Mechanical Testing of

Composite Materials

Dr. Daniel O. Adams

Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Utah
(801) 585-9807
[email protected]

2008 SAMPE Technical Conference

Memphis, TN September 8, 2008

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Tutorial Outline

• Review: Mechanical properties of composite materials

• Recommended test methods/procedures for tensile,
compressive, shear, flexural, and other properties
• Overview of test methods for sandwich composites
• The need for standardized test methods and the role
of customized test procedures
• Sources of information and additional guidance for
testing composites

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Review of elastic material properties
• E ≡ Young’s Modulus, Modulus of Elasticity
σ
Initial slope of stress vs. strain curve E

• ν ≡ Poisson's ratio ε

Ratio of transverse to axial strain

ν = - εy/ εx for an applied σx
σx σx
τ
• G ≡ Shear Modulus, Modulus of Rigidity G

Initial slope of shear stress vs. shear strain curve γ

For isotropic materials (metals), E

G=
there are only 2 independent properties 2( 1 + ν )
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Elastic Properties
for a Composite Material
3
• 3 Elastic moduli 2

E1, E2, E3 1
• 3 Poisson’s ratios
ν12, ν13, ν23
• 3 Shear moduli
G12, G13, G23

Note that E’s and ν’s may differ for

tension and compression loading
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Required Elastic Material Properties
for Composites
• Metals (isotropic materials) 3
2
– E, G, ν
E 1
– 2 independent properties: G =
2( 1 + ν )
• Composite lamina (unidirectional layer, ply)
– In plane: E1, E2, G12, ν12
– Out of plane: E3, G13, G23, ν13, ν23
• But for transverse isotropy (2 = 3):
E3
E 2 = E3 G12 = G13 ν12 = ν13 G 23 =
2( 1 +ν 23)
Therefore 5 independent elastic properties (3D)
4 independent in-plane properties: E1, E2, G12, ν12
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Strength Properties for a
Composite Material
• 3 Axial tensile strengths
S 1 + , S 2 + , S3 +
• 3 Axial compressive strengths 3
2
S1 - , S2 - , S3 -
1
• 3 Shear strengths
S12 , S13 , S23
5 independent in-plane strength properties:
S1+, S2+, S1- , S2- , S12
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Unique Aspects of Testing
Composite Materials

• Orthotropy - different stiffnesses and

strengths in different directions.
• Thinness – essentially two-dimensional
on a local scale
• Properties not always the same in
tension and compression

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Categories of Static Mechanical
Property Testing
• Tension Testing
• Compression Testing
• Shear Testing
• Flexure Testing
• Other Misc. Mechanical Tests
• Fracture Mechanics Testing
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Tension Testing:
Properties to be Determined
3
Tension Testing in 1 (Fiber) Direction 2

• Elastic Properties: E1T, ν12T 1

• Strength Property: S1+
Tension Testing in 2 (Transverse) Direction
• Elastic Properties: E2T, (ν21T)
• Strength Property: S2+
Tension Testing in 3 (Out-of-Plane) Direction
• Elastic Properties: (E3T), (ν31T), (ν32T)
• Strength Property: (S3+)
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Tension Test For Flat Specimens:
ASTM D 3039
• Straight-sided specimens
• 0.5 in. wide, ~ 8 in. long
• Adhesively bonded tabs
• Strain gages (or extensometer)
to measure axial and
transverse strain (for E, ν12)
• Requires valid gage section
failure

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Specimen Considerations:
Tension Testing
• Specimen thickness
• Specimen width
• Specimen length
• Use of specimen tabs
•Tab material
•Tab thickness
•Tab taper angle
•Length of tabbed region
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Tabbing of Composite Tension Specimens:
Design Variables
Tab Material Selection Tab Geometric Design Adhesive selection
• Tab material strength • Tab thickness • Adhesive strength
• Tab material stiffness • Tab length • Adhesive stiffness
• Tab taper angle • Adhesive thickness
Tab Termination
Region
Tab Taper
Angle
Adhesive
Thickness Tab
Thickness

