Journal Published Online: 12 March 2026
Volume 54, Issue 3

Development of a New Testing Procedure for Characterizing Adhesion Quality in Fabric-Reinforced Laminates—Yarn Pullout in Laminate Test

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

Fabric-reinforced laminates (FRLs) require strong fiber-matrix adhesion to prevent delamination in demanding applications such as inflatable aerospace structures. Conventional adhesion tests, such as the T-peel and lap shear methods, often fail to capture localized interactions at the yarn-matrix interface. These methods suffer from inconsistent failure modes, poor reproducibility, and limited relevance to actual delamination behavior. This study introduces the yarn pullout in the laminate test, a novel method that isolates and extracts a single yarn from within a laminate to directly assess interfacial adhesion. Kevlar-based laminates bonded with ethylene vinyl alcohol and polyurethane adhesives were fabricated, and key parameters such as yarn tail length, laminate length, and crosshead speed were optimized. Load-displacement analysis revealed distinct failure modes and adhesive behaviors. A linear relationship between cross yarn count and peak pullout force highlighted the role of mechanical interlocking. Method precision was validated through a gage repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) study simulating interlaboratory conditions, with R&R falling within ASTM-acceptable limits. Compared with the T-peel test, this method offers greater consistency, stronger relevance to service conditions, and practical ease of implementation. The yarn pullout in laminate test provides a sensitive and reproducible tool for evaluating adhesion in flexible composites, bridging the gap between microscale bonding and real-world laminate performance.

Author Information

Adekunle, Feyi
Department of Fiber and Polymer Science, Wilson College of Textiles, Raleigh, NC, USA
Li, Ang
Department of Fiber and Polymer Science, Wilson College of Textiles, Raleigh, NC, USA
Vallabh, Rahul
Department of Fiber and Polymer Science, Wilson College of Textiles, Raleigh, NC, USA
Seyam, Abdel-Fattah
Department of Fiber and Polymer Science, Wilson College of Textiles, Raleigh, NC, USA
Pages: 20
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: JTE20240278
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20240278