This book provides a concise, authoritative treatment of the best available methods for determining the mechanical properties, thermal expansion coefficients, and fracture and strength data for composite materials. With a practical emphasis, it discusses processing techniques, specimen preparation, analyses of test methods, test procedures, and data reduction schemes. This valuable information will streamline the process of characterizing advanced composite materials, enabling the practitioner to produce better, more reliable results in less time. A sample laboratory report is presented in an appendix.

From the Preface: “...As we now enter the 21st century, applications of all types of composite materials to commercial products are being emphasized. In anticipation of this development, the 1990s were a period of consolidation of test methods, and attempts to better understand those methods being used. Thus, the present text comes at an opportune time, i.e., when the evolution of test methods is in a relatively stable period and definitive recommendations can be made. The goal of this text is to present primarily only those mechanical test methods that have achieved some consensus as being the best presently available, recognizing that `best' is often subjective...”

Target Audience: Materials scientists; manufacturing, civil and mechanical engineers; analytical lab technicians; architects; designers; and students of these fields.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Analysis of Composite Materials

Processing of Composite Materials

Test Specimen Preparation, Strain, Deformation Measurement Devices, and Testing Machines

Lamina Tensile Response

Lamina Compressive Response

Lamina Shear Response

Lamina Flexural Response

Lamina Off-Axis Tensile Response

Lamina Thermoelastic Response

Laminate Mechanical Response

Laminate Thermoelastic Behavior

Open-Hole Tensile and Compressive Strengths of Laminates

Characterization of Delamination Failure

Appendices

Index