Gage Section
Tab Region Tab Length

Reference: Daniel O. Adams and Donald F. Adams, “Tabbing Guide for

Composite Test Specimens,” DOT/FAA/AR-02/106, October, 2002.
http://www.tc.faa.gov/its/worldpac/techrpt/ar02-106.pdf
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Tabbing of Composite Tension Specimens:
General Recommendations

Tab Material: G-10 or G-11 glass fabric/epoxy laminated circuit

board recommended
• Adequate strength to transmit the required load, relatively low stiffness
Tab Thickness: 0.04-0.08 in. ( 1-2 mm) recommended
• 0.062 in. thick G-10 glass fabric/epoxy laminated circuit board is
commonly available

Tab Length: 2 in. minimum recommended

• Use longest tab length permitted by the test grips

Tab Taper Angle: Between 7° and 15° recommended

• Minimize tab termination stress concentrations

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Tabbing of Composite Tension Specimens:
General Recommendations
Adhesive: Select a high strength adhesive that is easy to work with
•A lower modulus adhesive is preferred
Adhesive thickness: A thicker adhesive layer (~0.05 in.) is
recommended
•Further reduce tab termination stress concentrations

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Tabbing of Composite Tension Specimens:
Tab Bonding Procedure
• Determine fiber orientation within panel
• Prepare surfaces of panel and tabs
•Mask gage section of panel
•Grit blasting or sanding
• Attach gage section spacer to panel

• Apply wire bondline spacers

• Apply adhesive to panel and tabs
Reference: Daniel O. Adams and Donald F. Adams, “Tabbing Guide for Composite Test
Specimens,” DOT/FAA/AR-02/106, October, 2002.
http://www.tc.faa.gov/its/worldpac/techrpt/ar02-106.pdf
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 “What are some good adhesives to use for
tabbing specimens?”
Paste Adhesives
Hysol 907 Epoxy (Henkel Corp.) – “…a two component paste adhesive suitable for general
purpose use. It is relatively insensitive to mix ratio and is tolerant of poorly prepared
surfaces …20 minute working life.” Room temperature cure. Available in 2.3 oz. “Epoxy
Patch kits”.
Hysol EA 9392 Epoxy (Henkel Corp.) – “…a two-component paste adhesive, which cures at
room temperature and possesses excellent shear strength at high temperatures. This
product exhibits excellent toughness and yields durable bonds over a wide temperature
range”.
Hysol EA 9396 Epoxy (Henkel Corp.) – “…a a low viscosity, room temperature curing
adhesive system with excellent strength properties at temperatures from -67°F to 350°F (-
55°C to 177°C).

Film Adhesives
FM 300 Epoxy (Cytec) – “…a modified epoxy film adhesive available with three different
moisture-resistant polyester carriers… has high elongation and toughness with high
ultimate shear strength…” Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Split Disk Tensile Test:
ASTM D 2290
• Hoop-wound rings
• 5.75 in. inside diameter x 0.25 in. wide
• Can be strain gaged to provide
modulus*
• Place strain gages 15-30° from split line
• Average modulus from tension and
compression loading

* Reference: Yoon et al., “Measurement of Modulus in Filament Wound

Ring Specimen Using Split Disk Test,” Experimental Techniques,
Vol. 21, No. 1, Jan/Feb 1997, pp. 25-28.

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Compression Testing:
Properties to be Determined
3
Compression Testing in 1 (Fiber) Direction 2

• Elastic Properties: E1C, ν12C 1

• Strength Property: S1-

Compression Testing in 2 (Transverse) Direction
• Elastic Properties: E2C, (ν21C)
• Strength Property: S2-
Compression Testing in 3 (Out-of-Plane) Direction
• Elastic Properties: (E3C), (ν31C), (ν32C)
• Strength Property: (S3-)

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Categories of Compression Testing
Shear loaded methods
• IITRI compression test (ASTM D 3410)
• Celanese compression test (removed from D 3410 in 2003)
• Modified IITRI and Celanese tests
• Compression loaded with wedge grips
End loaded methods
• Boeing Modified ASTM D 695
• Short column compression tests
Combined loading methods
• Combined loading compression (CLC), ASTM D 6641
Other methods
• Thickness-Tapered Specimens
• Mini-Sandwich Axial Compression
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 IITRI Compression Test:
ASTM D 3410
• Side loaded tabbed specimens
• 5.5 in. long, 0.5 in. gage length
• 0.5 – 1.5 in. specimen width
• 0.17 – 0.60 tabbed thickness
• Heavy and expensive
• Versatile

