N94- 36399

ASTM TEST METHODS

CHARACTERIZATION

John
Lockheed

FOR COMPOSITE
AND EVALUATION

E. Masters

Engineering
144 Research

Hampton,
Telephone

Virginia

and Science
Drive
23666

804-766-9474

..... "

Outline

of Presentation:

Introduction
Objectives

Discussion

of ASTM

General

Discussion

Subcommittee

Composite
Evaluation

Materials

General
Test

PAGE BLANK

D-30

Industry

Methods

t_3T

Characterization

FILI_IL_

Practice

for Textile

Composites

and

Objectives:

Introduce

Offer

Recruit

ASTM Organization

ASTM

New,

as a Resource

Active

Members

and

Activities

American

Society

Definition

for Testing

A not-for-profit,
voluntary,
Standards
Development

ASTM publishes
standards
Systems
and Services

and Materials

full-consensus
Organization.

for Materials,

Products,

Activities
encompass
Metals,
Composites,
Adhesives,
Plastics,
Textiles,
paints,
petroleum,
construction,
energy,
the environment,
consumer
products,
medical
services
and devices,
computer
systems,
electronics,
and many others.

American

Society

Purpose

for Testing

and

"the Development
of Standards...
of Related
Knowledge."

Promotion

of Related

Knowledge

Symposia

and

Workshops

Technical

Publications

Materials

and

Accomplished

the Promotion

through:

American

Society

ASTM produces

for Testing

six principal

and Materials

types

of Standards.

They

are:

Standard
Test Methods
- a definitive
procedure
for the
identification,
measurement,
and evaluation
of one or more
qualities,
characteristics,
or properties
of a material,
product,
system,
or service that produces
a test result.

Standard
Specification
- a precise statement
of a set of
requirements
to be satisfied
by a material,
product,
system,
or service that also indicates
the procedures
for
determining
whether
each of the requirements
is satisfied.

Standard
Practice
- a definitive
one or more specific operations
produce
a test result.

procedure
or functions

for performing
that does not

Standard
Terminologya document
comprised
definitions,
descriptions
of terms, explanations
abbreviations,
or acronyms.

Standard
Guide - a series of options
do not recommend
a specific
course

of terms,
of symbols,

or instructions
of action.

that

Standard
Classification
- a systematic
arrangement
or
division
of materials,
products,
systems,
or services
into
groups
based on similar characteristics
such as origin,
composition,
properties,
or use.

American

Society

Technical

for Testing

Publications

ASTM publishes
than standards.

and Materials

a variety
of technical
They include:

documents

other

Special
Technical
Publications
(STPs) - collections
of
peer-reviewed
technical
papers.
Most STPs are based on
symposia
sponsored
by ASTM Technical
Committees.

Manuals,

Monographs,

Technical

Journal_..

Data

Series-

Journal

of Composites

Technology

Journal

of Testing

and

Evaluation

Cement,

Concrete,

and

Aggregates

Geotechnical

Journal

Note:

and

Papers

Testing

of Forensic

presented

in

and

Journal
Sciences

all publications

are

Research

American

Facts

Society

and

Figures

Organized

Membership

13 2 Standards-Writing

for Testing

and

Materials

In 1898.

Totals

34,000

Worldwide.

Committees.

Publishes
69 Volume

9000 ASTM Standards

In The
Annual
Book Of ASTM Standards.

Conducts

Approximately

Publishes

40 To 50 Standard

(STPs)

Annually.

40 Symposia

Technical

Annually.

Publications

American

Society

Information

for Testing

American
Society
1916 Race Street
Philadelphia,
Pa
19103-1187
Telephone:
FAX: (215)

10

and Materials

for Testing

(215)
299-5400
977-9679

and

Materials

on High

Roster

ASTM Committee
Modulus
Fibers and

of Officers

and Subcommittee

Chairman:

Chairmen

Vice

Dale W. Wilson
ASHRAE
1791 Tullie Circle
Atlanta, Ga 30329
Tel. (404) 636-8400

Subcommittees

Elizabeth

Chairman:

John

E. Masters

Lockheed
Eng. and Science
144 Research
Drive
Hampton,
Tel. (804)

and their

Subcommittee

D-30,
Their Composites

Va 23666
766-9474

Chairrfien:

D30.01

- Editorial

C. Goeke

U. S. Army Materials
Technology
Lab.
Attn. SLCMT-MRM
Watertown,
Massachusetts
02172-0001
Tel. (617) 923-5466
Subcommittee

D30.02-

Research

and Mechanics

Roderick
H. Martin
Analytical
Services
and Materials,
107 Research
Drive
Hampton,
Va 23666
Tel. (804) 865-7093
Subcommittee

D30.03

- Constituent

Inc.

