of crack both in normal room temperature environment and hygrothermal environment. It is concluded that hygrothermal environment and initial crack in resin-rich area were prime reason for performance lost of stitched laminates.