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com Mechanical Testing of

composite materials
 Wyoming Modified IITRI
Compression Test
•Limited to 0.5 in. wide specimens
•Weight of only 24 lb. (compared to 94 lb IITRI)

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Celanese Compression Test
(Formerly ASTM D 3410)
•Side loaded tabbed specimens
•5.5 in. long, 0.5 in. wide specimen
with 0.5 in. gage length
•0.157 ± 0.002 in. thickness of
tabbed region
•Outer alignment sleeve
•Not recommended

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Wyoming Modified Celanese
Compression Test
•Eliminates thickness requirement of tabbed region
•No outer alignment sleeve

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 End-Loaded Compression Test Methods:
Modified ASTM D 695 (SACMA SRM 1R-94)
• Modified from ASTM D 695
•Unreinforced plastics
•Untabbed, dog-boned specimen
• 3.18 in. long, 0.5 in. wide
specimen
•Separate specimens for modulus
and strength measurement
•Untabbed specimen for modulus
•Tabbed specimen for strength
(0.188 in. gage length)
www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Combined Loading Compression Test:
ASTM D 6641
•Standardized by ASTM in 2001
•Two pairs of clamped steel blocks
•Combined end load and side load
•5.5 in. long, 0.5 in. gage length
(variable)
•Specimen widths to 1.2 in.
•Adjustable loading ratio via
adjustable bolt torque

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Specimen Considerations:
Compression Testing
• Unidirectional versus cross-ply laminate
• Specimen thickness
• Specimen width
• Gage length
• Use of specimen tabs
•Tab material
•Tab thickness
•Tab taper angle

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Tabbing of Composite Compression Specimens:
General Recommendations
Tab Material: G-10 or G-11 glass fabric/epoxy laminated circuit board
recommended
Tab Thickness: 0.04-0.08 in. ( 1-2 mm) recommended
Tab Taper Angle:
30° taper angle may be used
90° taper angle best when used with a thick adhesive bondline
Minimize tab termination stress concentrations
Prevent specimen buckling
Adhesive: Select a high strength adhesive that is easy to
work with
Adhesive thickness: A thicker adhesive layer (~0.05 in.) is recommended
Further reduce tab termination stress concentrations
Reference: Daniel O. Adams and Donald F. Adams, “Tabbing Guide for Composite Test
Specimens,” DOT/FAA/AR-02/106, October, 2002.
http://www.tc.faa.gov/its/worldpac/techrpt/ar02-106.pdf Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Compression Specimen Considerations:
Specimen Thickness to Prevent Buckling
Compressive stress at which buckling is predicted to occur:

Ex = Axial stiffness in the direction of compressive loading

Gxz = Shear stiffness in the through-the-thickness direction (the direction of buckling)
l = Specimen gage length
K = End constraint factor (assuming pin-ended, K = 1)
r = Radius of gyration of specimen cross section, r = (I/A)½ , where I = moment of
inertia of the cross section and A = specimen cross-sectional area
For a test specimen of rectangular cross-sectional shape, e.g., of width w, which is
assumed to be greater than the thickness t, l = wt3/12. Thus,

For a typical carbon/epoxy unidirectional composite, Ex / Gxz ≈ 20

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Testing of Cross-Ply Versus Unidirectional
Composite Laminates
Unidirectional: [0]n Cross-ply: [0/90]ns & [90/0]ns
Compression testing of cross-ply laminates …
• Reduces the applied stress (force)
required to fail specimen
• Allows for the use of untabbed,
end-loaded specimens
• Reduces stress concentrations
associated with gripping
• Requires the use of a “back-out Combined loading compression test fixture
factor” to obtain the unidirectional ASTM D 6641

strength

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Back-Out Factors:
Unidirectional Strength From Cross-Ply Laminates
• Based on Laminated Plate Theory (LPT)
• For symmetric, cross-ply laminates
½ E1(E1 + E2) – (ν12 E2)2
BF =
¼ (E1 + E2)2 – (ν12 E2)2
where E1, E2, and ν12 are the axial modulus, transverse modulus, and
Poisson’s ratio of the unidirectional composite
• Value of BF increases as axial modulus of tested laminate decreases
– Unidirectional laminate, [0]n BF = 1.0
– Cross-ply laminates, [0/90]ns & [90/0]ns BF ≈ 1.8
– Quasi-isotropic laminates, [0/±45/90]ns BF ≈ 2.5

