Standard Guide for Testing Polymer Matrix Composite Materials1 · Current edition approved Jan. 15,...

Designation: D4762 – 11

Standard Guide forTesting Polymer Matrix Composite Materials1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4762; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide summarizes the application of ASTM stan-dard test methods (and other supporting standards) tocontinuous-fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite materi-als. The most commonly used or most applicable ASTMstandards are included, emphasizing use of standards of Com-mittee D30 on Composite Materials.

1.2 This guide does not cover all possible standards thatcould apply to polymer matrix composites and restricts discus-sion to the documented scope. Commonly used but non-standard industry extensions of test method scopes, such asapplication of static test methods to fatigue testing, are notdiscussed. A more complete summary of general compositetesting standards, including non-ASTM test methods, is in-cluded in the Composite Materials Handbook (MIL-HDBK-17).2 Additional specific recommendations for testing textile(fabric, braided) composites are contained in Guide D6856.

1.3 This guide does not specify a system of measurement;the systems specified within each of the referenced standardsshall apply as appropriate. Note that the referenced standardsof ASTM Committee D30 are either SI-only or combined-unitstandards with SI units listed first.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards:3

2.1.1 Standards of Committee D30 on Composite Materials

C271/C271M Test Method for Density of Sandwich CoreMaterials

C272 Test Method for Water Absorption of Core Materialsfor Structural Sandwich Constructions

C273/C273M Test Method for Shear Properties of Sand-wich Core Materials

C297/C297M Test Method for Flatwise Tensile Strength ofSandwich Constructions

C363/C363M Test Method for Node Tensile Strength ofHoneycomb Core Materials

C364/C364M Test Method for Edgewise CompressiveStrength of Sandwich Constructions

C365/C365M Test Method for Flatwise Compressive Prop-erties of Sandwich Cores

C366/C366M Test Methods for Measurement of Thicknessof Sandwich Cores

C393/C393M Test Method for Core Shear Properties ofSandwich Constructions by Beam Flexure

C394 Test Method for Shear Fatigue of Sandwich CoreMaterials

C480/C480M Test Method for Flexure Creep of SandwichConstructions

C481 Test Method for Laboratory Aging of SandwichConstructions

C613/C613M Test Method for Constituent Content of Com-posite Prepreg by Soxhlet Extraction

D2344/D2344M Test Method for Short-Beam Strength ofPolymer Matrix Composite Materials and Their Laminates

D3039/D3039M Test Method for Tensile Properties ofPolymer Matrix Composite Materials

D3171 Test Methods for Constituent Content of CompositeMaterials

D3410/D3410M Test Method for Compressive Propertiesof Polymer Matrix Composite Materials with UnsupportedGage Section by Shear Loading

D3479/D3479M Test Method for Tension-Tension Fatigueof Polymer Matrix Composite Materials

D3518/D3518M Test Method for In-Plane Shear Responseof Polymer Matrix Composite Materials by Tensile Test ofa 645° Laminate

D3529/D3529M Test Method for Matrix Solids Content andMatrix Content of Composite Prepreg

D3530/D3530M Test Method for Volatiles Content of Com-posite Material Prepreg

1 This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on CompositeMaterials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.01 on Editorial andResource Standards.

Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2011. Published February 2011. Originallyapproved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4762 – 08. DOI:10.1520/D4762-11.

2 Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://dodssp.daps.dla.mil.

3 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.

1

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D3531 Test Method for Resin Flow of Carbon Fiber-EpoxyPrepreg

D3532 Test Method for Gel Time of Carbon Fiber-EpoxyPrepreg

D3800 Test Method for Density of High-Modulus FibersD3878 Terminology for Composite MaterialsD4018 Test Methods for Properties of Continuous Filament

Carbon and Graphite Fiber TowsD4102 Test Method for Thermal Oxidative Resistance of

Carbon FibersD4255/D4255M Test Method for In-Plane Shear Properties

of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials by the Rail ShearMethod

D5229/D5229M Test Method for Moisture AbsorptionProperties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Ma-trix Composite Materials

D5379/D5379M Test Method for Shear Properties of Com-posite Materials by the V-Notched Beam Method

D5448/D5448M Test Method for Inplane Shear Propertiesof Hoop Wound Polymer Matrix Composite Cylinders

D5449/D5449M Test Method for Transverse CompressiveProperties of Hoop Wound Polymer Matrix CompositeCylinders

D5450/D5450M Test Method for Transverse Tensile Prop-erties of Hoop Wound Polymer Matrix Composite Cylin-ders

D5467/D5467M Test Method for Compressive Propertiesof Unidirectional Polymer Matrix Composite MaterialsUsing a Sandwich Beam

D5528 Test Method for Mode I Interlaminar FractureToughness of Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced PolymerMatrix Composites

D5687/D5687M Guide for Preparation of Flat CompositePanels with Processing Guidelines for Specimen Prepara-tion

D5766/D5766M Test Method for Open-Hole TensileStrength of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates

D5961/D5961M Test Method for Bearing Response ofPolymer Matrix Composite Laminates

D6115 Test Method for Mode I Fatigue DelaminationGrowth Onset of Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced PolymerMatrix Composites

D6264/D6264M Test Method for Measuring the DamageResistance of a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Matrix Com-posite to a Concentrated Quasi-Static Indentation Force

D6415/D6415M Test Method for Measuring the CurvedBeam Strength of a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-MatrixComposite

D6416/D6416M Test Method for Two-Dimensional Flex-ural Properties of Simply Supported Sandwich CompositePlates Subjected to a Distributed Load

D6484/D6484M Test Method for Open-Hole CompressiveStrength of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates

D6507 Practice for Fiber Reinforcement Orientation Codesfor Composite Materials

D6641/D6641M Test Method for Compressive Propertiesof Polymer Matrix Composite Materials Using a Com-bined Loading Compression (CLC) Test Fixture

D6671/D6671M Test Method for Mixed Mode I-Mode IIInterlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional FiberReinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

D6742/D6742M Practice for Filled-Hole Tension and Com-pression Testing of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates

D6772 Test Method for Dimensional Stability of SandwichCore Materials

D6790 Test Method for Determining Poisson’s Ratio ofHoneycomb Cores

D6856 Guide for Testing Fabric-Reinforced “Textile” Com-posite Materials

D6873/D6873M Practice for Bearing Fatigue Response ofPolymer Matrix Composite Laminates

D7028 Test Method for Glass Transition Temperature(DMA Tg) of Polymer Matrix Composites by DynamicMechanical Analysis (DMA)

D7078/D7078M Test Method for Shear Properties of Com-posite Materials by V-Notched Rail Shear Method

D7136/D7136M Test Method for Measuring the DamageResistance of a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Com-posite to a Drop-Weight Impact Event

D7137/D7137M Test Method for Compressive ResidualStrength Properties of Damaged Polymer Matrix Compos-ite Plates

D7205/D7205M Test Method for Tensile Properties of Fi-ber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite Bars

D7248/D7248M Test Method for Bearing/Bypass Interac-tion Response of Polymer Matrix Composite LaminatesUsing 2-Fastener Specimens

D7249/D7249M Test Method for Facing Properties ofSandwich Constructions by Long Beam Flexure

D7250/D7250M Practice for Determining Sandwich BeamFlexural and Shear Stiffness

D7264/D7264M Test Method for Flexural Properties ofPolymer Matrix Composite Materials

D7291/D7291M Test Method for Through-Thickness “Flat-wise” Tensile Strength and Elastic Modulus of a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite Material

D7332/D7332M Test Method for Measuring the FastenerPull-Through Resistance of a Fiber-Reinforced PolymerMatrix Composite

