Effect of Z-pin insertion angles on low-velocity impact mechanical response and damage mechanism of CFRP laminates with different layups

•An experimental analysis of low-velocity impact mechanical response and damage mechanism for different angle pinned laminates with different layups.•Compared with 90° pinned orthogonal laminates at 40 J impact energy, the delamination area increases with 8.7% and the dent depth increases with 8.6% when Z-pin insertion angle is 60°.•Asymmetry delamination is observed in 60° pinned orthogonal laminates because of the different Z-pin damage modes.