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Back-Out Factors:
Effect of Laminate Tested on Unidirectional Strength
(Hexcel AS4/3501-6 Carbon/Epoxy)

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Unidirectional Compressive Strengths Backed-Out
From Various Laminates
(Hexcel AS4/3501-6 Carbon/Epoxy)
Laminate Tested Test Fixture Unidirectional Strength
(ksi)
Mini-Sandwich: Whitney, Crasto, and Kim (UDRI, 1992, 1995)
[0]2 IITRI 272
[0/90]s “ 260
[±/0/90]s “ 260
[0/±60]s “ 295
Mini-Sandwich: Welsh and Adams (Wyoming, 1995)
[0]2 IITRI 258
[0]2 D695 260
Thickness-Tapered: Finley and Adams (Wyoming, 1995)
[0]16 IITRI 278
[0]16 ELSS 290
Untabbed Thick Laminates: Breivik, Gurdal, Griffin (VPI, 1992)
[0/±60]20s ELSS 279
[0/±45/90]15s “ 268
[0/±60]20s “ 271
[0/±45/90]6s “ 266
Tabbed Quasi-Isotropic: Berg and Adams (Wyoming, 1988)
[45/0/-45/90]3s IITRI 262
[45/0/-45/90]3s ELSS 239

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Shear Testing:
Properties to be Determined
3
Shear Testing in 1-2 Plane 2
• Elastic Property: G12
• Strength Property: S12 1

Shear Testing in 1-3 Plane

• Elastic Property: G13
• Strength Property: S13
Shear Testing in 2-3 Plane
• Elastic Property: G23
• Strength Property: S23

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Short Beam Shear Test:
ASTM D 2344

•Used to obtain interlaminar (out-

of-plane) shear strength
•Does not provide shear modulus
•Specimen span length-to-thickness
ratio of 4-5
•Typical specimens 0.1" thick, with
span length of 0.4 in. to 0.5 in. www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

•Combined stress state

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 [±45] Tension Shear Test:
ASTM D 3518
P
• Tensile testing of [±45]ns specimen σ = P/A

• Specimen dimensions: 9 in. length,

1 in. width
• Simple to perform, no test fixture
required
σ = P/2A σ = P/2A
• Provides shear modulus and shear
strength
• Combined stress state τ = P/2A

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Iosipescu (V-Notched Beam) Shear Test:
ASTM D 5379
•3" long x 0.75" wide specimen
•Opposing 90° V-notches machined
•±45° biaxial gage or a special shear
gage to measure modulus

Specimen loading: Iosipescu test Specimen loading: Asymmetric

four-point bend test

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Two Rail Shear Test:
ASTM D 4255
• In-plane shear modulus and
shear strength
•Usable for various laminates
•Large 6" long x 3" wide
specimen with six holes
•Bolted rails

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com Mechanical Testing of

composite materials
 Three Rail Shear Test:
ASTM D 4255
• In-plane shear modulus and
shear strength
•Usable for various laminates
•Large 6" long x 5.375" wide
specimen with 9 holes
•Bolted rails

•Two tests
performed at once
www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 V-Notched Rail Shear Test:
ASTM D 7078
• Developed at the University of Utah
• Standardized in 2005 by ASTM
• Recommended shear test method by CMH-17
• 3.0 in. x 2.2 in. notched specimen
• 1.2 in. tall gage section
• Same notch configuration as Iosipescu specimen
• Face loaded specimen as in two-rail shear test
1.0 in.

2.2 in.

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com
3.0 in.

