The Effect of Stacking Sequence Upon the Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Composite Laminates

Abstract

The effect of the laminate stacking sequence upon the tensile modulus, the ultimate tensile strength and the failure strain was determined for symmetrical 8-ply laminates of APC-2 with ±45° orientations. Classical lamination theory predicts that the stacking sequence will have no effect on these properties. However, results showed that both the strength and the failure strain increased as the ply number was increased. Fractography suggested that the stacking sequence effect was due to an increase in the amount of interlaminar and intralaminar shear with ply number.