Z-pin reinforced laminates are usually manufactured by inserting the pinsvertically into the laminate. However, in the present work, we consider a method inwhich pins are inserted at an angle to the vertical to enhance pullout strength viamechanical interlocking. This method of reinforcement not only increases the contactarea of the z-pin with the laminate, but also reduces the stresses in the interface layerbetween the pin and the laminate, thus delaying delamination. Experiments wereconducted to verify computational results under tensile loading conditions onreinforced laminates manufactured from IM8-epoxy prepregs. Test results showedincrease in pullout strengths and thus the potential for increase in delaminationresistance with increasing pin angles. In addition, a novel variety of pin, namely thethreaded pin, was used to reinforce laminate specimens and tested under tensileloading. Results showed that the threaded pin provided superior pullout strengthswhen compared with laminates with smooth steel and carbon fiber inserts.
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