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Attractive Features of the
V-Notched Rail Shear Test
• Incorporates attractive features from existing tests
– Iosipescu shear(ASTM D 5379)
• Favorable stress state
V-Notched
• Gage section failures 3 in. x 2.2 in.
– Modified rail shear (ASTM D 4255)
• Capable of testing high
shear strength laminates
• Moderate sized test specimen Iosipescu
• Provides versatile shear test 3 in. x 0.75 in.

– In-plane shear modulus and strength

– Useable for variety of composite laminates Two-Rail
Shear
• Modest test costs 3 in. x 6 in.
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Comparison of Specimen Sizes:
Woven Glass/Vinyl Ester Composites

Iosipescu Shear
ASTM D 5379
V-Notched Rail Shear
2-Rail Shear
ASTM D 7078
ASTM D 4255

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Other Composite Material Test Methods

• Flexure Testing
• Open Hole Compression Testing
• Compression After Impact Testing
• Peel Tests
• Fracture Mechanics Tests

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 3 or 4 Point Flexure
ASTM D 7264
• New standard (2006)
• Recommended span-to-thickness ratio of
32:1
• Other span-to-thickness ratios permitted
(16:1 commonly used)
• Simple test, complex stress state
•Tension and compression at outer surfaces
•Shear at midplane
• 3-point or 4-point loading permitted
www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Flexure Testing:
Possible Loading Configurations

Conditions for an Equal Maximum Bending Moment (Mmax = PL/4)

Type of Loading Total Applied Maximum Local Maximum Shear
Loading Force Force
3-Point P P ½P
4 Point, Quarter-Point 2P P P
4 Point, Third-Point 1.5 P ¾P ¾P
4 Point, Two Center Points P ½P ½P

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Open Hole Compression Testing:
ASTM D 6484
Also known as the “Boeing Open Hole Compression Test”

• 12" long x 1.5" wide specimen

• 0.25" diameter center hole
• Face supported
• Clamped in hydraulic grips or end
loaded
• Staggered V-shaped joints in both
sides of the fixture
• Guide plates to maintain
alignment.
www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Northrop Open Hole
Compression Test Method
• 3" long x 1" wide specimen
• 0.25" diameter center hole
• End-loaded/face supported
• Cutouts to accommodate strain
gages and lead wires
• Fixture lightly clamped between
outer restraining plates for
alignment

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Compression After Impact (CAI) Tests

ASTM D 7136 - Damage Resistance

ASTM D 7137 – Damage Tolerance NASA CAI Test
“Boeing CAI Test” • 5 in. x 10 in. specimen
•4 in. x 6 in. specimen
•Simply supported all 4 edges

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 CLIMBING DRUM PEEL TEST
ASTM D 1781

• Used for sandwich panels

and solid laminates
• Solid laminates: 9.5" x
1.75" steel backing plate
• Measures force required
to peel layer off laminate

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 ROLLER DRUM PEEL TEST FIXTURE
ASTM D 3167
• Greater peel angle than Climbing
Drum Peel test (more severe)
• Uses 0.5 – 1 in. wide x 10+ in. long
laminate
www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

• “Flexible” and “rigid” adherends

• 2" extension of the flexible adherend
for gripping
• Measures force required to peel
adherends

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Fracture Mechanics Tests

•Determine propagation characteristics

of existing cracks/delaminations
Mode I

•Considers three modes of crack growth

•Mode I – opening or extension
Mode II
•Mode II – shear
•Mode III – tearing or twist

Mode III
Mechanical Testing of
τyz composite materials
 Fracture Mechanics Tests:
Mode I and Mode II
Mode I: ASTM D 5528

Mode II: Currently no ASTM standard

Mechanical Testing of
τyz composite materials
 Fracture Mechanics Tests:
Mixed Mode (I and II)
Mixed Mode Bending (MMB) Test: ASTM D 6671

Mode I

Mode
II

Mechanical Testing of
τyz composite materials
 Tutorial Outline

• Review: Mechanical properties of composite materials

• Recommended test methods/procedures for tensile,
compressive, shear, flexural, and other properties
• Overview of test methods for sandwich composites
• The need for standardized test methods and the role
of customized test procedures
• Sources of information and additional guidance for
testing composites