Properties

Christopher
J. Spragg
Amoco Performance
Products
4500 McGinnis
Ferry Road
Alpharetta,
Georgia 30202-3944
Tel. (404) 772-8349
Subcommittee

D30.04-

Lamina/Laminate

Richard E. Fields
Martin Marietta
P. O. Box 628007
Mail Point 1404
Orlando,
Florida
32862-8007
Tel. (407)

Properties

356-5842
ll

ASTM Committee
D-30,
on High Modulus Fibers and Their Composites

Roster of Officers and Subcommittee

Subcommittee

D30.05 - Structural

Chairmen

(Cont.) :

Properties

Ronald F. Zabora
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
P. O. Box 3707
Mail Stop 48-02
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207
Tel. (206) 662-2655
Subcommittee

D30.06 - Interlaminar

Properties

T. Kevin O'Brien
U. S. Army Aeronautical
Directorate
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop 188E
Hampton, Virginia 23665-5225
Tel. (804) 864-3465
Subcommittee

D30.07 - Metal Matrix Composites

W. Steven Johnson
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop 188E
Hampton, Virginia 23665-5225
Tel. (804) 864-3463
Subcommittee

D30.08-

Thermomechanical

Thomas S. Gates
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop 188E
Hampton, Virginia 23665-5225
Tel. (804) 864-3400

ASTM Staff Manager

Kathie Schaaf
ASTM
1916 Race Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19103
Tel. (215) 299-5529
12

Properties

ASTM Committee
Modulus
Fibers and

on High
Test

Methods,

Practices,

High
Test

Guides,

Modulus

Fibers

and

Terminology

and Their

D2290-

- 84 (1989)

87

Apparent
Interlaminar
Shear
by Short-Beam
Method

Composite

Materials

- 87

Compressive
Composites

D3171

- 76 (1990)

Fiber

D3553

- 76 (1989)

Fiber Content
Composites

D3532

- 76 (1989)

Gel Time

D2586

- 68 (1990)

Hydrostatic
Cylinders

Compressive

D2585

- 68 (1990)

Preparation
Vessels

and Tension

- 67 (1990)

- 76 (1989)

D3529/3529M

Strength

- 90

Properties

Content

of Unidirectional

of Resin-Matrix
by Digestion

of Carbon

Resin Content
Extraction

of Reinforced

Fiber-Epoxy

of Carbon

Resin

Flow

of Carbon

Resin

Solids

Content

Tensile

Properties

of Fiber

D3039

- 76 (1989)

Tensile

Properties

of Fiber-Resin

D3479

- 76 (1990)

Tension-Tension
Composites

D4108

- 87

Thermal
Protective-Performance
Open-Flame
Method
Volatiles

Content

Fatigue

Fiber-Resin

Metal

Digestion

Matrix

Prepregs

Plastic

Pressure

by Solvent

Prepreg
Fiber-Epoxy

Reinforced

Metal

Prepreg
Matrix

Composites

Composites

of Oriented

of Epoxy-Matrix

and

by Matrix

of Filament-Wound

Fiber-Epoxy

- 77 (1989)

Plastics

of Glass-Reinforced

and Graphite

of Carbon

Composites

Prepreg

Strength

Testing

Fiber

or Crossply

Composites

D3552

D3530/D3530M-90

of Parallel

Apparent
Tensile Strength of Ring or Tubular
Reinforced
Plastics by Split Disk Method

D3410

D3531

Documents:

Methods:

D2344

C613

D-30,
Their
Composites

Fiber

of Materials

Prepreg

Resin

Matrix

for Clothing

by Matrix

by

Dissolution

13

on High

Test

ASTM Committee
D-30,
Modulus
Fibers and Their Composites

Methods,

Practices,

Guides,

and

Terminology

Documents

(Cont.)

Practices:
D2291

- 83 (1989)

Fabrication

D3518

- 91

Inplane
Plastics

Terminology
D3878

of Ring Test

Shear

Stress-Strain

Specimens

for Glass-Resin

Response

Composites

of Unidirectional

Reinforced

Relating:

- 87

High-Modulus

Reinforcing

D4762

- 88

Automotive/Industrial

D4255

- 83

Inplane

Fibers

and Their

Composites

Materials,

Testing

Guides:

Shear

Properties

High
Test

Composite

Modulus

of Composite

Laminates,

of
Testing

Fibers

Methods:

D3800

- 79 (1990)

Density

D4018

- 81

Tensile Properties
of Continuous
Filament
Yarns, Strands, Rovings,
and Tows

D3379

- 75 (1989)

Tensile Strength and Young's

Filament
Materials

D4102

- 82 (1987)

Thermal

Terminology
D3878

of High-Modulus

Oxidative

Fibers

Resistance

Modulus

Carbon

and Graphite

for High-Modulus

of Carbon

Single-

Fibers

Relating:

- 87

High-Modulus

- 76 (1989)

Reporting

Reinforcing

Fibers

and Their

Composites

Guides:
D3544

14

Test Methods

and Results

on High

Modulus

Fibers

on High

Recent

STP

ASTM Committee
Modulus
Fibers and

Special

1059

Technical

: Composite

STP

1080

Publications:

