Delamination Buckling of Kevlar and Twaron Stitched Glass\Epoxy Composite Laminates by Experiments

In the present paper, effects of through-the-thickness stitching of delaminated glass/epoxy composite laminates with two different types of aramid threads, Kevlar® and Twaron® threads, on the buckling loads are studied. The buckling loads are predicted based on the Southwell, Vertical displacement and Membrane strain plot methods from the experimental data. Flexural modulus of the stitched and unstitched glass/epoxy composite laminates, knot tensile strength of Kevlar® and Twaron® stitching threads are obtained experimentally. From the Southwell, Vertical displacement and Membrane strain plot methods it is observed that stitching either by Kevlar® or Twaron® threads is effective in improving the buckling strength of glass/epoxy composite laminates when the delamination length is greater than 0.5L, L is the length of the laminate.