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Article
Effect of Stitch Density and Stitch Thread Thickness on Low-Velocity Impact Damage of Stitched Composites
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
  • Kwek Tze Tan, University of Akron Main Campus
  • N. Watanabe
  • Y. Iwahori
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2010
Abstract

Effect of stitch density and stitch thread thickness on low-velocity impact damage of stitched composites is investigated experimentally. Physical examination on damage surfaces shows that stitches perform as crack initiators, as well as crack arrestors. Longer matrix cracks are observed in densely-stitched composites, in contrast to isolated matrix cracks found in moderately-stitched composites. Ultrasonic C-scan evidently compares the delamination areas and concludes that specimens with higher stitch density and thread thickness are more capable of impeding delamination growth by effectively bridging delamination cracks. Load–time curves reveal that the onset of delamination is not influenced by stitch density and thread thickness. Energy consumption for the impact event is evaluated and discussed with the conclusion that, although absorbed energy is independent of stitch density and thread thickness, the proportion of energy consumption for damage mechanisms like delamination, matrix cracks and stitch debonding are different for laminated composites stitched with different stitch parameters.

Citation Information
Kwek Tze Tan, N. Watanabe and Y. Iwahori. "Effect of Stitch Density and Stitch Thread Thickness on Low-Velocity Impact Damage of Stitched Composites" Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing Vol. 41 Iss. 12 (2010) p. 1857 - 1868
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kwek_tze_tan/4/