D7336/D7336M Test Method for Static Energy AbsorptionProperties of Honeycomb Sandwich Core Materials

D7337/D7337M Test Method for Tensile Creep Rupture ofFiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite Bars

D7522/D7522M Test Method for Pull-Off Strength for FRPBonded to Concrete Substrate

D7565/D7565M Test Method for Determining TensileProperties of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Compos-ites Used for Strengthening of Civil Structures

E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-ReinforcedPolymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases

E1434 Guide for Recording Mechanical Test Data of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials in Databases

E1471 Guide for Identification of Fibers, Fillers, and CoreMaterials in Computerized Material Property Databases

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2Copyright ASTM International Provided by IHS under license with ASTM Licensee=Nanyang Technological Univ/5926867100, User=Zhong, Yucheng


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F1645/F1645M Test Method for Water Migration in Hon-eycomb Core Materials2.1.2 Standards of Committee D20 on Plastics

C581 Practice for Determining Chemical Resistance ofThermosetting Resins Used in Glass-Fiber-ReinforcedStructures Intended for Liquid Service

D256 Test Methods for Determining the Izod PendulumImpact Resistance of Plastics

D543 Practices for Evaluating the Resistance of Plastics toChemical Reagents

D570 Test Method for Water Absorption of PlasticsD618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for TestingD638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of PlasticsD648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics

Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise PositionD671 Test Method for Flexural Fatigue of Plastics by

Constant-Amplitude-of-Force4

D695 Test Method for Compressive Properties of RigidPlastics

D696 Test Method for Coefficient of Linear Thermal Ex-pansion of Plastics Between Ø30°C and 30°C with aVitreous Silica Dilatometer

D790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforcedand Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials

D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement

D953 Test Method for Bearing Strength of PlasticsD1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-

Gradient TechniqueD1822 Test Method for Tensile-Impact Energy to Break

Plastics and Electrical Insulating MaterialsD2471 Practice for Gel Time and Peak Exothermic Tem-

perature of Reacting Thermosetting Resins4

D2583 Test Method for Indentation Hardness of RigidPlastics by Means of a Barcol Impressor

D2584 Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured ReinforcedResins

D2734 Test Methods for Void Content of Reinforced Plas-tics

D2990 Test Methods for Tensile, Compressive, and Flex-ural Creep and Creep-Rupture of Plastics

D3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures and En-thalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers byDifferential Scanning Calorimetry

D3846 Test Method for In-Plane Shear Strength of Rein-forced Plastics

D4065 Practice for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Proper-ties: Determination and Report of Procedures

D4473 Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic MechanicalProperties: Cure Behavior

D5083 Test Method for Tensile Properties of ReinforcedThermosetting Plastics Using Straight-Sided Specimens

D6272 Test Method for Flexural Properties of Unreinforcedand Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materialsby Four-Point Bending

2.1.3 Standards of Other ASTM CommitteesE228 Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid

Materials With a Push-Rod DilatometerE289 Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Rigid

Solids with InterferometryE1269 Test Method for Determining Specific Heat Capacity

by Differential Scanning CalorimetryE1461 Test Method for Thermal Diffusivity by the Flash

MethodE1922 Test Method for Translaminar Fracture Toughness of

Laminated and Pultruded Polymer Matrix Composite Ma-terials

3. Terminology

3.1 Definitions related to composite materials are defined inTerminology D3878.

3.2 Symbology for specifying the orientation and stackingsequence of a composite laminate is defined in Practice D6507.

3.3 For purposes of this document, “low modulus” compos-ites are defined as being reinforced with fibers having amodulus #20 GPa (#3.0 3 106 psi), while “high-modulus”composites are reinforced with fiber having a modulus >20GPa (>3.0 3 106 psi).

4. Significance and Use

4.1 This guide is intended to aid in the selection of standardsfor polymer matrix composite materials. It specifically sum-marizes the application of standards from ASTM CommitteeD30 on Composite Materials that apply to continuous-fiberreinforced polymer matrix composite materials. For referenceand comparison, many commonly used or applicable ASTMstandards from other ASTM Committees are also included.

5. Standard Specimen Preparation

5.1 Preparation of polymer matrix composite test specimensis described in Guide D5687/D5687M.

6. Standard Test Methods

6.1 ASTM test methods for the evaluation of polymermatrix composites are summarized in the tables. Advantages,disadvantages, and other comments for each test method areincluded where appropriate. Where possible, a single preferredtest method is identified.

TEST METHOD CATEGORY TABLE

Lamina/Laminate Static Properties Table 1Lamina/Laminate Dynamic Properties Table 2Laminate/Structural Response Table 3Sandwich Constructions Table 4Constituent/Precursor/Thermophysical Properties Table 5Environmental Conditioning/Resistance Table 6

7. Standard Data Reporting

7.1 Constituent Material Description—Data reporting ofthe description of composite material constituents is docu-mented in Guide E1471.

7.2 Composite Material Description—Data reporting of thedescription of composite materials is documented in GuideE1309.

4 Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referencedon www.astm.org.

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TABLE 1 Lamina/Laminate Static Test Methods

Test Method Specimen Measured PropertyDescription and

AdvantagesDisadvantages Comments

In-Plane Tensile Test Methods

D3039/D3039M Tensile Strength Straight sidedspecimen. Suitable forboth random,discontinuous andcontinuous-fibercomposites. Tabbedand untabbedconfigurationsavailable.

Tabbed configurationsrequire carefuladhesive selectionand special specimenpreparation.Certain laminatelayups prone to edgedelamination whichcan affect tensilestrength results.

Preferred for most uses.Provides additionalconfigurations, requirements,and guidance that are not foundin D5083.Limited to laminates that arebalanced and symmetric withrespect to the test direction.

Tensile Modulus,Poisson’s Ratio,Stress-StrainResponse

Requires use of strainor displacementtransducers.Modulusmeasurements do notrequire use of tabs.

Modulus measurementstypically robust.

D638 Tensile Strength,Tensile Modulus

“Dumbbell” shapedspecimen.Ease of test specimenpreparation.

Stress concentrationat the radii.Unsuitable for highlyoriented fibercomposites.

Not recommended for high-modulus composites.Technically equivalent to ISO527-1.

D5083 Tensile Strength,Tensile Modulus

Straight-sided,untabbed specimenonly.

Suitable for plasticsand low-moduluscomposites.

A straight-sided alternative toD638.Technically equivalent to ISO527-4 except as noted below:(a) This test method does notinclude testing of the Type Idog-bone shaped specimendescribed in ISO 527-4. Testingof this type of specimen,primarily used for reinforcedand unreinforced thermoplasticmaterials, is described in D638.(b) The thickness of testspecimens in this test methodincludes the 2 mm to 10 mmthickness range of ISO 527-4,but expands the allowable testthickness to 14 mm.

D5450/D5450M Transverse (90°)Tensile Strength

Hoop wound cylinderwith all 90° (hoop)plies loaded in axialtension.Develops data forspecialized process/form.

Limited to hoop-wound cylinders.Limited to transversetensile properties.Must bond specimento fixture.

Must ensure adequate bondingto fixture.

In-Plane Compression Test Methods

D6641/D6641M Compressive Strength Untabbed, or tabbedstraight-sidedspecimen loaded via acombination of shearand end-loading.Smaller lighter, lessexpensive fixture thanthat of D3410/D3410M.Better also at non-ambient environments.Suitable forcontinuous fibercomposites.

Tabbed specimensare required fordeterminingcompressive strengthof laminatescontaining more than50% 0° plies.

