ISO/TC 61/SC 13 - Composites and reinforcement fibres

This document specifies the principal method for out-of-plane laser shearography non-destructive testing (NDT) of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. This document is applicable to both monolithic and sandwich FRP laminate constructions, with or without curved surfaces, fibre-reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic matrix composites incorporating uni- or multi-directional reinforcements in either a continuous or discontinuous format; including but not limited to woven fabrics, stitched fabrics, short fibre, or particulate filled, honeycomb or foam cores, as well as combination or hybrid reinforcements. This document is not applicable to variations on this basic configuration.

This document describes procedures for mechanized ultrasonic testing of FRP composite materials using array probes in conjunction with the application of synthetic focusing signal processing algorithms, as well as testing using air-coupled ultrasonic probes and the evaluation of the test result. This document is intended for array ultrasonic testing (A-UT) and for air-coupled ultrasonic testing (AC-UT) techniques applied to non-destructive testing of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) composites with thermoset or thermoplastic matrices. The procedures are primarily intended for inspection of continuous unidirectional or multidirectional composites; however, this does not exclude their use on other formats of structural composites including woven and stitched fabrics and pultrusions. The techniques contained within this document are intended to be used on flat, plane test objects where the material thickness differs by less than 20 %. This document addresses ultrasonic testing via contact or immersion techniques using ultrasonic array probes as well as testing in pitch-catch or through-transmission technique using single element air-coupled ultrasonic probes.

This document establishes requirements and specifications of the bulk moulding compound (BMC) and dough moulding compound (DMC) with or without thickening agents. This document is applicable to BMC and DMC, which are different types of preimpregnated product used for the production, by moulding, of various parts made of composite materials. The scope is not limited to types of fibres and resins.

This document specifies the test method used to determine the strength of the adhesive-bonded carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) to metal assemblies under combined loading conditions. The loading fixture, a standard specimen, and procedure for combined shear and normal load tests under plane stress conditions are provided. The test method is also applicable to bonded joints between metals and other composite materials, including glass fibre-reinforced plastics. This document does not cover specimen preparation of the adhesive joint.

This document specifies a procedure for determining the plain-pin bearing strength of fibre-reinforced plastic composites. The method described in this document is applicable to fibre-reinforced plastic composites with either thermoset or thermoplastic matrices.

This document specifies the test method to determine the open-hole compressive strength of laminated fibre-reinforced plastic composites. The laminate is intended to be a balanced and symmetrical lay-up or be otherwise homogeneous through the thickness. This document applies to all textile diameter fibre types (carbon, glass, aramids, etc.) and matrices (e.g. thermoset, thermoplastic) that meet the requirements of this document. This document includes three methods: — method 1 (short specimen with support fixture); — method 2 (short specimen without support fixture); — method 3 (long specimen with support fixture as in ASTM D6484/D6484M-09, methods A and B). Method 1 employs an L-shaped base fixture and two end fixtures. These end fixtures are compressed between the platens of the test machine. Method 2 employs end supports similar to the fixtures given in ISO 14126:2023, D.1. This method is useful for cyclic loading conditions test, including under fully or partly reversed loading conditions when the specimen is clamped by hydraulic grips without support fixtures Method 3 has two types of loading methods, i.e. 3A and 3B. In method 3A, the specimen is placed within a stabilization fixture, which is then clamped by hydraulic grips. In method 3B, the specimen is placed within a stabilization fixture and then end-loaded by platens. Full details of test methods 3A and 3B are given in ASTM D6484/D6484M-09, procedure A and procedure B, respectively. NOTE Specimen configurations and force introduction varies for the three methods covered within this document. Results obtained using methods 1, 2 and 3 might not be equivalent for all laminates in all environments.

This document specifies methods for the simultaneous measurement of the fibre tensile strength distribution, and the fibre resin interfacial shear strength of recycled carbon fibres using the modified fragmentation test.