Materials:

S. P. Garbo,

1110

1120

: Composite

H. H. Moeller,

Materials:

: Composite

1128

: Damage

1156

Fatigue

Materials:

Detection

: Composite

Testing

1174

: High

STP

1203

Temperature

: Fractography
Composites,
J. E. Masters

STP

1206

Matrix

and Fracture

and Ceramic

Eds. - 1990

(Third

Volume)

and Design

(Tenth

Volume)

Materials

Ed. - 1992

Materials:

C. E. Harris

of Metal

and W. S. Johnson,

in Composite

W. W. Stinchcomb

STP

Volume)

Ed. - 1992

J. E. Masters,

STP

(Ninth

Ed. - 1991

G. C. Grimes,

STP

and Design

: Thermal
and Mechanical
Behavior
Matrix Composite
Materials

T. K. O'Brien,

STP

Test

Ed. - 1990

J. M. Kennedy,

STP

D-30,
Their Composites

Fatigue

and Fracture

and N. E. Ashbaugh,

Effects

on Polymeric

Materials:

Metals

Composites

Eds. - 1993

of Modern
Engineering
Second Volume
and L. N. Gilbertson,

: Composite
Materials:
E. T. Camponeschi,

Volume)

Eds. - 1993

and Environmental

and T. S. Gates,

(Fourth

and

Eds. - 1993

Testing and Design

Ed. - 1993

(Eleventh

Volume)

15

Composite
Characterization

A Survey

Of Major

Aircraft

Material
:
and Evaluation

Manufacturers

Indicates

Procedures
Are Designed
to Minimize
the Risk
Spending
A Large Amount
Of Funds
On'Materials
Which
Do Not Meet Structural
or Processing

that:

of

Requirements.

Materials
Evaluation
Material
Screening,
and Development

Conducted
in Three
Stages:
Material
Characterization,
of Design
Allowables,

Although
The Tests Employed
Properties
Measured
At Each
Were Similar
From Company

Focus

On Obtaining

The

The

Majority

Of Tests

Properties
And The
Of Great

Which
Are Most Useful
To The Designer
Structural
Analyst
But Which
May Not Be
Interest
To The Material
Scientist.

Three
Major
Design
an Aircraft:
Stiffness,
Stress
Concentrations
Bolt Holes.

16

Were Not Identical,

Level Of Investigation
To Company.

Factors
that Control
Damage
Tolerance,
at Cut-Outs
and

Mechanical

the

Weight
and
Loaded

of

Composite
Characterization

Screening

First Step
Evaluation

Objective:
Aircraft

Compared
Determine
Warranted.

Material
:
and Evaluation

Evaluation

In the Material
Process.

Characterization

Determine
Material
Structural
Applications.

Candidate
if a More

50 to 60 Tests

Material
Extensive

Typically

Acceptability

and

for

To A Baseline
Material
To
Evaluation
Program
is

Performed.

17

Composite
Characterization

Screening

Evaluation

A list of test methods

in the following

Test

Tests
employed

in screening

evaluations

is contained

table.

Environmental
Condition

Properties
Measured

Type
0 Tension

Strength,

Modulus

RTA

0 Compression

Strength,

Modulus

RTA, ETW

+/- 45 Tension

Strength,

Modulus

CTA, RTA, ETW

Interlaminar

Shear

Strength

RTA

Laminate
Compression

Strength

RTA

Open

Strength

CTA, RTA, ETW

Strength

CTA, RTA, ETW

Strength

RTA

Strength

RTA

Hole Tension

Open Hole
Compression
Compression
Impact
Bolt Bearing
Tension

Note:

18

commonly

Material
:
and Evaluation

after

CTA indicates

-65 F/Ambient

Moisture

RTA indicates
ETW indicates

Room Temperature/Ambient
Hevated
Temperature/Saturated

Conditions
Moisture
Conditions
Moisture
Conditions

Composite
Characterization

Material

Material
:
and Evaluation

Characterization

Objective:
Establish
Preliminary
for Design
and Analysis
of Test
Trade
Studies.

Measure

Lamina

Laminated

Measure

Plate

Laminate

Properties
Theory

Design
Properties
Components
for Design

Required
and

Properties

Failure

to Support
Criteria,

to Support

Analysis

and

Design.

200

to 250

Tests

Typically

Performed.