Preferred method.Thickness must be sufficient toprevent column buckling.Limited to laminates that arebalanced and symmetric andcontain at least one 0° ply.For strength determination,untabbed specimens are limitedto a maximum of 50 % 0° plies,or equivalent.

CompressiveModulus, Poisson’sRatio,Stress-StrainResponse

Requires use of strainor displacementtransducers.

Unidirectional tape or towcomposites can be tested usinguntabbed specimens todetermine unidirectionalmodulus and Poisson’s ratio.

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TABLE 1 Continued



D695 CompressiveStrength,Compressive Modulus

“Dogbone” shapedspecimen with loadingapplied at the endsvia a platen.Tabs are optional.

Failure mode is oftenend-crushing.Stress concentrationsat radii. Specimenmust be dog bonedand ends must beaccurately machined.No assessment ofalignment.

Not recommended for highlyoriented or continuous fibercomposites.Modified version of D695released as SACMA SRM 1test method is widely used inaerospace industry, but ASTMD30 and MIL-HDBK-17 preferuse of D6641/D6641M method.

D3410/D3410M Compressive Strength Straight sidedspecimen with loadapplied by shear viafixture grips.Suitable for random,discontinuous andcontinuous fibercomposites.Tabbed and untabbedconfigurationsavailable.

Strain gages requiredto verify alignment.Poor for non-ambienttesting due tomassive fixture.

Expensive and heavy/bulkyfixturing.Thickness must be sufficient toprevent column buckling.

CompressiveModulus, Poisson’sRatio,Stress-StrainResponse

Requires use of strainor displacementtransducers.

D5467/D5467M CompressiveStrength,CompressiveModulus, Stress-Strain Response

Sandwich beamspecimen loaded in4-point bending.Intended result is acompression failuremode of thefacesheet.Data is especiallyapplicable to sandwichstructures.Fixturing is simplecompared to othercompression tests.

An expensivespecimen that is notrecommended unlessthe structure warrantsits use.Strain gages requiredto obtain modulusand strain-to-failuredata.Narrow (1 in. wide)specimen may not besuitable for materialswith coarse features,such as fabrics withlarge filament counttows (12K or more) orcertain braidedmaterials.

Must take care to avoid corefailure modes.Limited to high-moduluscomposites.Due to the nature of thespecimen construction andapplied flexural loading theseresults may not be equivalent toa similar laminate tested byother compression methodssuch as D3410/D3410M orD6641/D6641M.

D5449/D5449M Transverse (90°)Compressive Strength

Hoop-wound cylinderwith all 90° (hoop)plies loaded incompression.Develops data forspecialized process/form.

Limited to hoop-wound cylinders.Limited to transversecompressiveproperties.Must bond specimento fixture.


In-Plane Shear Test Methods

D3518/D3518M Shear Strength,Shear Modulus,Stress-StrainResponse

Tensile test of [+45/-45]ns layup.Simple test specimenand test method.

Poor specimen formeasuring ultimateshear strength due tolarge non-linearresponse.Limited to materialforms/processes thatcan be made in flat645° form.Biaxial transducersrequired to obtainmodulus and strain-to-failure data.

Widely used due to its low costand relationship to actualstructural laminates.

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TABLE 1 Continued




V-notched specimenloaded in specialbending fixture.Along with D7078/D7078M, provides thebest shear responseof the standardizedmethods.Provides shearmodulus and strength.Can be used to testmost composite types.Produces a relativelypure and uniformshear stress state.

May be necessary totab the specimen.Specimen can bedifficult to machine.Biaxial strain gagesrequired to obtainmodulus and strain-to-failure data.Requires good strain-gage installationtechnique.In-plane tests notsuitable for materialswith coarse features,such as fabrics withlarge filament counttows (12K or more) orcertain braidedmaterials.Unacceptable failuremodes, especiallywith high-strengthlaminates, can occurdue to localizedfailure of thespecimen at theloading points.

Recommended for quantitativedata, or where shear modulusor stress/strain data arerequired. Enables correlationwith out-of-plane properties.Must monitor strain data forspecimen buckling.Limited to the following forms:(a) unidirectional tape or towlaminates with fibers parallel orperpendicular to loading axis.(b) woven fabric laminates withthe warp direction parallel orperpendicular to loading axis.(c) laminates with equalnumbers of 0° and 90° plieswith the 0° plies parallel orperpendicular to loading axis.(d) short-fiber composites withmajority of the fibers randomlydistributed.The most accurate modulusmeasurements obtained fromlaminates of the [0/90] family.


Rail shear methods.Suitable for bothrandom andcontinuous fibercomposites.

Difficult test to run.Historically has hadpoor reproducibility.Stress concentrationsat gripping areas.Strain gages requiredto obtain modulusand strain-to-failuredata.

Expensive specimen.Best reserved for testing oflaminates.


Hoop-wound cylinderwith all 90° (hoop)plies loaded in torsion.Develops data forspecialized process/form.

Limited to hoop-wound cylinders.Limited to in-planeshear properties.Must bond specimento fixture.



V-notched specimenloaded in rail shearfixture.Along with D5379/D5379M, provides thebest shear responseof the standardizedmethods.Provides shearmodulus and strength.Can be used to testmost composite types.Produces a relativelypure and uniformshear stress state.Generally does notrequire tabs.Permits testing offabric and textilecomposites with largeunit cells.Less susceptible toloading point failuresthan D5379/D5379M.

Specimen can bedifficult to machine.Biaxial strain gagesrequired to obtainmodulus and strain-to-failure data.Requires good strain-gage installationtechnique.

Recommended for quantitativedata, or where shear modulusor stress/strain data arerequired.Enables correlation with out-of-plane properties.Must monitor strain data forspecimen buckling.Material form limitations areequivalent to those for D5379/D5379M. The most accuratemodulus measurementsobtained from laminates of the[0/90} family.

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TABLE 1 Continued



Out-of-Plane Tensile Test Methods

D6415/D6415M Curved LaminateStrength

Right-angle curvedlaminate specimenloaded in 4-pointbending.Suitable forcontinuous fibercomposites.

A complex stressstate is generated inthe specimen thatmay cause anunintended complexfailure mode.There is typically alarge amount ofscatter in the curvedbeam strength data.While the failuremode is largely out-of-plane, the result isgenerally considereda structural test of acurved beam ratherthan a materialproperty.

Limited to composites withdefined layers (no through-the-thickness reinforcement).For structural comparison, thesame manufacturing processshould be used for both the testspecimen and the structure.Non-standard versions of thecurved-beam test yield adifferent stress state that mayaffect the strength and failuremode.

Interlaminar TensileStrength

See above. See above. Tests for interlaminar tensilestrength limited to unidirectionalmaterials with fibers orientedcontinuously along the legs andaround the bend.

D7291/D7291M Flatwise TensileStrength, FlatwiseModulus

Cylindrical or reducedgage section “spool”specimen loaded intension.Uses adhesivelybonded thick metalend-tabs for loadintroduction.Suitable forcontinuous ordiscontinuous fibercomposites.Subjects a relativelylarge volume ofmaterial to an almostuniform stress field.

Results are sensitiveto system alignmentand load eccentricity.Surface finish andparallelism affectstrength results.Results are sensitiveto thermal residualstresses, adhesive,and surfacepreparation at end-tab bondlines.

Requires bonding andmachining of laminate and end-tabs.End-tabs may be reused withingeometric limits.Low crosshead displacementrate (0.1 mm/mim [0.005 in./min].Valid tests require failures awayfrom the end-tab bondline.

Out-of-Plane Shear Test Methods

D2344/D2344M Short Beam Strength Short rectangularbeam specimenloaded in 3-pointbending.Short Beam Strengthis a good indicator ofresin-dominatedproperties.Simple, inexpensivespecimen and testconfiguration.