This document specifies a test method for determining the interfacial shear strength between a single fibre and a matrix by means of a pull-out test. The method can be used to measure the critical energy release rate. The method is applicable to reinforcement fibres, such as carbon fibres, glass fibres, basalt fibres and similar stiff reinforcement fibres and to thermoset, thermoplastic and fine-grained concrete matrices. It can be used for polymeric reinforcement fibres and for other inorganic matrices. It is not applicable to: a) elastomeric fibres and elastomeric matrices such as rubber; b) matrices which cure or melt at temperatures above 400 °C; c) matrices that show a strong tendency to bubble formation or expansion during the sample-preparation process; d) foams.

This document specifies methods for calculating the resin, fibre and void contents of a carbon-fibre-reinforced composite from the densities of the resin, the fibre and the composite and the mass of fibre in the composite (using method A), for calculating the fibre content from the thickness of the composite (using method B), and for calculating the fibre content by volume and areal void content through microscopic analysis (using method C). Method A specifies three different resin removal procedures for the determination of the mass of fibre in the composite (viz a combustion procedure, a procedure by digestion in nitric acid and a procedure by digestion in a mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide). The selection of the procedure to be used is made by considering the combustibility of the resin used in the composite, its ability to decompose and the type of resin concerned. Method A is only of limited applicability when filled resins are present that can prevent complete dissolution and/or combustibility of the resin. Method B (thickness measurement method) is only applicable to composites moulded from prepregs of known fibre mass per unit area. Method C (microscopic method) is only applicable to carbon-fibre-reinforced composites with unidirectional, orthogonal and multidirectional laminates. It can also be used as reference for determination of the areal void content and fibre volume content of aramid- or glass-fibre-reinforced plastics, but is not applicable to fabric reinforced composites.

This document applies to the measurement of crack tip position and crack propagation on the bonding surface of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRPs) and metal assemblies bonded panels. This document does not apply to the visualization measurement of strain distribution or defects during load application to specimens. This document does not intend to: a) omit relevant field tests for CFRP related engineering; b) generally specify the dimensions of test specimen to represent CFRPs related bonded or fastened structures; c) superimpose test results for specific applications of the parameters that exceed the range of this document.

This document specifies the test method for determining the tack in prepregs under defined conditions. This document is applicable to but not limited to unidirectional and multidirectional thermoset based prepregs made with glass fibres, carbon fibres, aramid fibres and other similar fibres included.

This document establishes requirements and specifications for sheet moulding compound (SMC) used in the production of composite parts by hot moulding. It is suitable for sheet moulding compound with glass fibres (GF) and carbon fibres (CF) as the sole or main reinforcement. Other fibre (e.g. natural fibre) reinforced sheet moulding compounds can also be used with this document.

This document specifies a method for determining the durability of the adhesive joints of carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) and metal assemblies by a wedge rupture test using a double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen under specified environmental conditions. This method is intended for evaluating the safety and reliability of adhesives, primers, and surface treatments of the adherends.

This document specifies the electrochemical test for determining galvanic corrosion rate of CFRPs and metal assemblies with protection-coating, subjected to the corrosive environment of electrolyte diffusion through the coating. It specifies the apparatus, the test solutions, and the procedure to be used in conducting the electrochemical tests for a) the assessment of the Fick's diffusion parameter for protective coating on metallic materials, and b) the estimation of the galvanic corrosion rates with the conversion of ISO 21746 coating-free sample data. The following are intended situations of implementing an electrochemical test based on this document: a) when interested parties estimate the galvanic corrosion rate of bonded joints relating engineering metals with protection-coating and CFRPs of the potential drastically nobler than those of most metals, utilizing the resources of ISO 17475; b) when expanding CFRP-metal bonded joints applications using coatings to the fields of corrosion-sensitive environments caused by electrolytes. It is not the intent of this document to fulfil the need for: — omitting relevant field tests for the applications in corrosive environment; — superimposing test data for specific applications for the range of relevant data; — comparative testing as a means of ranking different protections with respect to corrosion rates; — ignoring the field hazards such as erosion, abrasion, and ultraviolet irradiation.

This document specifies a method of determining the length of the fibres present in a fibre-reinforced product. The method is applicable to moulding materials and to moulded parts. The test conditions specified limit the application of this method to thermoplastics reinforced with short glass fibres (less than 1 mm long), i.e. fibres whose length is less than or equal to 7,5 mm prior to incorporation in the moulding material and moulding.

