ISSN: 0884-6804
Page Count: 4

Small Specimen Technique for Composites Testing
Filatovs, GJ
Professor of mechanical engineering and adjunct assistant research professor, North Carolina A&T State University, Center for Composite Materials Research, NC

Sadler, RL
Professor of mechanical engineering and adjunct assistant research professor, North Carolina A&T State University, Center for Composite Materials Research, NC

Abstract

A test method has been developed for evaluating the mechanical properties of composites using small specimens with a test volume of ∼5 mm³. Mechanical testing can be performed in situ observing the specimen with scanning electron or optical microscopy. A description of the test system, associated test procedure, and fabrication procedure and tooling for the preparation of 48 000 fiber (four 12k tows) transverse tension specimens are given. Illustrative data are presented to indicate the capabilities of the technique. The method has potential for obtaining mechanical property profiles of thick section and inservice components, the study of microdefects, and obtaining through-the-thickness properties of a single ply.

Keywords:
small-scale tests, transverse testing, fiber treatment, carbon fiber/epoxy composites, low temperature plasma, test methods

Paper ID: CTR10355J
DOI: 10.1520/CTR10355J
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