Numerical analysis of thermodynamic behaviour of through-thickness stitched sandwich laminate

Effects of stitching angle on mechanical properties, thermal protection capability and induced thermal stress of stitched sandwich laminate (SSL) are numerically analyzed by ABAQUS codes. Interest centers on the potential for microcracking in the vicinity of the through-thickness stitches and the skins/foam interfaces. Two numerical models, in-depth heat transfer and thermoelastic deformation, are coupled to yield the transient response of the SSL. Six different stitching angles are considered and the simulation results showed that: the heat conductivity ability of the SSL is improved as the stitching angle increasing, which alters the mechanical behaviour and the thermal stress state of the SSL.