19

Composite
Characterization
Materials

Test

Characterization

A list of test methods commonly

in the following
table.

contained

Type

Tests

employed

in materials

Properties

:
characterization

Measured

tests is

Environmental
Condition

0 Tension

Strength,
Ratio

90 Tension

Strength,
Ratio

0 Compression

Strength,

90 Compression

Strength,

+/- 45 Tension

Modulus

In-Plane

Strength

RTA

Shear

Modulus,

Modulus,

Poisson's

Poisson's

Modulus
Modulus

CTA, RTA, ETW

CTA,

RTA, ETW

CTA, RTA, ETW

CTA, RTA,

ETW

CTA,

ETW

RTA,

Interlaminar

Shear

Strength

RTA

Intedaminar

Tension

Strength

RTA

Compression

Strength,

Laminate

Open Hole Tension

Open Hole Tension

Modulus

Strength
(Fatigue)

CTA, RTA,

ETW

CTA,

ETW

RTA,

S - N Data

RTA
RTA

Filled

Hole Tension

Strength

Open

Hole Compression

Strength

Filled

Hole Compression

Strength

RTA

Strength

RTA

Strength

RTA

GIC

RTA

GIIC

RTA

Compression

after

Bolt Bearing

Tension

Mode I Delamination
Mode II Delamination

Note:

2O

Material
:
and Evaluation

Bold
CTA
RTA
ETW

Impact

Resistance
Resistance

Type indicates tests performed in Screening Evaluation

indicates -65 o F/Ambient
Moisture Conditions
indicates Room Temperature/Ambient
Moisture Conditions
indicates Elevated Temperature/Saturated
Moisture Conditions

CTA,

RTA,

ETW

Composite
Characterization

Development

Material
:
and Evaluation

Of Design

Allowables

Objective:
Develop
Complete
Design
and Certification.

Database

Same Types
of Tests Used in Materials
Characterization
Evaluations.

Test

Matrix

Expanded

to Include

for

Screening

Additional

Configurations,
Alternate
Specimen
Geometries
Width/Diam.
Ratios),
Additional
Environmental
Conditions,
More Replicate
Tests on Samples
Several
Batches
of Material.

Could

Total

Certification

Thousands

of Tests

Final

Depending

and

Laminate
(e.g.
taken

from

on

Requirements.

21

Composite
Characterization
Tests

Applied

TEST TYPE

Material :
and Evaluation

to Laminated

Tape

Composites

TE_;T METHOD

TENSION:
Unnotched

ASTM D3039, D3518

MISC. COMPANY METHODS

Notched

SACMA SRM 5
NASA 1142- B9

COMPRESSION:
Unnotched

ASTM 3410
SACMA SRM1
NASA SHORT BLOCK
MISC. COMPANY METHODS

Notched

SACMA SRM 3
NASA 1092 ST-4
MISC. COMPANY METHODS
SACMA SRM 2

COMPRESSION
AFTER IMPACT

MISC. COMPANY

BOLT BEARING

INTERLAMINAR

NASA 1142 Bll

TENSION

METHODS

FLATWlSE TENSION
CURVED BEAM

INTERLAMINAR

SHEAR

ASTM D2344

MODE I DELAMINATION

DOUBLE CANTILEVER

MODE II DELAMINATION

END NOTCHED FLEXURE

BEAM

Note: SACMA Indicates Test Methods Developed by the Suppliers of Advanced Composite
Materials Association

22

Composite
Characterization

Physical

Properties

Prepreg

Measured

Tape:

Resin

Content

Fiber

Content

Volatile

Cured

Material
:
and Evaluation

Content

Laminates:

Resin

Content

Fiber

Content

Void

Content

Density/Specific

Gravity

Glass

Temperature

Transition

Equilibrium
Thermal
Heat

Moisture

(Dry and

Wet)

Content

Conductivity

Capacity

Coefs.
Thermal

of Thermal
Oxidative

Expansion
Stability

23

Development
of Test Methods
Textile
Composites

Program

Objective

As indicated

below,

develop

a set of test methods

physical

properties

Investigations
developed
address

conducted
largely

Develop
Test

Techniques

24

materials

to date have

reinforced

that existing

lnstrumen

For Textile

stated,

textile

methods,

preforms.

which

were

may not adequately

Mechanical
ta tion

Composites

is to

the mechanical

forms.

Recommended

And

simply

with fibrous

tape type composites,

new material

And Verify

effort,

to be used to measure

indicated

laminated

of these

Procedures

of this on-going

and guidelines

to evaluate

the subtleties

the objective

of composite

for

and

Development
Textile

Statement

of Problem

The problem
below.

Simply

composite

reinforced

tape.

program.
response
accurately

to be addressed

stated,

evaluate

significantly

of Test Methods
Composites

materials

formed

the braided,

The fiber
of these
reflect

textile

TEST

LAMINATED

and stitched

materials

statements

given

were developed

of pre-impregnated
materials

to be evaluated

roll in determining
methods

to

fiberdiffers
in this

the mechanical
and practices

materials?