Short Beam Strengthmay be related tointerlaminar shearstrength, but thestress state is quitemixed, and so resultsare not recommendedas an assessment ofshear strength due tostress concentrationsand high secondarystresses at loadingpoints.Shear moduluscannot be measured.

Intended primarily for qualitycontrol, comparative data, andassessment of environmentaleffects.

D5379/D5379M Interlaminar ShearStrength,Interlaminar ShearModulus

V-notched specimenloaded in specialbending fixture.Along with D7078/D7078M, provides thebest shear responseof the standardizedmethods.Provides shearmodulus and strength.Can be used to testmost composites.Produces a relativelypure and uniformshear stress state.

May be necessary totab the specimen.Specimen can bedifficult to machine.Strain gages requiredto obtain modulusand strain-to-failuredata.Requires good strain-gage installationtechnique.Requires a very thicklaminate, 20 mm(0.75 in.) for out-of-plane properties.

Recommended for quantitativedata, or where shear modulusor stress/strain data arerequired.Enables correlation with in-plane properties.Must monitor strain data forspecimen buckling.

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7.3 Composite Material Test Data—Data reporting of me-chanical test data results for composite materials is docu-mented in Guide E1434.

8. Keywords

8.1 bearing strength; bearing-bypass interaction; coefficientof thermal expansion; composite materials; composites; com-pression; compressive strength; constituent content; crack-growth testing; creep; creep strength; CTE; curved-beam

strength; damage; damage resistance; damage tolerance; datarecording; data records; delamination; density; drop-weightimpact; elastic modulus; fastener pull-through; fatigue; fiber;fiber volume; filament; filled-hole compression strength; filled-hole tensile strength; flatwise tensile strength; flexural modu-lus; flexure; fracture; fracture toughness; gel time; glasstransition temperature; hoop-wound; impact; impact strength;lamina; laminate; matrix content; mixed mode; mode I; modeII; mode III; modulus of elasticity; moisture content; moisture

TABLE 1 Continued



D3846 Shear Strength Specimen with twomachined notchesloaded incompression.Suitable for randomlydispersed andcontinuous fiberreinforced materials.May be preferable toD2344/D2344M formaterials withrandomly dispersedfiber orientations.

Failures may besensitive to accuracyof notch machining.Stress concentrationsat notches.Failure may beinfluenced by theapplied compressionstress. Requires post-failure measurementof shear area. Shearmodulus cannot bemeasured.

Specimen loaded incompression utilizing the D695loading/stabilizing jig.Shear loading occurs in a planebetween two machinednotches. Often a problematictest. Note that this is an out-of-plane shear test (usingrecognized terminology),despite the title that indicatesin-plane shear loading.

D7078/D7078M Interlaminar ShearStrength,Interlaminar ShearModulus

V-notched specimenloaded in rail shearfixture. Along withD5379/D5379M,provides the bestshear response of thestandardized methods.Provides shearmodulus and strength.Can be used to testmost composites.Produces a relativelypure and uniformshear stress state.Less susceptible toloading point failuresthan D5379/D5379M.

Specimen can bedifficult to machine.Strain gages requiredto obtain modulusand strain-to-failuredata.Requires good strain-gage installationtechnique.Requires anextremely thicklaminate, typicallyconsisting of multipleco-bonded sub-laminates, for out-of-plane properties.

Recommended for quantitativedata, or where shear modulusor stress/strain data arerequired.Enables correlation with in-plane properties. Must monitorstrain data for specimenbuckling.

Laminate Flexural Test Methods

D790 Flexural Strength,Flexural Modulus,Flexural Stress-StrainResponse

Flat rectangularspecimen loaded in3-point bending.Suitable for randomlydispersed andcontinuous fiberreinforced materials.Ease of test specimenpreparation andtesting.

Stress concentrationsand secondarystresses at loadingpoints.Results sensitive tospecimen and loadinggeometry, strain rate.

Failure mode may be tension,compression, shear, orcombination.

D6272 Flexural Strength,Flexural Modulus,Flexural Stress-StrainResponse

Flat rectangularspecimen loaded in4-point bending.Suitable for randomlydispersed andcontinuous fiberreinforced materials.Ease of test specimen preparation andtesting.Choice of twoprocedures enableadjustable tension/compression/shear load distribution.

Center-pointdeflection requiressecondaryinstrumentation.Results sensitive tospecimen and loadinggeometry, strain rate.Span-to-depth ratiomust increase forlaminates with hightensile strength withrespect to in-planeshear strength.

The quarter-span version isrecommended for highmoduluscomposites.Failure mode may be tension,compression, shear, orcombination.

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diffusivity; OHC; OHT; open-hole compressive strength; open-hole tensile strength; out-of-plane compressive strength; out-

of-plane shear strength; out-of-plane tensile strength; panel;plate; Poisson’s ratio; polymer matrix composites; prepreg;

TABLE 1 Continued



D6416/D6416M Pressure-DeflectionResponse,Pressure-StrainResponse,Plate Bending andShear Stiffness

Two-dimensional plateflexure induced by awell-defineddistributed load.Apparatus,instrumentationensure appliedpressure distribution isknown.Failures typicallyinitiate away fromedges.Specimens arerelatively large,facilitating study ofmanufacturing defectsand process variables.

For studies of failuremechanics and otherquantitative sandwichanalyses, only smallpanel deflections areallowed.The test fixture isnecessarily moreelaborate, and somecalibration is requiredto verify simply-supported boundaryconditions.Results highlydependent uponpanel edge boundaryconditions andpressure distribution.Relatively largespecimen andsupport fixturegeometry.

The same caveats applying toD7249/D7249M could apply toD6416/D6416M.However, this method is notlimited to sandwich composites;D6416/D6416M can be used toevaluate the 2-dimensionalflexural properties of anysquare plate.Distributed load is providedusing a water-filled bladder.Ratio of support span toaverage specimen thicknessshould be between 10 to 30.

D7264/D7264M Flexural Strength,Flexural Modulus,Flexural Stress-StrainResponse

Recommended forhigh-moduluscomposites.Flat rectangularspecimen loaded in 3or 4-point bending.Suitable for randomlydispersed andcontinuous fiberreinforced materials.Ease of test specimenpreparation andtesting.Standardized load andsupport spans tosimplify calculationsand to standardizegeometry.

Center-pointdeflectionmeasurementrequires secondaryinstrumentation.Results sensitive tospecimen and loadinggeometry, strain rate.Span-to-depth ratiomay need to increasefor laminates withhigh tensile strengthwith respect to in-plane shear strength.

Standard support span-to-thickness ratio is 32:1.For 4-point load, load points areset at one-half of the supportspan.Failure mode may be tension,compression, shear, orcombination.

Fracture Toughness Test Methods

D5528 Mode I InterlaminarFracture Toughness,GIc

Flat rectangularspecimen withdelamination insertloaded in tension.Suitable forunidirectional tape ortow laminates.Relatively stabledelamination growth.

Specimens must behinged at the loadingpoints.Crack growth notalways well behaved.

Calculations assume linearelastic behavior.Crack growth should beobserved from both sides of thespecimen.

D6671/D6671M Mixed Mode I/IIInterlaminar FractureToughness, Gc

Flat rectangularspecimen withdelamination insertloaded in bending.Suitable forunidirectional tape ortow laminates.Tests at most modemixtures.Constant modemixtures with crackgrowth.Can obtain initiationand propagationtoughness values.

Specimens must behinged at the loadingpoints. Crack growthnot always wellbehaved.Complicated loadingapparatus.

