ABSTRACTThermal dynamic stability analysis is performed on periodically-loaded laminated composite plates with temperature-dependent properties. The periodic load is taken to be a combination of periodic axial and bending stress. A set of differential equations of Mathieu–Hill type is formed to determine the dynamic instability regions based on Bolotin's method. The thermal dynamic instability of laminate plates with respective temperature-dependent and temperature-independent properties is examined. The effects of various parameters on the instability region and dynamic instability index are also discussed. The results show that the temperature-dependent properties have a significant influence on the thermal dynamic behavior of laminated plates.