1.1 This test method determines the in-plane shear properties of high-modulus fiber-reinforced composite materials by either of two procedures. In Procedure A, laminates clamped between two pairs of loading rails are tested. When loaded in tension the rails introduce shear forces in the specimen. In Procedure B, laminates clamped on opposite edges with a tensile or compressive force applied to a third pair of rails in the center are tested.

1.2 Application of this test method is limited to continuous-fiber or discontinuous-fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites in the following material forms:

1.3 The reproducibility of this test method can be affected by the presence of shear stress gradients in the gage section and stress concentrations at the gripping areas. Test Methods D5379/D5379M and D7078/D7078M provide superior shear response in comparison to this test method, as their specimen configurations produce a relatively pure and uniform shear stress state in the gage section.

1.4 The technical content of this standard has been stable since 2001 without significant objection from its stakeholders. As there is limited technical support for the maintenance of this standard, changes since that date have been limited to items required to retain consistency with other ASTM D30 Committee standards, including editorial changes and incorporation of updated guidance on micrometers and calipers, strain gage requirements, speed of testing, specimen preconditioning and environmental testing. Future maintenance of the standard will only be in response to specific requests and performed only as technical support allows.

1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. 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.

1.6 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.