Good alignment is critical.Calculations assume linearelastic behavior.

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reinforcement; reinforcement content; reinforcement volume;resin; resin content; sandwich construction; shear; shear modu-lus; shear strength; short-beam strength; specific heat; strainenergy release rate; strength; structure; tensile strength; ten-

sion; thermal conductivity; thermal diffusivity; thermal expan-sion coefficient; tow; V-notched beam strength; void content;winding; yarn

TABLE 1 Continued



E1922 Translaminar FractureToughness, KTL

Flat rectangularspecimen containingan edge notch loadedin tension.Simple test toperform.

Results are only validfor the particularlaminate tested.Laminates producinglarge damage zonesdo not give validvalues.

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TABLE 2 Lamina/Laminate Dynamic Test Methods



In-Plane Tension/Tension Fatigue Test MethodsD3479/D3479M Tension-Tension Stress-

Cycles (S-N) DataUses D3039/D3039Mtensile test specimen, withaxial tension-tensioncyclic loading.Suitable for both randomand continuous-fibercomposites.

Stress concentrations atthe end tabs.End tab machining andbonding required.

Careful specimenpreparation is critical.Appropriate specimengeometry may vary frommaterial to material.User should be preparedto do preliminary fatiguetests to optimize tabconfigurations andmaterials.

In-Plane Flexural Fatigue Test MethodsD671 Flexural Stress-Cycles

(S-N) DataConstant-force cantileverspecimen.Inexpensive high cyclefatigue (HCF) method.

Stress concentrations atnotches.Results sensitive tospecimen thickness.Not suitable forcontinuous-fibercomposites.

This test method shouldnot be used forcontinuous-fibercomposites.Flexural tests are typicallyconsidered structuraltests, not materialproperty tests.

Fatigue Crack-Growth/Toughness Test MethodsD6115 Mode I Fatigue

Delamination Initiation;Toughness-Cycles (G-N)Data

Uses D5528 DCBspecimen, with cyclicloading.Produces thresholdfatigue data(GImax versus N).

Does not produce da/dNdata.The limitations andcomments for D5528 alsoapply.

Tensile Creep Test MethodsD2990 Tensile Strain versus Time Uses D638 tensile

specimen, with long-duration loading.Ease of test specimenpreparation.

Stress concentrations atspecimen radii.

Not suitable forcontinuous fibercomposites; instead useD3039/D3039M typespecimen.

Flexural Creep Test MethodsD2990 Flexural Deflection versus

TimeUses D790 flexurespecimen, with long-duration loading.Includes both 3 and4-point bending testsetups.Simple to set up and run.

Continuous-fiber flexuralmaterial response iscomplex, making resultshard to interpret orgeneralize.Results sensitive tospecimen and loadinggeometry.Failure mode may vary.

Not widely used inadvanced compositesindustry.

Tensile Impact Test MethodsD1822 Tensile Impact Energy of

RuptureRelatively inexpensivetest machine.

Stress concentrations atthe radii.Very small testspecimens.Not instrumented.

Not suitable forcontinuous fibercomposites.

Flexural Impact Test MethodsD256 Impact Energy of Rupture Notched specimen.

Flexibility in testingmethods.

Not instrumented.Varying failure modes.Sensitive to test specimengeometry variations.

This test provides astructural impact property,not a material impactproperty.

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TABLE 3 Laminate/Structural Test Methods



Notched Laminate Tension Test MethodsD5766/D5766M Open Hole Tensile

StrengthStraight-sided, untabbed,open hole configuration.Procedure nearlyequivalent to D3039/D3039M.

Limited to multi-directionallaminates with balancedand symmetric stackingsequences.

Providesrequirements andguidance onspecimenconfiguration andfailure modes.

D6742/D6742M Filled Hole TensileStrength

Straight-sided, untabbed,filled hole configuration.Procedure and specimennearly equivalent toD3039/D3039M, D5766/D5766M.

Same as D5766/D5766M. Same as D5766/D5766M.Also providesguidance on holetolerances, fastenertorque/preload.

Notched Laminate Compression Test MethodsD6484/D6484M Open Hole Compressive

StrengthStraight-sided, untabbed,open hole configuration.Fixture can be loadedusing either hydraulicgrips or end platens.

Limited to multi-directionallaminates with balancedand symmetric stackingsequences.

Providesrequirements andguidance onspecimenconfiguration andfailure modes.

D6742/D6742M Filled Hole CompressiveStrength

Straight-sided, untabbed,filled hole configuration.Procedure, specimen andapparatus nearlyequivalent to D6484/D6484M.

Same as D6484/D6484M. Same as D6484/D6484M.Also providesguidance on holetolerances, fastenertorque/preload.

Bolted Joint Test MethodsD953 Static Pin Bearing

StrengthOne fastener, doubleshear pin bearingspecimen.Two methods available:tensile and compressivepin bearing.Monitors global loadversus deformationbehavior.

Focus is plastics.Does not account forvarious fastenergeometries, torque/preload levels.Deformation local to holeis not measured.

Some specimengeometricproperties (forexample, width/diameter ratio) varyfrom D5961/D5961M guidelines.Not recommendedfor continuous fibercomposites.

D5961/D5961M Static Bearing Strength One and two fastenerdouble and single shearbearing specimens loadedin tension or compression.Multiple specimenconfigurations provided toassess a variety ofstructural jointconfigurations.Procedures provided tomonitor inelasticdeformation behavior athole.

Limited to multi-directionallaminates with balancedand symmetric stackingsequences. Responsehighly dependent uponspecimen configurationand fastener torque/preload.Limited to bearing failuremodes only. Some detailsof specimenconfigurations are notsuitable for determiningbypass failure strengths.

Providesrequirements andguidance onspecimenconfiguration, typeof loading, holetolerances, fastenertorque/preload andfailure modes.

D6873/D6873M Bearing Stress-Cycles(S-N) Data

Specimen and apparatusequivalent to D5961/D5961M, with cyclicloading proceduresprovided to monitor holeelongation for a variety ofjoint configurations andfatigue loading conditions.

Same as D5961/D5961M.Certain tests may requirefastener removal or avariant quasi-staticloading ratio to monitorhole elongation.

Same as D5961/D5961M. Alsoprovides guidanceon fatigue loadingratio effects.Currently limited toD5961/D5961MProcedure A and Bspecimenconfigurations.

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TABLE 3 Continued



D7248/D7248M Bearing-BypassInteraction

One and two fastenerdouble and single shearspecimens loaded intension or compression.Multiple specimenconfigurations provided toassess a variety of jointconfigurations andfastener force proportions,optimized to promotebypass-dominated failuremodes.

Limited to multidirectionallaminates with balancedand symmetric stackingsequences.Response highlydependent uponspecimen configurationand fastener torque/preload.Limited to bypass failuremodes only.Procedure C requiresdoubler plate calibrationto extract fastener forceproportion values.

Providesrequirements andguidance onspecimenconfiguration, typeof loading, holetolerances, fastenertorque/preload,failure modes, andfastener forceproportionmeasurement.

D7332/D7332M Fastener Pull-ThroughResistance

Two specimenconfigurations, ProcedureA (compression-loadedfixture) for fastenerscreening, Procedure B(tension-loaded fixture) forcomposite jointconfigurationassessments.

Limited to multidirectionallaminates with balancedand symmetric stackingsequences. Responsehighly dependent uponspecimen configurationand fastenercharacteristics.

Providesrequirements andguidance onspecimenconfiguration, holetolerances, fastenercharacteristics,failure modes, andforce-displacementresponsecharacterization.

