ASTM D3410 Compression of Composites

Scope:

Shear Loading evaluation of polymer composite materials using ASTM D3410 provides material data including compressive strength, strain, Poisson’s ratio, and modulus. Combining materials with different properties to prepare composite materials may result in material discord and nonconformance with the standards. Therefore, before using them in real-life conditions, it is important to know about the compression properties in the plane of composite materials where the polymer matrix is reinforced with high-modulus fibers.

Test Procedure:

ASTM D3410 uses a fixture for this test. The test fixture is made to provide a compressive load to a specimen unsupported at the center. This fixture is used to align the rectangular specimen of a particular thickness in the wedge grips and the grips are tightened afterward. Then the wedges are inserted into the compression fixture and compressed till specimen failure occurs. In case of the use of an extensometer for measuring the strain, it is attached to the test specimen. The specimen is then compressed to failure.

Specimen size:

Specimens with a uniform rectangular cross-section are used in this test. A variety of thicknesses can be put up for a test. The recommended length is between 140 mm and 155 mm (5.5 inches to 6 inches), and recommended width can be 12 mm (0.5 inch) or 25 mm (1 inch). Tabs may be fixed to the ends of the thin specimens to ensure failure in case of the unsupported gauge length.

Result:

Data for the following compressive properties tested are provided: ultimate compressive strength, ultimate compressive strain, compressive chord modulus of elasticity, compressive Poisson’s Ratio, and three-part failure identification codes.

Conclusion:

ASTM D3410 is a standard test method for compressive properties of polymer matrix composite materials with unsupported gage section by shear loading.