DEVELOPED

FOR

COMPOSITES

ARCHITECTURE

MATERIAL

figures

composite

Will existing

of these

TAPE

layers

laminated

materials.

response

METHODS

TEXTILE

in the previous

will play a prime

composite

the material

of these

woven,

architecture

listed

in the two bullet

by laminating

The microstructure

from

is summarized

the test methods

for

CONTROLS

RESPONSE

25

Development
of Test Methods
Textile
Composites

Textile

Composites

Testing

for

Issues

It is not difficult to identify a number of specific testing issues relative to textile

composites.
Several of these concerns,
which are applicable
to virtually
all of the test
methods
listed on the previous page, are listed below.
The fin'st two reflect the unique size effects these materials
may present.
A unit
cell is defined as the smallest unit of repeated
fiber architecture.
It may be considered
the
building
block of the material.
The size of the unit cell is dependent
on a number of
factors including
the size of the yarns, the angle at which they are intertwined
or
interwoven,
and the intricacy
of the braid or weave pattern.
A representative
volume of
material must be tested and monitored
to accurately
reflect true material response.
Specimen
geometry
and strain gage sizes must be reexamined
in terms of unit cell size.
The effect of the sizes of the yarn bundles must also be considered
since they may also
affect the performance
and the measurements.
This is expressed
in the third statement.
The final three items on the list reflect concerns
over specimen
geometry.
Test
specimen
dimensions
established
for tape type composites
may not be applicable
to
textile composites.
The degree of heterogeneity
present in the latter materials
is quite
different
than that encountered
in the former.
The potential
effects of these differences
must be also quantified.

textile
Moire

A limited amount of relevant data has been developed

for 2-D triaxially
braided
composites.
These results will be reviewed
in the following
section.
They include
interferometry
and strength and modulus
measurements.

EFFECT OF UNIT CELL SIZE ON

MECHANICAL
PERFORMANCE
EFFECT
GAGE

EFFECT

OF UNIT CELL

OF TOW SIZE

ON MECHANICAL

ON STRAIN
MEASUREMENTS

AND FIBER

ARCHITECTURE

PERFORMANCE

EFFECT OF FINITE WIDTH

OPEN-HOLE
SPECIMENS
EFFECT OF EDGE
PERFORMANCE

ON UNNOTCHED

CONDITIONS

EFFECT OF TEXTILE
PERFORMANCE

26

SIZE

AND DISPLACEMENT

THICKNESS

AND

ON MECHANICAL

ON MECHANICAL

Development
of Test Methods
Textile
Composites

Program

Approach

A straightforward
previous

figure.

the concerns
braided,

An extensive

listed

and stitched

The general
methods

are supplied

approach

earlier.

has been

test program

The program,

preform

IDENTIFY

AND/OR

below.

DESIGN

Details

AND

MECHANICAL

AND
TEXT

TEST

Variety

of Test

Variety

of Instrumentation

Full Field

Analytical

IDENTIFY

will include

will consider

IDENTIFY

to meet

the objective
to gather

outlined

data

a wide variety

several

loading

of material

tested

in the

addressing
of woven,

conditions.

and test

pages.

CONFIGURATIONS

CONDUCT

which

is outlined

in the following

adopted

will be conducted

architectures,

approach

for

Strain

DEVELOP

SPECIMEN

FIXTURES

PROGRAM

Methods
Techniques

Measurements

Support

SMALLEST

LEVEL

APPROPRIATE

INSTRUMENTATION

OF HOMOGENEITY

TEST

METHODS

AND

GUIDELINES

27

Development
of Test Methods
Textile
Composites

for

Description
of Material Tested :
Preforms and Textile Parameters
Studied
Fifteen
The preform
indicated

types

type.

braided,

are listed

in parentheses.

each preform
evaluated

woven,

The

and stitched

below

in the table;

the number

reflects

manufacturers

TEXTILE

will be evaluated

table also lists the braid

The list of materials

by the aircraft

preforms

PREFORM

parameter

forms

program.

BRAIDS

- (4)

Size

% Longitudinal
Braid

Tows

Angle

3-D INTERLOCK
Weave
Warp,

STITCHED

WEAVE

Type
Weft,

- (6)

- (3)
and Weaver

UNIWEAVE

Stitch

Material

Stitch

Spacing

Stitch

Yarn

- (5)

Size

MATERIALS

28

that will be varied

TYPES

2-D TRIAXIAL
Tow

of each type to be tested

the material

in the ACT

FIBER:

HERCULES

RESIN:

SHELL

1895

AS4

in the program.

Tow

Size

that are being

is
for

Development
of Test Methods
Textile
Composites

Description

Triaxial

of Material

Braid

Tested

for

Pattern

The specimens
studied in this investigation
featured 2-D triaxially
braided AS4
graphite
fiber preforms
impregnated
with Shell 1895 epoxy resin. In a triaxially
braided
preform three yarns are intertwined
to form a single layer of 0"/+ O" material.
In this
case, the braided yarns are intertwined
in a 2 x 2 pattem.
Each + yam crosses
alternatively
over and under two - O yarns and vice versa. The 0 yams were inserted
between
the braided yarns. This yields a two dimensional
material.
The figure below
schematically
illustrates
the fiber architecture
and establishes
the nomenclature
used in
the paper.
The yams were braided over a cylindrical
mandrel to a nominal thickness
of 0.125
in. The desired preform thickness
was achieved
by overbraiding
layers; there are no
through-the-thickness
fibers. After braiding,
the preforms
were removed
from the
mandrel,
slit along the 0" fiber direction,
flattened,
and border stitched to minimize
fiber
shifting.
The resin was introduced
via a resin transfer molding process.