Static Indentation and Impact Damage Resistance Test MethodsD2583 Indentation Hardness Provides a relative

measure of hardnessbased upon load versusindentation depthresponse.Barcol impressor isportable, and load isapplied by hand.

Focus is plastics and low-modulus composites.Does not record forceversus indentation depthresponse.Does not evaluateresulting damage state.

Uses flat-tippedindenter.

D6264/D6264M Static IndentationDamage Resistance(Force-IndenterDisplacement Response,Dent Depth,Damage Characteristics)

Flat rectangular laminatedplate subject to a staticpoint loading.Permits damageresistance testing ofsimply-supported andrigidly backed platespecimens. Uses aconventional testingmachine.Contact force andindenter displacementdata are obtained.

Limited to continuous fibercomposites withoutthrough-the-thicknessreinforcement.Test method does notaddress dynamicindentation effects.Narrow range ofpermissible specimenthicknesses.

Uses 12.7 mm(0.50 in.) diameterhemisphericalindenter.Often used toapproximate thedamage statecaused by adynamic impact.Multi-directionalfiber laminates withbalanced andsymmetric stackingsequences areusually used.The damageresponse is afunction of theindentor geometry,support conditionsand specimenconfiguration.

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TABLE 3 Continued



D7136/D7136M Drop-Weight ImpactDamage Resistance(Indenter Contact Forceand Velocity versus Time,Dent Depth, DamageCharacteristics)

Flat rectangular laminatedplate subject to a dynamicdropweight point loading.Permits damageresistance testing ofsimply-supported platespecimens.Uses a dedicateddropweight device,preferably with velocitydetection equipment.

Limited to continuous fibercomposites withoutthrough-the-thicknessreinforcement.Results are very sensitiveto impactor mass,diameter, drop height, andother parameters.Narrow range ofpermissible specimenthicknesses.

Uses 16 mm (0.625in.) diameterhemisphericalindenter.Multi-directionalfiber laminates withbalanced andsymmetric stackingsequences areusually used.The damageresponse is afunction of theimpactor mass andgeometry, dropheight, supportconditions andspecimenconfiguration.

Static Indentation and Impact Damage Tolerance Test MethodsD7137/D7137M Compression Residual

Strength and DeformationFlat rectangular laminatedplate, previously damagedthrough static indentationor dropweight impact,subjected to staticcompressive loading witha picture-frame testfixture.

Limited to continuous fibercomposites withoutthrough-the-thicknessreinforcement.Results are very sensitiveto pre-existent damagestate, edge-restraintconditions, and otherparameters.Narrow range ofpermissible specimenthicknesses.

Multi-directionalfiber laminates withbalanced andsymmetric stackingsequences areusually used.Initial damagediameter is limitedto half thespecimen width.Results are specificto the testconfiguration anddamage stateevaluated.

Trans-laminar Fracture Test MethodsE1922 Translaminar Fracture

Toughness, KTL

Flat rectangular specimencontaining an edge notchloaded in tension.Simple test to perform

Results only valid for theparticular laminate tested;laminates producing largedamage zones do notgive valid values

Reinforcement Bar Test MethodsD7205/D7205M Composite Bar Tensile

StrengthBar typically bonded withanchors to avoid grip endfailures.

Nominal cross-sectionalarea is determinedvolumetrically, is anaverage value.

Specific to tensileelements used inreinforced,prestressed, orpost-tensionedconcrete.

D7337/D7337M Composite Bar TensileCreep Rupture

Same specimen asD7205/D7205M,subjected to a constantsustained tensile force.

Same as D7205/D7205M.Spare specimens must betested to attain minimumspecimen counts in caseinvalid failures occur.

A minimum of fourforce ratios arerequired tocalculate the one-million hour creeprupture capacity.

Test Methods for Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Matrix Composites Used to Strengthen Civil StructuresD7565/D7565M Tensile Properties

(Force/Width, Stiffness)Provides procedures forpreparingand testing FRPcomposites.References D3039/D3039M for specimentesting.

Calculations are baseduponforce per unit widthdue to high potentialvariationin FRP laminatethickness.

Covers testing ofbothwet-layup andpreimpregnatedFRP composites.

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TABLE 3 Continued



D7522/D7522M Pull-Off Bond Strength Adhesion test device isattached to a circularsample of FRP bonded toa concrete substrate.Tensile force is appliednormal to the plane of theFRP-concrete bond. Usedin both laboratory andfield applications tocontrol quality of FRP andadhesives.

Results are sensitive tosystem alignment, loadeccentricity, and specimenuniformity.

Multiple failuremodes may beobserved atmultiple locations(FRP, adhesive orconcrete substrate,or combinationsthereof). FRP andconcrete must bescored to definetest section.

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TABLE 4 Sandwich Construction Test Methods

Test Method Specimen Measured Property Description and Advantages Disadvantages Comments

In-Plane Compression Test Methods

C364/C364M Sandwich CompressiveStrength

Untabbed, straight-sidedsandwich specimen which isend-loaded.Uses simple lateral endsupports for load introduction.

Test is sensitive tounintended loadingeccentricities.Requires that specimens bebonded into lateral endsupports.Testing of specimens withthin facings may requirepotting or tabs to resist end-crushing.

Multiple failure modes maybe observed.Acceptable failure modesinclude facesheet buckling,facesheet compression,facesheet dimpling, corecompression and core shear.

Out-of-Plane Tensile Test Methods

C297/C297M Sandwich or CoreFlatwise Tensile Strength

Square or cylindrical gagesection sandwich or corespecimen loaded in through-thickness tension.Uses adhesively bonded thickmetal blocks for loadintroduction.

Results are sensitive tosystem alignment and loadeccentricity.Results are sensitive toadhesive and surfacepreparation at loading blockbondlines.

Valid tests require failuresaway from the loading blockbondline.Used to assess and comparecore and core-to-facingthrough-thickness tensilestrengths.

Out-of-Plane Compressive Test Methods

C365/C365M Core FlatwiseCompressive Strength,Core FlatwiseCompressive Modulus

Square or cylindrical gagesection sandwich corespecimen loaded in through-thickness compression.No test-specific fixtures arerequired.

Results are sensitive tosystem alignment, loadeccentricity, and thicknessvariation which can causelocal crushing.Core edges may need to bestabilized using resin orfacings to avoid localcrushing.

Strength results must bereported as stabilized or non-stabilized.Standard aerospace practiceuses stabilized specimens formodulus determination.

D7336/D7336M Core CompressiveCrush Stress,Core Crush Stroke

Square or cylindrical gagesection sandwich corespecimen loaded in through-thickness compressionbeyond intitial core failure.

Limited to honeycomb cores.Results are sensitive tosystem alignment, loadeccentricity, and corethickness variation.

Specimen is often precrushedto aid crush strokedetermination and promoteuniformity of crush properties.

Out-of-Plane Shear Test Methods

C273/C273M Core Shear Strength,Core Shear Modulus

Rectangular gage sectionsandwich or core specimenbonded to steel loadingplates.Tensile or compressiveloading of assembly impartsa through-thickness shearforce to the core.

Requires that specimens bebonded to load plates.Results are sensitive toadhesive and surfacepreparation at load platebondlines.Results are sensitive tosystem alignment, loadeccentricity, and corethickness variation.

Does not produce pure shear,but secondary stress effectsare minimal.

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TABLE 4 Continued


C393/C393M Core Shear Strength,Core Shear Modulus

Rectangular sandwich beamspecimen.Ease of specimenconstruction and testing.Includes both 3-point and4-point techniques.Core shear stiffness may bedetermined using PracticeD7250/D7250M.