This document specifies methods for determining the compressive properties, in directions parallel to the plane of lamination, of fibre-reinforced plastic composites, based on thermosetting or thermoplastic matrices. The compressive properties are of interest for specifications and quality-control purposes. The test specimens are machined from a flat test plate, or from suitable finished or semi-finished products. Two loading methods and two types of specimen are described. The loading methods are: — Method 1: provides shear loading of the specimen (gauge length unsupported) — Method 2: provides combined loading of the specimen (gauge length unsupported) NOTE For tabbed specimens loaded using method 2, load is transferred through a combination of end-loading and shear-loading through the tabs. The specimen designs are: — Type A specimen: rectangular cross-section, fixed thickness, end-tabbed (mainly for aerospace style preimpregnates (~ 0,125 mm ply thickness) — Type B specimen: rectangular cross-section, range of thicknesses, untabbed or end-tabbed, two specimen sizes are available (B1 and B2). The Type A specimen is used for unidirectionally or biaxially reinforced materials tested in the fibre direction, where the fibres are normally either aligned continuous or aligned long (>7,5 mm) discontinuous. The Type B1 and B2 specimens are used for multi-directional aligned; mat, fabric and other multi-directionally reinforced materials where the fibre structure is more complex and/or coarser. This document gives criteria for checking that the combination of test method and specimen design result in valid failures. It is noted that alternative test method/specimen combinations will not necessarily give the same result. The methods specify required dimensions for the specimen. Tests carried out on specimens of other dimensions, or on specimens that are prepared under different conditions, can produce results that are not comparable. Other factors, such as the speed of testing, the support fixture used and the conditioning of the specimens, can influence the results.

This document specifies two calcination methods for the determination of the textile glass and mineral filler content of glass-reinforced plastics: — Method A: for the determination of the textile glass content when no mineral fillers are present. — Method B: for the determination of the textile-glass and mineral-filler content when both components are present. This document is applicable to the following types of material: — prepregs made from yarns, rovings, tapes or fabrics; — SMC, BMC and DMC moulding compounds; — textile-glass-reinforced thermoplastic moulding materials and granules; — filled or unfilled textile-glass laminates made with thermosetting or thermoplastic resins. The methods do not apply to the following types of reinforced plastic: — those containing reinforcements other than textile glass; — those containing materials which do not completely burn off at the test temperature (for example, those based on silicone resin); — those containing mineral fillers which degrade at temperatures below the minimum calcination temperature.

This document specifies test methods for the experimental characterization of in-plane permeability of fibrous reinforcements for liquid composite moulding. Requirements for test equipment, test methods and data analysis are detailed, to ensure optimal accuracy and reproducibility of the results.

This document provides characteristics and requirements to create specifications of fabrics woven from yarns (including single yarns, multiple-wound yarns, plied yarns, cabled yarns and rovings) made from textile glass, carbon or aramid and generally used for plastics reinforcements. This document does not cover all requirements for some specialized applications.

This document specifies the test conditions for the determination of the tensile properties of isotropic and orthotropic fibre-reinforced plastic composites, based upon the general principles given in ISO 527-1. NOTE 1 Unidirectional reinforced materials are covered by ISO 527-5. The methods are used to investigate the tensile behaviour of the test specimens and for determining the tensile strength, tensile modulus, Poisson's ratios and other aspects of the tensile stress-strain relationship under the defined conditions. The test method is suitable for use with the following materials: — fibre-reinforced thermosetting and thermoplastic composites incorporating non-unidirectional reinforcements such as mats, woven fabrics, woven rovings, chopped strands, combinations of such reinforcements, hybrids, rovings, short or milled fibres or preimpregnated materials (prepregs); NOTE 2 Injection moulded specimens are covered by ISO 527-2. — combinations of the above with unidirectional reinforcements and multidirectional reinforced materials constructed from unidirectional layers, provided such laminates are symmetrical; NOTE 3 Materials with completely or mainly unidirectional reinforcements are covered by ISO 527-5. — finished products made from materials mentioned above. The reinforcement fibres covered include glass fibres, carbon fibres, aramid fibres and other similar fibres.