;in
Braider

olding

yams

Axial
loading
direction

I
Axial
yarns

Braid
Transverse

angle

Ioading
direction
29

Development
of Test Methods
Textile
Composites

Triaxial

Braid

Three

preform

in this study.

angle

per yarn.
The

parameters,

proportion

and yarn

size.

The AS4 fibers

longitudinal

yarns

The preform

parameters

incorporating

spacing.

These

MATERIAL

Yarn

expressed

yarn

were formed

of carriers
parameters

in terms

yarns

they differed

were

in braid

and is a function
of filaments

diameter

in all cases.
angle

varied

of 0 yarns.

of the number

have a nominal

than the braided

sizes;

as a percentage

yarns to total yarn content

size is expressed

are listed

72 longitudinal

the number

is typically

of longitudinal

were larger

had the same

The fabrics

listed

Tested

yarn size, and 0 yarn content,

used in these materials

architectures

Since

braid angle,

The last parameter

It is the volumetric
of braid

Configurations

for

of 7 microns.

The

B 1 and B2

and 0 yarn

content.

in the table.

with a 144 cartier

yarns.

The mandrel

was constant,

New England
diameters

Butt triaxial

varied

this had the effect

braider,

for each architecture.

of changing

the yarn

are also listed in the table.

BRAID

BRAIDER

0 YARN

PATTERN

YARN

SIZE

0 YARN

0 YARN

BRAID

CONTENT

SPACING

YARN

(Yarn/In.)

SPACING

SIZE

(%)

(Yarn/In.)
A1

0/+ 63

12K

24K

31.5

4.17

9.16

B1

0/+_66.5

6K

18K

37.6

4.77

11.98

B2

0/+70

6K

18K

34.0

4.37

12.74

Note:

K indicates
microns

3O

thousands.
in diameter

For the

AS-4 yarns,

each

filament

is 7

Development
of Test Methods
Textile
Composites
Unit

Cell Definition

for

A convenient
way to describe textile preforms
is to identify a unit cell of material
- a repeatable
unit of fabric geometry.
The unit cell represents
the complete
yarn
intertwinement
pattern.
The unit cell approach
has become the foundation
of textile
analysis and serves as a convenient
framework
in which to interpret
experimental
data.
The rhombic flame show in the figure defines a unit cell for the 2-D triaxially
braided material
studied in this program.
For computational
purposes,
it is desirable
to
define the smallest unit cell possible.
In some analyses,
rectangular
unit cells are also
required.
The rectangular
section shown in the figure represents
the smallest unit cell
identified.
The table shown below contains
the dimensions
of the unit cells for the three
architectures
tested.
The unit cell width is dependent
on the mandrel
diameter
and the
number of yarns braided.
The height of the unit cell is dependent
on the cell width and
the braid angle. Even though a conservative
definition
of the unit cell was applied in this
case, the data in the table indicate that the unit cells can be quite large compared
to
typical

specimen

and strain

gage

dimensions.

|lUll

UNIT

MATERIAL

CELL

DIMENSIONS

WIDTH

(in.)

HEIGHT

A1

0.48

0.12

B1

0.42

0.09

B2

0.46

0.08

(in.)

31

MOIRI_
Axial

Load

INTERFEROMETRY

- Vertical

Displacement

Field

As indicated
earlier, Moird interferometry
was used to define the fullfield strain
distribution
in these braided specimens.
The technique
defines deformation
patterns
in
both the vertical and horizontal
directions.
The technique
was applied to specimens
subjected
to longitudinal
and transverse
loading.
These results are shown in this and the
following
figures.
The figure below illustrates
the specimen
geometry
and highlights
the section
studied.
The vertical displacement
field that resulted
when a specimen
was loaded to
1200 micro-strain
along the 0" fiber direction
is also shown in the figure.
The vertical displacement
fields (V fields) consist of basically
horizontal
fringes;
this indicates
specimen
extension
where points along one fringe have been displaced
vertically
with respect to points along a neighboring
fringe.
For a uniform
extension
the
fringes should be evenly spaced and straight.
The fringes for the specimens
tested,
however,
are wavy and the spacing between them varies.
The variation
is cyclic and
coincides
with the repeated
unit of the textile architecture.

'_-_

1.50

in.

O* Fiber
Direction

iiii_iiiiiii_iiiii!iii_iiiii_i_i!i_iiii{iiii_iiiiiiiii
.;.:.:.:.:,:.:.:,:.:,:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

iiiiii
iiiiiiiii
.50 in.

::_:?_:_:_:??!:?_:_:_:_:_:?_:_:_:_:_:;:;:_:_:_:_:?

