Wrinkles are common defects in laminated composite parts manufacturing

which usually have a large impact on parts’ performance. In this paper

effects of wrinkle angles on mechanical properties were studied by fabricating serials of CFRP specimens with different wrinkle angles. Finite element analysis of tensile and compressive failure of specimens with wrinkle defects was also carried out. Studies showed that wrinkle defects seriously affect the tensile and compressive strength of composites

the bigger wrinkle angles

the lower both tensile and compressive strength. A wrinkle with the angle 16.8° can reduce the tensile strength by 21% and the compressive strength by 36%. The test results match with the simulation results. Considering the detectability of wrinkle defects by NDT and the influence of wrinkles on mechanical performance in tests and simulation

the wrinkle tolerance for designing laminate composites is recommended to be 5°.