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Test Methods for Sandwich Composites
• Climbing Drum Peel - ASTM D 1781
• Flexural Properties of Sandwich Constructions – ASTM C 393
• Flatwise Tensile Strength of Sandwich Constructions - ASTM C 297
• Flatwise Compression of Sandwich Cores - ASTM C 365
• Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials - ASTM C 273
• Edgewise Compressive Strength of Sandwich Constructions – ASTM C
364
• Edgewise Impact of Sandwich Panels (not standardized)
• Compression After Impact of Sandwich Panels (not standardized)
• Fracture Mechanics Tests of Sandwich Composites (under development)

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Flexure Testing of Sandwich Composites:
ASTM C 393

• 3-point or 4-point loading

• Tensile and compressive
stress in facesheets, shear
in core
• Measure flexural stiffness
and facing bending stress
at failure

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Flatwise Tensile Testing of Sandwich Composites:
ASTM C 297
• 1 in. or 2 in. square specimens
bonded to loading blocks
• Pin loaded using clevises
• Strength of “weakest link”:
face sheet, core, or bond

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Flatwise Shear Testing of Sandwich Composites:
ASTM C 273
• Core material or sandwich construction
• Specimen length dependent on thickness
• Specimen bonded to loading plates
• Typically loaded in tension

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Edgewise Compression Testing of Sandwich Composites:
ASTM C 364

• End-clamping to prevent brooming

and localized end crushing
• Unsupported length not greater than
eight times the panel thickness
• Measure facing compression stress at
failure

www.wyomingtestfixtures.com
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Edgewise Impact Testing of Sandwich Composites

• Not standardized, developed at the

University of Utah
• Use same sandwich specimen dimensions
as edgewise compression testing
• Drop-weight instrumented impact loading
• Measure energy absorption

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Compression After Impact Testing
of Sandwich Composites
• Not standardized
• Scale-up of ASTM D 7137 for composite
laminates
• 8.5 in. x 10.5 in. sandwich panels
• Impact damage in center of panel
• Simply supported all 4 edges

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Fracture Mechanics Test Methods
for Sandwich Composites
Currently under development at the University of Utah
Applied
Load Piano
Hinge
Candidate Mode I Test Delamination

Plate-Supported Single Crack Tip

Cantilever Beam Plate Support

Delamination Hinge
Candidate Mode II Test
Modified Cracked Sandwich
Beam with Hinge

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Tutorial Outline

• Review: Mechanical properties of composite materials

• Recommended test methods/procedures for tensile,
compressive, shear, flexural, and other properties
• Overview of test methods for sandwich composites
• The need for standardized test methods and the role
of customized test procedures
• Sources of information and additional guidance for
testing composites

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Customized “Specific Use” Test Procedures
Versus Standardized Test Methods
Customized Test Procedures…
• Often company proprietary
• May use a local favorite loading or fixturing approach
• Commonly reduces options/choices of parameters
• May reduce data inconsistencies due to revisions of ASTM standards
• Can provide an efficient and consistent single point of reference for multiple test
plan authors across an enterprise

Standard Test Methods…

• Further Improve Meaning
(Better correlation between test and analysis)
• Better Enable Material/Process Comparisons
(By reliably quantifying differences between material systems and/or processes)
• Better Allow Results Sharing
(as tested by different laboratories and/or at different times)

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Perceived Issues With
Standardized Test Methods
“Standards stifle my creativity, or erase a competitive edge”
• Success/profitability come from being creative with your product, not your test data
“Standards don’t fit my application”
• Are you sure? Get familiar with the latest standards work.
• Consider a limited but well-documented deviation from an existing standard.
• Work with Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) to create needed standards
“I see badly engineered standards”
• Not all standards are equally good! Use the better standards
• Get involved in SDOs to fix any standard needing correction
“My legacy data is non-standard”
• Develop bridging data for existing programs
• Adopt the best standards for new programs
“Standards keep changing”
• Shortcomings in standards need to be corrected and changes in technology and
industry may merit updates