O
Vertical

32

Displacement

Field

MOIR]_ INTERFEROMETRY
Axial

Load

- Horizontal

Displacement

Field

The horizontal
displacement
patterns
(U fields) consist of zigzag vertical
fringes that display the Poisson's
effect. For uniform conwacdon
the fringes should be
straight and the spacing constant.
The fringes however
display a variation
which is
cyclic, and matches
that Of the braid geomen-y.
The sharp kinks in the U field fringes
reveal the presence
of shear strains between the fiber bundles.

-__J

1.50

in.

tO

Direction
Fiber

Horizontal

Displacement

Field

33

ENLARGED

The

figure

that consists
oudine

shows

bundles

patterns

as the distance

presence

of the resin

of the width

the resin

rich

zones

Cy. Additionally,
unit cell.
within

of the fiber

between

bundle

the U field

shows

The

and is nearly

clearly

shows

was about

constant

Vertical

Horizontal

width

Displacement

Displacement

and the

at interfaces

is consistent

with the

that the shear

applied

strain

fringe

_y varies

spacing.

all of the resin

Field

Field

The
strain
rich

of one
Txy in

normal

was nearly'constant

that the strain

in the

was on the order

2 to 1. The normal

throughout

bundles

is illustrated

that of the average

effect

of specimen

deformation

which

U field shows

region
fiber

This

bundles,

by the nonuniform

strain

This

lines.

that the Poisson

pattern

ey to minimum

bundles

the fiber

was on the order of 0.5 times

unit cell as can be seen

strain

width.

spaced

itself.

adjacent

that the shear

over a finite

the closely

rich areas

The V displacement

each

maximum

between

OF SPECIMEN

magnified

between

It was revealed

occurred

of the fiber

of a highly

The boundaries

of the cells are marked.

the fiber

OF TWO UNIT CELLS

(Axial Loading)

the V and U fields

of two unit cells.

between

fifth

VIEW

strain

across

the

significantly
ratio of
varies

zones.

on top

SPECIMEN
SECTION
COINCIDING
MOIRE
FRINGE
PATTERNS
(Transverse
Loading)

Interferomeu-y
direction
these
figure.

was also performed

on specimens

(i.e. at 90" to the axial direction).

This figaa'e

specimens.

The pattern

The deformation

fields

of the surface
that developed

braided

loaded
shows

yarns

in these

WITH

in the transverse
the re#on

is shown

coupons

investigated

schematically

are shown

in
in the

in the next two

figures.

0 Fiber
Direction

35

MOIRI_
Transverse

Load.

INTERFEROMETRY
Vertical

Displacement

Field

In general, the inte,_erometry

results indicate that greater variations
in normal
shear strains existed in specimens
loaded in the transverse
direction
than in the axial
dix_tion.

and

This figure displays

the vertical displacement
fieId for a coupon loaded in the
transverse
direction.
The location of the yarns is evident in the vertical displacement
fi-inge patterns,
where sudden jogs in the fringes represent
strong shear strains in the resin
rich regions between
the yarns.
From the V displacement
pattern, the spacing of the
fi'inges in the vertical direction
displays a cyclic variation.
The strains are highest over
the region where there are 90 fibers under the braider yams.
They are lowest over the
regions where the braider yarns cross. The difference
between the average strains in
these areas is on the order of 3 times.

Unlike the axial loading case, the cyclic variation

is not confined
to the
dimensions
of the unit ceil. The variation
breaches the unit cell to form a global material
response
that covers the entire specimen.
This is illustrated
by the horizontal
bands seen
in the figure. They span several unit cetis and extend across the specimen
width.

0 Fiber
Direction

Vertical
36

Displacement

Field

Development
Textile

Effect

of Strain

of Test Methods
Composites

Gage

for

Size on Modulus

The inhomogeneity
in the strain fields demonstrated
in the Moir6 interferometric
results discussed
in the previous
slides has significant
implications
with regard to
specimen
instrumentation.
The large strain gradients
seen within the unit cell graphically
illustrate
the need to measure
strain over a truly representative
volume of material to get
an accurate
determination
of the global material response.
Local strain readings
can be
misleading

and confusing.

The data shown in the figure below demonstrate

these points.
The figure plots the
measured
transverse
modulus of several B 1 laminates
vs. the size of the gages used to
measure the strain. The gages ranged in length from 0.062 in. to 1.0 in.; the preform's
unit cell measures
0.42 in. in this direction.
The average modulus
and the standard
deviation
of the data are shown in the figure.
As the figure indicates,
significant
scatter
was evident in the results obtained using the small gages. These effects are reduced as
the length
decreased

of the gage increased.

The results
as strain gage size increased.

The results
instrumentation

illustrate

the need

to consider

that average

the textile

value

architecture

also

when

choosing

for a specimen.

