Mechanical testing of composites
Experimental characterization of fibre reinforced plastics is needed for qualification, product development and certification. Eurofins Expert Services provides a comprehensive test selection for fibre reinforced plastics.
In addition to testing, also other type of services to support the laminate design and strength analysis are provided.
Laminate characterization tests
The mechanical properties of fibre reinforced laminates can be characterized by variety of tests.
For instance, the following standard tests are conducted:
- Tension and compression tests, ISO 527-1, -2, -3, -4 and -5, ASTM D3410 and ISO 14126
- Shear tests, ASTM D7078
- Fatigue tests, ISO 13003 and ASTM D3479
- Bending tests, ISO 14125
- Interlaminar shear strength tests (ILSS), ISO 14130 and ASTM D2344
- Flatwise and out-of-plane tensile tests ASTM C297, EN 1607
- Impact tests
- Tests for sandwich structures, ASTM C393, ASTM C273
The typical laminate quality control tests are
- Barcol hardness measurements
- Fibre content measurements
- Void content measurements
- Non-destructive inspections
Instrumentation
In the most elemental mechanical tests only load and stroke of the testing ma¬chine are recorded. However, in many cases structural tests include more versatile instrumentation.
Available alternatives are
- Strain gages
- Extensometers
- Inductive displacement transducer
- Laser gages
- Optical 3D-strain measurement
- Thermometers
- Acoustic emission
Available resources
- Six universal testing machines with data acquisition
- Load capasities from 1 kN to 2 MN
- Extensive range of testing fixtures and equipment
The data recording frequency can be specified according to test demands. It is possible to provide the data to the customer for further analysis.
Our test laboratory fulfils the requirements of standard SFS-EN ISO/ IEC 17025:2005.