Method limited to 1Dbending.Failures often dominated bystress concentrations andsecondary stresses at loadingpoints, especially for low-density cores and thinfacings.Specified beam geometryrequired to ensure simplesandwich beam theory isvalid.Specimen must be carefullydesigned to obtain thedesired failure mode.

Specimen is designed toinduce core shear failure, butfailure may initiate in a non-core element (facings,adhesive) of the sandwichstructure.Span-to-depth ratio >20:1 isrecommended when testingfor shear modulus.The ratio of face sheetthickness to core thickness(t/c) should be <0.10.

C394 Core Shear Stress Cycles(S-N) Data

Specimen and apparatusequivalent to C273/C273M,except that core is bondeddirectly to loading plates.

Same as C273/C273M.Limited to non-reversedfatigue loading conditions.

Same as C273/C273M.

Flexural Test Methods

D7249/D7249M Sandwich FlexuralStiffness,Facesheet CompressiveStrength,Facesheet TensileStrength

Rectangular sandwich beamspecimen.Ease of specimenconstruction and testing.Standard geometry uses4-point loading technique.Flexural stiffness may bedetermined using PracticeD7250/D7250M.

Method limited to 1Dbending.Failures often dominated bystress concentrations andsecondary stresses at loadingpoints, especially withspecimens having low-densitycores and thin facings.Specified beam geometryrequired to ensure simplesandwich beam theory isvalid.Specimen must be carefullydesigned to obtain thedesired failure mode.

Specimen is designed toinduce facing tensile orcompressive failure, butfailure may initiate in a non-facing element (core,adhesive) of the sandwichstructure.The ratio of face sheetthickness to core thickness(t/c) should be <0.10.

D5467/D5467M Facesheet CompressiveStrength,Compressive Modulus,Stress-Strain Response

Sandwich beam specimenloaded in 4-point bending.Intended result is acompression failure mode ofthe facesheet.Data is especially applicableto sandwich structures.Fixturing is simple comparedto other compression tests.

Limited to high-moduluscomposites.An expensive specimen thatis not recommended unlessthe structure warrants its use.Strain gages required toobtain modulus and strain-to-failure data.

Must take care to avoid corefailure modes.Narrow (1 in. wide) specimenmay not be suitable formaterials with coarsefeatures, such as fabrics withlarge filament count tows(12K or more) or certainbraided materials.

D6416/D6416M Pressure-DeflectionResponse,Pressure-StrainResponse,Sandwich Bending andShear Stiffness

Two-dimensional plate flexureinduced by a well-defineddistributed load.Apparatus, instrumentationensure applied pressuredistribution is known. Failurestypically initiate away fromedges.Specimens are relativelylarge, facilitating study ofmanufacturing defects andprocess variables.

For studies of failuremechanics and otherquantitative sandwichanalyses, only small paneldeflections are allowed.The test fixture is necessarilymore elaborate, and somecalibration is required toverify simply-supportedboundary conditions.Results highly dependentupon panel edge boundaryconditions and pressuredistribution.Relatively large specimenand support fixture geometry.

The same caveats applyingto D7249/D7249M (above)could apply to D6416/D6416M.However, this method is notlimited to sandwichcomposites; D6416/D6416Mcan be used to evaluate the2-dimensional flexuralproperties of any squareplate.Distributed load is providedusing a water-filled bladder.Ratio of support span toaverage sandwich specimenthickness should be between10 to 30.

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TABLE 4 Continued


C480/C480M Flexural Deflection versusTime

Flat rectangular sandwichbeam specimen loaded in3-point bending.

Failures often dominated bystress concentrations andsecondary stresses at loadingpoints.Specimen must be carefullydesigned to obtain thedesired failure mode.

Loading is imparted to thesandwich beam using aweight attached to a leverarm.

Core Constituent Property Test Methods

C271/C271M Core Density Flat rectangular sandwichcore specimen.

Results are sensitive tolength, width and thicknessvariation.

C366/C366M Core Thickness Flat rectangular sandwichcore specimen.Two methods provided (roller,disk).

Results are sensitive toapplied pressure duringmeasurement.

C272 Core Water Absorption Flat rectangular sandwichcore specimen.Two methods provided(immersion, humidityconditioning).

Results are sensitive to watercollected on surfaces.

For specimens that collectwater on surfaces, specimensmay be dipped in alcoholwhich is allowed toevaporate.

F1645/F1645M Honeycomb Core WaterMigration

Flat rectangular sandwichcore specimen bonded totransparent facings.Water is introduced into onecell and permeates throughthe sample.

Results are sensitive to thepermeability of the facingsand adhesive.A constant head of watermust be maintained to ensureconsistent pressure.

Water migration may bemonitored either by mass orvolumetric measurement.Colored dye may be added towater to aid in visualizingmigration.

C363/C363M Honeycomb Core NodeTensile Strength

Flat rectangular sandwichcore specimen.Specimen ends are pinnedinto loading fixture which isloaded in tension.

Strength is sensitive tospecimen alignment and loadeccentricity.Failure can be dominated bystress concentration at loadintroduction locations.

Property formerly entitledcore delamination strength.

D6772 Honeycomb CoreDimensional Stability

Flat rectangular sandwichcore specimen, measuresin-plane core dimensionalstability after thermalexposure.

Requires accurate geometricmeasurement of coredeformation after thermalexposure.

Recommended to potselected cells with resin oradhesive to aid deformationmeasurement.

D6790 Honeycomb CorePoisson’s Ratio

Flat square sandwich corespecimen.Specimen is bent around acylinder.Dimensional measurementsare used to determinePoisson’s ratio.

Requires accurate geometricmeasurement of coredeflection.

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TABLE 5 Constituent/Precursor/Thermophysical Test Methods



Reinforcement Property Test Methods

D3800 Fiber Density Test method for density ofhigh-modulus continuousand discontinuous fibers.

D4018 Carbon Fiber TowProperties:-Tensile Modulus-Tensile Strength-Density-Mass per Unit Length-Sizing Content-Moisture Absorption

Provides test methods forcontinuous filamentcarbon and graphiteyarns, rovings and tows.Tensile properties aredetermined using resin-impregnated fiber.

Tensile testing requirescareful specimenpreparation.The resin used toimpregnate the fibers canaffect the tensile testresults.

D4102 Fiber Weight Loss Test method fordetermining weight loss ofcarbon fibers exposed tohot ambient air.Exposure conditions are:-24 h at 375°C (707°F).-500 h at 315°C (600°F).

Determines oxidativeresistance of carbonfibers for use in high-temperature applications.

Matrix (Resin) Physical Property Test Methods

D792 Density Test method for density ofplastics using immersionmethods.Ease of test specimenpreparation and testing.

Some specimens may beaffected by water;alternate immersionliquids are optional.

D1505 Density Test method for density ofplastics using densitygradient method.

Typically used for film andsheeting materials

D2471 Gel Time Test method fordetermining gel time andpeak exothermictemperature of reactingthermosetting resins

Used for testing neatresins. For compositeprepregs, see D3532below.

D4473 Cure Behavior Test method for curebehavior of plastics bymeasuring dynamicmechanical properties.

Extent of Cure Test Methods

D3531 Resin Flow Test method for resin flowof prepreg tape or sheetusing square 2-plyspecimen heated in aplaten press.

Limited to carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg materials.

D3532 Gel Time Test method for gel timeof prepreg tape or sheet

Limited to carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg materials.

Constituent Content Test Methods

C613/C613M Constituent Content Test method for Soxhletextraction procedure todetermine the matrixcontent, reinforcementcontent, and filler contentof composite materialprepreg.

Limited to prepregmaterials.

Not suitable for curedcomposites.