Transverse
10.00

also indicate

Modulus

vs Strain

'

'

'

'

'

'

"

Gage

Size

8.00

O3

6.00
O3

.J 4.00
Q

0
2.00

0.00

0.00

'

'

'

'

0.25

0.50
STRAIN

GAGE

1.00

0.75
SIZE

1.25

(in.)
37

Development
Textile

Effect

of Strain

The figure
strain

gage

below

modulus

in these

presents

results

measurements.

A line indicating

dimension

has been

marking

the point

the point

added

where

of a second

The figure

measurements

measurements.

versus

strain

dimensions

where

the strain

evaluation

of variation

of the effect

Six strain

gage length

were

in the legend
equals

in the

the unit cell

the data.

equals

to the

gage types

are indicated

Similarly,

a line

5% has also been added

figure.

The
choosing

figure

again

illustrates

instrumentation

the need

to consider

the textile

architecture

when

for a specimen.

Effect of Strain Gage Length on Modulus Measurements

(2-D Triaxial Braided Laminates)
I

25.00

Gage Length
Unit

20.00

(u
>

Cell

Height

Gage: 12S BZ (.125

x.062)

[]

Gage:

125

AD (.125

x.12S)

Gage: 250

UN (.250

x .120)

Gage: 250

AE (.250

x .250)

Gage: 500

UW (.S00

x .180)

Gage: 500

AE (.S00

x .SO0)

[]

15.00

o
P'

_Q
....o

10.00

Qii.
DEll

o
(J

[]
[]

Coefficient

of Variation

= 5 %

5.00

O
0.00
10O

200

300

400

500

600

Ratio of Gage Length to Unit Cell Length (%)

38

of

of variation

size (normalized

to aid in interpreting

the coefficient

plots the coefficient

gage

of loading).

Their

to the figure

for

Size on Modulus

of the unit cell in the direction

examined
figure.

Gage

size on modulus

in the computed
dimension

shown

of Test Methods
Composites

70O

to the

MATERIAL
ARCHITECTURE
TEST
COUPON
GEOMETRY

AND

The preform architecture

must also be considered
when designing
test specimens.
The figure below contains a photograph
of a tensile test coupon.
The specimen,
which is
typical of those commonly
used in screening
and evaluation
test programs,
is 1.5 in. wide
and 10 in. long. Superposed
on the photograph
are the B2 architecture's
unit cell
dimensions.
As the figure illustrates,
when oriented
in this direction,
the specimen
is
only three unit cells wide. This again raises the question of whether
a representative
volume of material is being sampled in the test.

Specimen width and thickness must be considered when designing, test specimens
to attain true measures of modulus and strength. Unfortunately,
design criteria have not
yet been established for these materials.

1.50

UNIT CE

in.

0.08

in.

39

Development
of Test Methods
Textile
Composites

Effect

of Specimen

Width

on

A series of longitudinal
tensile tests were conducted
of specimen
width on strength of the B2 type 2-D triaxially
an earlier figure.
In these tests specimen
width was varied
to 4.0 in. (8 unit cells wide).

for

Strength

to judge cursorily
the effect
braided laminates
defined in
from 1.0 in. (2 unit cells wide)

The results of these tests are shown in the figure below.

The data, which have
been normalized
to 55% fiber volume to simplify the comparison,
indicate
that specimen
width had no apparent effect on the test results for this architecture.
The average
strengths
and the standard deviations
of the results (indicated
by the bars in the figure)
were comparable
for each group of tests (note: the 4.0 in. data represents
the average of
two tests; the standard
deviation
was not computed).
A larger, more complete,
examination
of the interaction
of textile architecture
test laminate
geometry
is underway
as a part of an effort to develop
test methods for
textile composites.
This effort will be outlined in the following
pages.

80.0

70.0
60.0
-r
I-

O
Z
u.I
ItaO

50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0

1.0

2.0
SPECIMEN

4O

3.0
WIDTH

(In.)

and

Development
of Test Methods
Textile
Composites

Summary

Investigation

A brief
below.

summary

strain

architecture.
considered
laminates

investigation

gradients

existed

when

when

Finally,

choosing

in the presentation

field is an important

for a test specimen.

a width

effect,

discussed

test method

INHOMOGENEITY
INSTRUMENTATION

ON-GOING
UNDERWAY

factor

Although

indicated

that

of the braid
that must

be

the 2-D braided

the size of the unit cell must

also be

a test specimen.

the concerns

CELL

is given

materials

unit cell as a result

above

and others

development

listed

SIZE

IN STRAIN

MAY

AFFECT

INVESTIGATION

in an earlier

figure

will be

effort.

MOIRI_ INTERFEROMETRY
IDENTIFIED
GRADIENTS
WITHIN
THE UNIT CELL

UNIT

Braids:

on 2-D braided

the materials

instrumentation

designing

reviewed

conducted

in the strain

did not demonstrate

in an on-going

results

within

This inhomogeneity

tested

considered

addressed

of the technical

The experimental

significant

of 2-D

for

LARGE

FIELD

EFFECTS

TEST

RESULTS

TO DEFINE

TEXTILE

STRAIN

TEST

METHODS

41