Delamination resistant laminates by Z-Fiber® pinning: Part I manufacture and fracture performance

The article provides an introduction into the technology of through-the-thickness reinforcement of thermosetting composites by the insertion of Z-Fiber® pins. The manufacture of the raw materials is described, as is the method of pin insertion. Delamination tests samples were prepared from unidirectional continuous carbon fibre/epoxy prepreg (IMS/924), made into 3 mm thick unidirectional laminates with and without a block of Z-pins in the crack path. Fracture testing was carried out under Mode I (standard DCB test) and Mode II (3-point-ENF) loading conditions. The data presented here were obtained by using the commonly used data reduction schemes; the applicability of such data treatment is considered.