ASTM C271/C271M-16

Standard Test Method for Density of Sandwich Core Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Density is a fundamental physical property that can be used in conjunction with other properties to characterize the sandwich core. Most sandwich core structural properties, such as strength and stiffness, are proportional to the density.  
5.2 This test method provides a standard method of obtaining sandwich core density data for design properties, material specifications, research and development applications, and quality assurance.  
5.3 Factors that influence the density and shall therefore be reported include the following: core material, methods of material fabrication, core geometry (nominal cell size), specimen geometry, specimen preparation, methods of weight and dimensional measurement, specimen conditioning, and moisture content during weight and dimensional measurements.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the density of sandwich construction core materials. Permissible core material forms include those with continuous bonding surfaces (such as balsa wood and foams) as well as those with discontinuous bonding surfaces (such as honeycomb).  
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 the 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Mar-2016
• ICS: 83.120 - Reinforced plastics
• Technical Committee: D30 - Composite Materials
• Drafting Committee: D30.09 - Sandwich Construction

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C271/C271M − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Density of Sandwich Core Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C271/C271M; 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.
1. Scope ASTM Test Methods
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the density
of sandwich construction core materials. Permissible core
3. Terminology
material forms include those with continuous bonding surfaces
3.1 Definitions—Terminology D3878 defines terms relating
(such as balsa wood and foams) as well as those with
to high-modulus fibers and their composites, as well as terms
discontinuous bonding surfaces (such as honeycomb).
relating to sandwich constructions. Terminology D883 defines
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
terms relating to plastics.Terminology E456 and Practice E177
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
define terms relating to statistics. In the event of a conflict
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
between terms, Terminology D3878 shall have precedence
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
over the other terminologies.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
3.2 Symbols:
with the standard.
3.2.1 CV—coefficient of variation statistic of a sample
1.2.1 Within the text the inch-pound units are shown in
population for a given property (in percent)
brackets.
3.2.2 d —density of a test specimen in inch-pound units
IP
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.3 d —density of a test specimen in SI units
SI
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.4 l—length of a test specimen
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.5 S —standard deviation statistic of a sample popula-
n–1
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion for a given property
3.2.6 t—thickness of a test specimen
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.7 x—test result for an individual specimen from the
2 i
2.1 ASTM Standards:
sample population for a given property
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
3.2.8 x¯—mean or average (estimate of mean) of a sample
D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials
population for a given property
D5229/D5229M Test Method for MoistureAbsorption Prop-
3.2.9 w—width of a test specimen
erties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix
Composite Materials
3.2.10 W—mass of a test specimen
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
4. Summary of Test Method
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
4.1 This test method consists of environmentally condition-
Lot or Process
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier ing a sandwich core specimen, weighing the specimen, mea-
suring the length, width and thickness of the specimen, and
Packaging
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in calculating the density.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Density is a fundamental physical property that can be
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.09 on used in conjunction with other properties to characterize the
Sandwich Construction.
sandwich core. Most sandwich core structural properties, such
Current edition approved March 15, 2016. Published March 2016. Originally
as strength and stiffness, are proportional to the density.
approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as C271/C271M – 11.
DOI: 10.1520/C0271_C0271M-16.
5.2 This test method provides a standard method of obtain-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ing sandwich core density data for design properties, material
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
specifications, research and development applications, and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. quality assurance.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C271/C271M − 16
5.3 Factors that influence the density and shall therefore be size is 300 mm [12.0 in.] in length by 300 mm [12.0 in.] in
reported include the following: core material, methods of width, with the thickness equal to the sandwich core thickness.
NOTE 1—The specimen’s cross-sectional area (length times width) i
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: C271/C271M − 11 C271/C271M − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Density of Sandwich Core Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C271/C271M; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the density of sandwich construction core materials. Permissible core material
forms include those with continuous bonding surfaces (such as balsa wood and foams) as well as those with discontinuous bonding
surfaces (such as honeycomb).
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 the 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. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
C274 Terminology of Structural Sandwich Constructions (Withdrawn 2016)
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials
D5229/D5229M Test Method for Moisture Absorption Properties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix Composite
Materials
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or
Process
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Packaging
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
3
E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases (Withdrawn 2015)
3
E1434 Guide for Recording Mechanical Test Data of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials in Databases (Withdrawn 2015)
E1471 Guide for Identification of Fibers, Fillers, and Core Materials in Computerized Material Property Databases (Withdrawn
3
2015)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terminology D3878 defines terms relating to high-modulus fibers and their composites.
Terminologycomposites, as C274 defineswell as terms relating to structural sandwich constructions. Terminology D883 defines
terms relating to plastics. Terminology E456 and Practice E177 define terms relating to statistics. In the event of a conflict between
terms, Terminology D3878 shall have precedence over the other terminologies.
3.2 Symbols:
3.2.1 CV—coefficient of variation statistic of a sample population for a given property (in percent)
3.2.2 d —density of a test specimen in inch-pound units
IP
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.09 on Sandwich
Construction.
Current edition approved April 1, 2011March 15, 2016. Published May 2011March 2016. Originally approved in 1951. Last previous edition approved in 20052011 as
C271/C271M – 05.C271/C271M – 11. DOI: 10.1520/C0271_C0271M-11.10.1520/C0271_C0271M-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C271/C271M − 16
3.2.3 d —density of a test specimen in SI units
SI
3.2.4 l—length of a test specimen
3.2.5 S —standard deviation statistic of a sample population for a given property
n–1
3.2.6 t—thickness of a test specimen
3.2.7 x —test result for an individual specimen from the sample population for a given property
i
3.2.8 x¯—mean or average (estimate of mean) of a sample population for a given property
3.2.9 w—width of a test specimen
3.2.10 W—mass of a test specimen
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method consists of environmentally conditioning a sandwich core specimen, weighing the specimen, measuring
the length, w
...