1.1 This test method describes the determination of interlaminar fracture toughness, Gc, of continuous fiber-reinforced composite materials at various Mode I to Mode II loading ratios using the Mixed-Mode Bending (MMB) Test.

1.2 This test method is limited to use with composites consisting of unidirectional carbon fiber tape laminates with brittle and tough single-phase polymer matrices. This test method is further limited to the determination of fracture toughness as it initiates from a delamination insert. This limited scope reflects the experience gained in round robin testing. This test method may prove useful for other types of toughness values and for other classes of composite materials; however, certain interferences have been noted (see Section ). This test method has been successfully used to test the toughness of both glass fiber composites and adhesive joints.

1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

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 Standards

D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics

D2651 Guide for Preparation of Metal Surfaces for Adhesive Bonding

D2734 Test Methods for Void Content of Reinforced Plastics

D3171 Test Methods for Constituent Content of Composite Materials

D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials

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

D5528 Test Method for Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

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

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

E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics

Keywords

composite materials; delamination; interlaminar fracture toughness; mixed-mode bending; Mode I-Mode II;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 19.060 (Mechanical testing); 83.120 (Reinforced plastics)

Citing ASTM Standards

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