1. Scope

1.1 This test method establishes a procedure for determining the compressive strength and stiffness properties of polymer matrix composite materials using a combined loading compression (CLC) (1) or comparable test fixture. This test method is applicable to general flat laminates that are balanced and symmetric and contain at least one 0 ^o ply. The standard specimen is untabbed, and, thus, for strength determination, the laminate is limited to a maximum of 50 % 0 ^o plies, or equivalent (see 6.4).

1.2 The compressive force is introduced into the specimen by combined end- and shear-loading. In comparison, Test Method D3410/D3410M is a pure shear-loading compression test method and Test Method D695 is a pure end-loading test method.

1.3 Unidirectional (0 ^o ply orientation) composites can be tested to determine unidirectional composite modulus and Poisson's ratio, but not compressive strength.

1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the test the inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.

Note 1--Additional procedures for determining the compressive properties of polymer matrix composites may be found in Test Methods D3410/D3410M, D5467, and D695.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Adjunct

Combined Loading Com D 6641/D6641M

ASTM Standards

D695 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics

D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics

D3410/D3410M Test Method for Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials with Unsupported Gage Section by Shear Loading

D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials

D5229/D5229M Test Method for Moisture Absorption Properties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials

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

D5467/D5467M Test Method for Compressive Properties of Unidirectional Polymer Matrix Composite Materials Using a Sandwich Beam

D5687/D5687M Guide for Preparation of Flat Composite Panels with Processing Guidelines for Specimen Preparation

E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines

E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing

E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or Process

E132 Test Method for Poissons Ratio at Room Temperature

E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods

E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics

E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-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 Core Materials in Computerized Material Property Databases

Keywords

combined loading; composite materials; compressive modulus of elasticity; compressive properties; compressive strength; Poisson's ratio; CLC (combined loading compression) device; Composites; Compression testing--composites; Polymer matrix composite materials;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 83.140.10 (Films and sheets)

DOI: 10.1520/D6641_D6641M-01E01

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