Effect of Hole Drilling Techniques on Tensile Properties of Continuous Fiber Impregnated Thermoplastic (COFIT) Plain Weave Composites

The effect of hole drilling technique on tensile properties of COFIT plain weave composite using circular hole was investigated. As expected, the tensile properties of COFIT woven system decrease with increasing hole sizes. The laminate, which was drilled by orbital technique, seems to impart higher tensile properties and better damage resistance compared to those of conventional drilling technique. In order to predict the laminate strength with the presence of open hole, the Point Stress Criterion was used. Results indicate that good agreement was obtained between experimental and estimation tensile strengths.