Abstract:
-Pin reinforced carbon-fibre epoxy laminates were tested under Mode I and Mode
II conditions, both quasi-statically and in fatigue. Test procedures were
adapted from existing standard or pre-standard tests. Samples containing 2% and
4% areal densities of carbon-fibre Z-pins (0.28mm diameter) were compared with
unpinned laminates. Quasi-static tests under displacement control yielded a
dramatic increase of the apparent delamination resistance. Specimens with 2% pin
density failed in Mode I at loads 170N, equivalent to an apparent GIC of 2kJ/m2.
Fatigue testing under load control showed that the presence of the through-
thickness reinforcement slowed down fatigue delamination propagation.