This document specifies a method for the determination of mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (critical energy release rate), GIC, of unidirectional fibre-reinforced plastic composites using a double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen.

This document specifies a method for determining the compressive properties in the pultruded fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) using full-section compressive tests. It is applicable to pultruded FRP profiles. The scope is not limited to types of fibres and resins.

This document specifies methods for determining the through-thickness properties (i.e. strength, modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio and strain-to-failure) of fibre-reinforced plastic composites using either rectangular prism and/or waisted block specimens. The methods are suitable for use with a variety of aligned and non-aligned, continuous, and discontinuous fibre formats, with both thermoset and thermoplastic matrices, ranging from 20 mm to 40 mm in thickness. Three specimen types are described in this document. These are: — Type I - fixed rectangular cross-section along length of specimen. It is the preferred specimen for determining elastic properties. — Type II - waisted rectangular cross-section, variable cross-section along length of specimen. It is only suitable for determining tensile strength values and is the preferred specimen for highly anisotropic and thermoplastic materials. — Type III - waisted rectangular cross-section, fixed cross-section along the gauge-length of specimen. It is used to provide both elastic and strength property data and is the preferred specimen for generating a full stress-strain response. Specimen types I and II are also suitable for use with unreinforced plastics but are unsuitable for use with rigid cellular materials and sandwich structures containing cellular materials. Two testing modes are covered: — Method A – Tension — Method B – Compression

This document specifies a method for the determination of the average thickness, the thickness under load and the recovery after compression of chopped-strand and continuous-filament textile-glass mats.

This document specifies a method using a thermal imaging camera for measuring the heat transfer parameter of PAN-based 12 K carbon fibre tow with a filament diameter of 7 µm. This document is applicable to both sized and unsized carbon fibres. NOTE At the time of publication, the experience is on 12 K tow. Other tows will be included when the experience becomes available.

This document specifies a method for determining the cross tensional strength of the bonded plates of carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) to metal assemblies, with a standard specimen loaded in cross tension and under specified conditions of preparation, conditioning and testing. This method is intended for testing those bonded plates used in bonding carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) to metal assemblies.

This document specifies a system of designating textile glass yarns (including single, multiple-wound, folded (plied), cabled and textured yarns, strands, slivers and rovings) based on their linear density expressed in the tex system.

This document specifies three test methods used for determining the average diameter (i.e. the average value of actual diameters) of staple fibres or filaments in a textile glass product.

This document specifies the test conditions for the determination of the tensile properties of isotropic and orthotropic fibre-reinforced plastic composites, based upon the general principles given in ISO 527-1. NOTE 1 Unidirectional reinforced materials are covered by ISO 527-5. The methods are used to investigate the tensile behaviour of the test specimens and for determining the tensile strength, tensile modulus, Poisson's ratios and other aspects of the tensile stress-strain relationship under the defined conditions. The test method is suitable for use with the following materials: — fibre-reinforced thermosetting and thermoplastic composites incorporating non-unidirectional reinforcements such as mats, woven fabrics, woven rovings, chopped strands, combinations of such reinforcements, hybrids, rovings, short or milled fibres or preimpregnated materials (prepregs); NOTE 2 Injection moulded specimens are covered by ISO 527-2. — combinations of the above with unidirectional reinforcements and multidirectional reinforced materials constructed from unidirectional layers, provided such laminates are symmetrical; NOTE 3 Materials with completely or mainly unidirectional reinforcements are covered by ISO 527-5. — finished products made from materials mentioned above. The reinforcement fibres covered include glass fibres, carbon fibres, aramid fibres and other similar fibres.

