ASTM D3531/D3531M-11
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Resin Flow of Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Prepreg
Standard Test Method for Resin Flow of Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Prepreg
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is used to obtain the resin flow of carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg tape or sheet material. It is suitable for comparing lots of material of supposedly the same characteristics and also for comparative evaluation of materials produced by different vendors using different resin-fiber combinations.
Composite parts are laminated from prepreg material at various pressures and temperatures. Production process design will require a flow test be run at a temperature and a pressure close to that of the actual molding conditions. All methods of measuring resin flow are dependent on the size and geometry of the specimen. This test method uses the smallest quantity of tape that will give reproducible results.
The percent resin flow of a single fiber and resin system at a temperature and pressure varies with the volatile content, degree of advancement of epoxy resin, and with the resin content of the prepreg tape or sheet.
As volatile content and degree of resin cure (advancement) change with time, this test method is useful in comparing the life of prepreg tape and sheet.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount of resin flow that will take place from prepreg tape or sheet under given conditions of temperature and pressure.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.2.1 Within the text, inch-pound units are shown in brackets.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D3531/D3531M − 11
StandardTest Method for
1
Resin Flow of Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Prepreg
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3531/D3531M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope for comparing lots of material of supposedly the same charac-
teristics and also for comparative evaluation of materials
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationoftheamount
produced by different vendors using different resin-fiber com-
of resin flow that will take place from prepreg tape or sheet
binations.
under given conditions of temperature and pressure.
3.2 Composite parts are laminated from prepreg material at
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
various pressures and temperatures. Production process design
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
will require a flow test be run at a temperature and a pressure
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
close to that of the actual molding conditions. All methods of
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
measuring resin flow are dependent on the size and geometry
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
of the specimen.This test method uses the smallest quantity of
with the standard.
tape that will give reproducible results.
1.2.1 Within the text, inch-pound units are shown in brack-
ets. 3.2.1 The percent resin flow of a single fiber and resin
system at a temperature and pressure varies with the volatile
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
content, degree of advancement of epoxy resin, and with the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
resin content of the prepreg tape or sheet.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.2 As volatile content and degree of resin cure (advance-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ment)changewithtime,thistestmethodisusefulincomparing
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the life of prepreg tape and sheet.
2. Summary of Test Method
4. Apparatus
2.1 Aweighed specimen consisting of two plies a minimum
size of 50-mm [2.0-in.] square, oriented in a 0°/ 90° crossply
4.1 Cutting Template, square metal, 50 by 50 mm [2.0 by
configuration, and sandwiched between bleeder material and
2.0 in.], minimum.
release film.The sandwich is placed in a platen press heated to
4.2 Cutting Template, metal, 100 by 100 mm [4.0 by 4.0
either temperatureA, 120°C [250°F], or temperature B, 175°C
in.], minimum.
[350°F]oranotherspecifiedtemperature.Thepressisclosedto
provide a pressure of 700 kPa [100 psi]. The pressure is held
4.3 Cutting Knife, single edge.
for 15 min or until the resin gels. The cooled sandwich
4.4 Analytical Balance capable of weighing to the nearest
assembly is removed and the resin that has flowed to the edges
0.001 g [0.000035 oz].
of the specimen is removed and the specimen reweighed. The
change in weight is expressed as a percent of the original
4.5 Glass Bleeder Cloth, Style 1581 or 181.
weight and reported as percent flow.
4.6 TFE-Fluorocarbon Coated, Woven Separator Cloth,
2
porous.
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This test method is used to obtain the resin flow of 4.7 Release Film of 0.03 to 0.06 mm [0.001 to 0.002 in.]
carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg tape or sheet material. It is suitable
thickness polyester, aluminum, etc.
4.8 PlatenPress,capableofbeingheatedto175 63°C[350
6 5°F] and capable of applying 4000 N [900 lbf].
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.03 on
Constituent/Precursor Properties.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2011. Published November 2011. Originally
2
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D3531–99(2009). DuPont product TX-1040 or equivalent has been found satisfactory for this
DOI: 10.1520/D3531_D3531M-11. purpose.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3531/D3531M − 11
5. Interferences 7.2 Do not expose the material, which usually has some
volatile content, at ambient temperature for long periods of
5.1 Thistestmethoddependsonplatenforcebeingsupplied
time before testing is begun.
evenly to the specimen. For this to be done, the platen must
load evenly across its surface and not point load to the point of
8. Procedure
initial contact. When bleeder materia
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D3531–99 (Reapproved 2009) Designation: D3531/D3531M – 11
Standard Test Method for
1
Resin Flow of Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Prepreg
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3531/D3531M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount of resin flow that will take place from prepreg tape or sheet under
given conditions of temperature and pressure.
1.2The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are for reference only.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.2.1 Within the text, inch-pound units are shown in brackets.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Summary of Test Method
2.1 Aweighedspecimenconsistingoftwopliesaminimumsizeof50-mm(2.0-in.)square0–1.57rad(0to90°)crosspliedtape
is[2.0-in.] square, oriented in a 0°/ 90° crossply configuration, and sandwiched between bleeder material and release film. The
sandwich is placed in a platen press heated to either temperature A, 120°C (250°F),[250°F], or temperature B, 175°C
(350°F)[350°F] or any other temperature specified. another specified temperature.The press is closed to provide a pressure of 700
kPa (100 psi).[100 psi]. The pressure is held for 15 min or until the resin gels. The cooled sandwich assembly is removed and the
resin that has flowed to the edges of the specimen is removed and the specimen reweighed. The change in weight is expressed as
a percent of the original weight and reported as percent flow.
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This test method is used to obtain the resin flow of carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg tape or sheet material. It is suitable for
comparing lots of material of supposedly the same characteristics and also for comparative evaluation of materials produced by
different vendors using different resin-fiber combinations.
3.2 Composite parts are laminated from prepreg material at various pressures and temperatures. Production process design will
require a flow test be run at a temperature and a pressure close to that of the actual molding conditions.All methods of measuring
resin flow are dependent on the size and geometry of the specimen. This test method uses the smallest quantity of tape that will
give reproducible results.
3.2.1 The percent resin flow of a single fiber and resin system at a temperature and pressure varies with the volatile content,
degree of advancement of epoxy resin, and with the resin content of the prepreg tape or sheet.
3.2.2 As volatile content and degree of resin cure (advancement) change with time, this test method is useful in comparing the
life of prepreg tape and sheet.
4. Apparatus
4.1 Cutting Template, square metal, 50 by 50 mm (2.0[2.0 by 2.0 in.),in.], minimum.
4.2 Cutting Template, metal, 100 by 100 mm (4.0[4.0 by 4.0 in.),in.], minimum.
4.3 Cutting Knife, single edge.
4.4 Analytical Balance capable of weighing to the nearest 0.001 g [0.000035 oz].
4.5 Glass Bleeder Cloth, Style 1581 or 181.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.03 on
Constituent/Precursor Properties.
Current edition approved Sept.Oct. 1, 2009.2011. Published November 2009.2011. Originally approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
D3531–99(20049). DOI: 10.1520/D3531-99R09.10.1520/D3531_D3531M-11.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3531/D3531M – 11
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4.6 TFE-Fluorocarbon Coated, Woven Separator Cloth, porous.
4.7 Release Film of 0.03 to 0.06 mm (0.001[0.001 to 0.002 in.)in.] t
...
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