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Standards Development for Composites:
1960’s Thru Mid-1980s
• Standards did not keep pace with rapid evolution of…
– Materials (fibers, materials, textile preforms)
– Applications (tertiary to secondary to primary)
– Design criteria and analysis methods
• Early ASTM standards for composite testing were useful,
but guidance was only generic
– Difficult to implement without gaining experience
– Examples:
• 1971: Fiber volume by digestion method, ASTM D3171
• 1976: Advanced tensile test method, ASTM D3039
• Standardization considered undesirable by major players
– Varying markets create islands of different technical cultures and
design practices
– Technical details (such as test methods) considered proprietary and
a possible competitive advantage
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Standards Development for Composites:
Late 1980’s Thru Late 1990’s
Late 1980s thru early-1990s: Movement toward
standardization gains proponents
– Desires to increase market share leads to industry consolidations
– Attempts begin to integrate different technical cultures in consolidated
organizations
– Formation of numerous specialized consortia, including: SACMA, CMC,
ACC

Mid-to-late 1990s: Active support for effective standards

increases; resistance wanes
– Competitive issues move from lower-level technical issues (ex. data
development) to higher-level interactions of system design.
– Consortia transition standards work to major voluntary consensus
SDO’s such as ASTM

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Aerospace Consolidation, 1993-2000

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Recent Standardization Developments

• ASTM Committee D30 (composites) enacts electronic

web/email-based participation
• Globalization of ASTM International and D30 Standards
• Increased FAA involvement in Composite Materials
Handbook, CMH-17 (formerly MIL-HDBK-17)
• Increased ASTM D30 cooperation with CMH-17 on
consensus test methods and testing guidance
• Re-energized composite material specification activities via
SAE P17
• Increased relevance of standardization in general aviation
and civil infrastructure product development
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Partial List of Groups
Involved in Standardization
UNITED STATES
American Society for Testing and Materials (now ASTM International)
Composite Materials Handbook Committee, CMH-17 (formerly MIL-HDBK-17)
Suppliers of Advanced Composite Materials Association (SACMA, disbanded in 2000)
SECONDARY
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
ASM International (ASM)
Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI)
Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
EUROPE
Deutsches Institut fur Normung (DIN)
Association Francaise de Normalization (AFNOR)
British Standards Institute (BSI)
FAR EAST
Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS)
INTERNATIONAL
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (Geneva, Switzerland)
Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
Guide to ASTM Standard Test Methods:
ASTM D 4762
• Revised in 2004
• Briefly summarizes
the scope, advantages,
and disadvantages of
relevant ASTM
standards
• An aid in selecting
appropriate standards
for use with advanced
composite materials

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials
 Mechanical Testing of Composite Materials:
References
• “ASTM Annual Book of ASTM Standards,” Section 15, Volume 15.03 (Space Simulation;
Aerospace and Aircraft; Composite Materials), 2008. www.astm.org
• Wyoming Test Fixtures Product Catalog & Technical Descriptions,
www.wyomingtestfixtures.com
• “Polymer Matrix Composites,” Composite Materials Handbook, CMH-17, Vol. I:
Guidelines, Vol. II: Material Property Data, Vol. III: Utilization of Data. www.cmh17.org
• “SACMA Recommended Test Methods,” Suppliers of Advanced Composite Materials
Association, Arlington, Virginia (disbanded June, 2000; SAMPE still sells these documents)
• Adams, D. F., Carlsson, L. A. and Pipes, R. B. “Experimental Characterization of Advanced
Composite Materials, 3rd Edition” CRC Press, 2002, TA418.9, C6, C324
• Hodgkinson, J. M., editor, “Mechanical Testing of Advanced Fiber Composites,” CRC Press
and Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2000. TA455, P55, M44
• Jenkins, C. H., editor, “Manual on Experimental Methods for Mechanical Testing of
Composites. 2nd Edition,” Society for Experimental Mechanics, 1998. TA 418.9, C6, M295
• Tarnopolski, Y. M. and Kincis, T. “Static Test Methods for Composites,” Van Nostrand
Reinhold Co., 1981. TA 418.9 C6, T37
• Daniel, I. M. and Ishai, O., “Engineering Mechanics of Composite Materials,” 2nd Edition,
Oxford University Press, 2005.
• Gibson, R. F. “Principles of Composite Material Mechanics,” 2nd Edition, CRC Press, 2007.

Mechanical Testing of
composite materials