This document specifies the test conditions for the determination of the tensile properties of unidirectional fibre-reinforced plastic composites, based upon the general principles given in ISO 527-1. NOTE Isotropic and orthotropic reinforced materials are covered by ISO 527-4. The methods are used to investigate the tensile behaviour of the test specimens and for determining the tensile strength, tensile modulus, Poisson's ratios and other aspects of the tensile stress-strain relationship under the conditions defined. The test method is suitable for all polymer matrix systems reinforced with unidirectional fibres and which meet the requirements, including failure mode, set out in this document. The method is suitable for composites with either thermoplastic or thermosetting matrices, including preimpregnated materials (prepregs). The reinforcements covered include carbon fibres, glass fibres, aramid fibres and other similar fibres. The reinforcement geometries covered include unidirectional (i.e. completely aligned) fibres and rovings and unidirectional fabrics and tapes. The method is not normally suitable for multidirectional materials composed of several unidirectional layers at different angles (see ISO 527-4).

This document specifies a method for determining the lap-shear strength of the adhesive joint between carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) and metal adherends, using a standard specimen loaded in tension and under specified conditions of preparation, conditioning and testing. This method is intended for assessing the suitability of adhesives to be used for bonding a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRPs) to a metal.

This document specifies a thermogravimetric method for the determination of fibre weight content by weight percent, of carbon fibre reinforced composites. This method applies to pre-products, such as, prepregs, parts and products of carbon fibre reinforced composites.

This document specifies the test method for the determination of adhesive fracture energy of adhesively bonded plates of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and metal using a double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen. The test method is also applicable to bonded joints between metals and other composite materials, such as glass fibre reinforced plastics.

This document specifies accelerated moisture absorption properties and supersaturated conditioning by moisture for fibre-reinforced plastics) using sealed pressure vessel at higher temperature than 100 °C with saturated water vapour at used heating temperature. The purpose of this moisture absorbing procedure is to screen test specimens with moisture by mechanical or thermal properties. This document applies to carbon-fibre materials and their products with either thermoset or thermoplastic matrices, with a Tg greater than 150 °C. This document can also apply to materials reinforced with other fibres (e.g. glass-fibres) with a Tg greater than 150 °C.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the mass per unit area. It also specifies five methods (Method A to Method E) for the determination of the fibre mass per unit area of moulding compounds and prepregs. The five methods are as follows: — Method A: Extraction by Soxhlet; — Method B: Extraction by immersion in solvent in a beaker; — Method C: Decomposition by loss ignition; — Method D: Extraction by wet combustion; — Method E: Method by calculation. This document is applicable to the following types of materials: — moulding compound and preimpregnated unidirectional sheet, tape, fabric and mats; — prepregs in which any type of reinforcement (aramid, carbon, glass, etc.) and any type of matrix (thermosetting or thermoplastic) has been used. Typically, reinforcement fibres are coated with sizing or finishes. These normally dissolve with the resin and are, therefore, included in the resin content. This document is not applicable to the following types of prepregs: — those containing reinforcements which are soluble (or partly soluble) in the solvents used to dissolve the resin.

This document specifies four methods for the determination of the density of carbon fibre tested as a yarn: — method A: liquid-displacement method; — method B: sink/float method; — method C: density-gradient column method; — method D: gas pycnometer method. Method C is the reference method in cases of dispute, etc.

1.1 This document specifies a procedure for the initial qualification of composite materials in order to allow quality control, material selection and preliminary design to be undertaken. It provides a single procedure allowing quicker and lower cost qualification compared to multiple bi-lateral qualification against different bespoke user needs. This document focuses on developing B-basis design allowables. 1.2 The procedure comprises a standard qualification plan (SQP) that includes the minimum common test requirements for more highly anisotropic composite materials. Further test requirements are encompassed in an extended qualification plan (EQP), which includes options representing specific in-service features. A reduced qualification plan (RQP) scheme, using the same core structure of test plate preparation and test methods as the SQP, is available for less highly anisotropic and tending towards nominally isotropic composite materials. 1.3 The procedure is suitable for fibre-reinforced thermoset, and thermoplastic, based material systems intended for structural or semi-structural applications. Individual test method standards referred to in this document provide more details as to the classes and types of composite materials that are covered in each case. 1.4 Annexes A and B are included to support presentation of the data obtained in a consistent database and to provide statistical procedures for the determination of B-basis design allowables, respectively.