D3171 Fiber, Resin, Void Content Test method for fiber,resin, and void content ofresin-matrix compositesby either digestion of thematrix or by thickness ofa material of known fiberareal weight (void contentnot determined).Includes methods formetal matrix compositesas well.

The resin digestionmethods are primarilyintended for curedthermoset matrices butmay also be suitable forsome thermoplastics aswell as prepreg resincontent for materials thatdo not respond well toother methods.

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TABLE 5 Continued



Constituent Content Test Methods (cont’d)

D3529/D3529M Resin Content Test method for matrixsolids content and matrixcontent using extractionby organic solvent.

Limited to prepregmaterials.Resins that have startedto cross-link (for example,B-staged resins) may bedifficult to extract; D3171methods arerecommended for thesematerials.Does not determine orrequire reporting ofreinforcement content.


D3530/D3530M Volatiles Content Test method for volatilescontent of epoxy-matrixprepreg tape and sheet

Limited to prepregmaterials.Limited to reinforcementmaterial types which aresubstantially unaffectedby the temperatureselected for use inremoving volatiles fromthe matrix material.


D2734 Void Content Test methods for voidcontent of reinforcedplastics.Ease of test specimenpreparation and testing.

Limited to composites forwhich the effects ofignition on the materialsare known.May not be suitable forreinforcements consistingof metals, organicmaterials, or inorganicmaterials that may gain orlose weight.The presence of filler insome composites is notaccounted for.

D3171 is preferred foradvanced composites.Void content of less than1 % is difficult to measureaccurately.

D2584 Resin Content Test method for ignitionloss of cured reinforcedresins.Ease of test specimenpreparation and testing.

The presence of filler insome composites is notaccounted for.

D3171 is preferred foradvanced composites.Result may be used asresin content underspecified limitations.

Thermo-Physical Test Methods

D696 Thermal Expansionversus TemperatureCurves,Coefficients of ThermalExpansion

Test method for linearthermal expansion ofplastic materials havingcoefficients of expansiongreater than 1 3 10-6/°Cby use of a vitreous silicadilatometer. Ease of testspecimen preparation andtesting.Suitable for random andcontinuous fibercomposites.

Limited to temperaturerange of -30°C to 30°C.Use E228 for othertemperatures.

This test method cannotbe used for very lowthermal expansioncoefficient materials, suchas unidirectional graphitefiber composites.

E228 Thermal Expansionversus TemperatureCurves,Coefficients of ThermalExpansion

Test method for linearthermal expansion overthe temperature range of-180 to 900°C usingvitreous silica push rod ortube dilatometers.Suitable for discontinuousor continuous fibercomposites of definedorientation state.

Good for low values ofthermal expansion.Precision greater than forD696.Precision significantlylower than for E289.

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TABLE 5 Continued



Thermo-Physical Test Methods (cont’d)

E289 Thermal Expansionversus TemperatureCurves,Coefficients of ThermalExpansion

Test method for linearthermal expansion of rigidsolids using either aMichelson or Fizeauinterferometer.Suitable for compositeswith very low values ofthermal expansion.

Precision is listed asbetter than +40 nm/m/K.

E1461 Thermal Diffusivity Uses laser flashtechnique.

With specific heatmeasurement, can beused to calculate thermalconductivity indirectly.

E1269 Specific Heat Uses DifferentialScanning Calorimetry.

Transition Temperature Test Methods

D648 Heat DeflectionTemperature

Test method fordetermining temperatureat which an arbitrarydeformation occurs whenspecimen is subjected toan arbitrary set of testingconditions.Ease of test specimenpreparation and testing.

Deflection temperature isdependent on specimenthickness and fiberreinforcement variables.

Test data used formaterial screening.Test data is not intendedfor design purposes.

D3418 Glass TransitionTemperature (Tg)

Test method fordetermination of transitiontemperatures of polymersby differential thermalanalysis or differentialscanning calorimetry(DSC).Ease of test specimenpreparation and testing.

Not suitable forcomposites with low resincontent.

The correlation betweenthermally measuredtransition temperaturesand mechanical propertytransitions has not beensuitably established.

D4065 Transition Temperatures,Elastic Moduli,Loss Moduli

Practice for determiningthe transitiontemperatures, elastic, andloss moduli of plasticsover a range oftemperatures,frequencies, or time, byfree vibration andresonant or nonresonantforced vibrationtechniques.Can use variety of testspecimen geometries andloading methods.

Requires specializedequipment.

For best results, testsshould be run onunreinforced resin.

D7028 Glass TransitionTemperature (DMA Tg)

Test method fordetermining the glasstransition temperature(Tg) of composites usingDynamic MechanicalAnalysis (DMA) in flexuralloading mode. Tests canbe performed using bothdry and wet specimens(moisture conditioned) toallow for comparison.

Requires specializedequipment. Results aresensitive to the oscillationfrequency, heating rateand specimen/testgeometries.

Intended for polymermatrix compositesreinforced by continuous,oriented, high modulusfibers. One of the majorfiber directions must beparallel to the length ofthe specimen.

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TABLE 6 Environmental Conditioning/Resistance Test Methods



Equilibrium Moisture Content/Conditioning Test MethodsD5229/D5229M Through-Thickness

Moisture Diffusivity,Equilibrium MoistureContent, EquilibriumConditioning

Rigorous determination ofmoisture equilibrium forvarious exposure levels(including dry) as well asmoisture absorptionconstants.Used for conditioning testcoupons prior to use inother test methods

Requires long-conditioning times formany materials.Assumes 1-D Fickianbehavior for materialabsorption constantdetermination.

A faster two-specimenapproach documented inMIL-HDBK-17 has not yetbeen included in thisstandard.

D570 Equilibrium PercentageIncrease in Weight

Determination ofequilibrium weightincrease due to long-termimmersion in water.

Weighing schedule isindependent of materialdiffusion characteristics.

D5229/D5229M ispreferred for generalmoisture conditioning ofcomposites.

Non-Equilibrium Conditioning Test MethodsD618 None. Test method for

conditioning plastics priorto test.

No standard mechanicaltests are specified.Weight gain is notmonitored.

Not recommended forconditioning composites.

D570 Percentage Increase inWeight

Determination of weightincrease due toimmersion in water for adefined period.

Multiple conditioningoptions are provided, withlimited guidance providedon selection ofparameters.

D5229/D5229M ispreferred for generalmoisture conditioning ofcomposites.

Environmental Aging Test MethodsC481 Property Retention After

AgingSandwich constructionspecimens subjected toenvironmental agingcycles.

Standard environmentalcycles may not berepresentative of allsandwich constructionapplications.

Two standard agingcycles are defined.

Chemical Resistance Test MethodsC581 Changes to: Hardness,

Weight,Thickness,Specimen AppearanceAppearance of ImmersionMedia,Flexural Strength,Flexural Modulus.

Test method for chemicalresistance ofthermosetting resins.Ease of test specimenpreparation and testing.Flexible exposureconditions.

The only mechanical testsspecified are flexural.Weight gain is notmonitored.No standard exposuretimes or temperatures arespecified.

Exposure chemicals,times, temperatures areleft to the user’sdiscretion.

D543 Changes to: Weight,Thickness,Specimen AppearanceTensile Strength,Tensile Modulus.

Practices for evaluatingthe resistance of plasticsto chemical reagents.Standard exposure timeand temperature set as astarting point.

The only mechanicalloading type specified istensile; others areoptional

Longer exposure timesmay be desirable.Other mechanical loadingtypes may be specified.

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Standard Guide for Testing Polymer Matrix Composite Materials1 · Current edition approved Jan. 15,...

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