This document specifies the apparatus, the reagents and the procedure to be used in conducting the neutral salt spray (NSS), acetic acid salt spray (AASS) and copper-accelerated acetic acid salt spray (CASS) tests for assessment of the galvanic corrosion resistance of joints and bonded structures between carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) and metallic materials, with or without permanent or temporary insulation for the galvanic current.

This document specifies a method using a shear test apparatus for measuring the in-plane shear stress/shear strain response, shear modulus and shear strength of continuous-fibre-reinforced plastic composite materials with fibre orientations of 0° and 0°/90°. This method is applicable to thermoset and thermoplastic matrix laminates made from unidirectional layers/non-woven fabrics and/or fabrics including unidirectional fabrics, with the fibres oriented at 0° and 0°/90° to the specimen axis, where the lay-up is symmetrical and balanced about the specimen mid-plane. The method is suitable for determining shear properties in both the linear and nonlinear load-deformation range even at shear strains greater than 5 %. Short and long fibre-reinforced plastic composites can also be tested using this document.

This document specifies a flexural test method for determining the through-thickness (out-of-plane) tensile properties of laminated carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites, including strength, fracture strain, and modulus. This document is applicable to unidirectional CFRP (UD-CFRP) laminates. In addition, the calculation of effective volume is also described due to size effects of the through-thickness tensile strength.

This document specifies a procedure for determining the interlaminar strength, and modulus, by double beam shear (DBS) tests of fibre-reinforced plastic composites. The method is suitable for use with glass or carbon fibre-reinforced plastic composites with thermoset matrices, providing an acceptable interlaminar failure is obtained. This document only applies to laminate with a symmetrical and balanced lay‐up as it avoids bending/twisting or bending/extension coupling deformations (see 6.2). The preferred lay-up is unidirectional, with fibres aligned along the specimen (axial) length. The suitability of the test for specific lay-ups, matrices and fibres (e.g. natural) are assessed by trial tests to ensure the correct delamination failures are obtained.

This document specifies five test methods used for the determination of the diameter and cross-sectional area of single carbon fibre filaments. The shape of the cross-section of the filaments from different suppliers can vary significantly. The term "diameter" used in this document applies to all cases, from a "true" diameter, where the filament is exactly circular in cross-section, to an "apparent" diameter where the filament is not circular. The methods proposed are not necessarily directly applicable to all types of filament. The product specification determines the method to be used. If there is no specification, the selection of the appropriate method is a matter of judgement. The details given here are considered to be sufficiently precise to enable this choice to be made.

ISO 2797:2017 establishes a basis for a specification for textile glass rovings, whether direct rovings or assembled rovings.

ISO 5025:2017 specifies a method for determining the width and length of a woven-fabric reinforcement in the form of a roll[1] . [1] Attention is drawn to ISO 22198 which is a related International Standard dealing with textiles.

ISO 30012:2016 specifies test methods for measurement of the size and aspect ratio of crushed carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP), especially for recycling purpose. In this International Standard the shape of crushed CFRP, the fragment, is treated as a rectangular shape, and the measurement of the long and short sides of the shape is described. It applies to fragments of the following average dimensions: - length of the long side: 5 mm to 50 mm; - width of the short side: 1 mm to 10 mm. ISO 30012:2016 provides three measuring methods, two methods are manual methods using microscope and scale and the third method is an automatic method using a measuring apparatus. Crushed CFRP obtained from thermosetting or thermoplastic resin matrices are covered by this International Standard. NOTE If the crushed CFRP contain a lot of small fragments and fine particle, it is intended to screen out by a sieve of 1 mm size before the measurement.

ISO 10122:2014 provides a basis for specifications applicable to tubular braided sleeves used as reinforcements in plastics. It deals with tubular sleeves braided from all types of yarn or roving.

ISO 1887:2014 specifies a method for the determination of the combustible-matter content of products made from textile glass, such as continuous-filament yarns, staple-fibre yarns, rovings, chopped strands, milled fibres, fabrics, chopped-strand and continuous-filament mats, and other glass reinforcements.