ASTM D5528/D5528M-21

Standard Test Method for Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Susceptibility to delamination is one of the major design concerns for many advanced laminated composite structures. Knowledge of a laminated composite material's resistance to interlaminar fracture is useful for product development and material selection. Furthermore, a measurement of the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness that is independent of specimen geometry or method of force introduction is useful for establishing design allowables used in damage tolerance analyses of composite structures. Knowledge of both the non-precracked and precracked toughness allows the appropriate value to be used for the application of interest.  
5.2 This test method can serve the following purposes:  
5.2.1 To establish quantitatively the effect of fiber surface treatment, local variations in fiber volume fraction, and processing and environmental variables on GIc of a particular composite material;  
5.2.2 To compare quantitatively the relative values of GIc for composite materials with different constituents;  
5.2.3 To compare quantitatively the values of GIc obtained from different batches of a specific composite material, for example, to use as a material screening criterion or to develop a design allowable; and  
5.2.4 To develop delamination failure criteria for composite damage tolerance and durability analyses.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the determination of the opening mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness,  GIc, of unidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite laminates using the double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen (Fig. 1).  
FIG. 1 Double Cantilever Beam Specimen  
1.2 This test method is limited to use with composites consisting of unidirectional carbon-fiber and glass-fiber-reinforced laminates with brittle or tough single-phase polymer matrices. This limited scope reflects the experience gained in round-robin testing. This test method may prove useful for other types and classes of composite materials; however, certain interferences have been noted (see 6.6).  
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
1.3.1 Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in brackets.  
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.  
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Nov-2021
• ICS: 83.120 - Reinforced plastics
• Technical Committee: D30 - Composite Materials
• Drafting Committee: D30.06 - Interlaminar Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D5229/D5229M-20 - Standard Test Method for Moisture Absorption Properties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5528/D5528M − 21
Standard Test Method for
Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional
1
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5528/D5528M; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method describes the determination of the
D792Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
opening mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness, G , of unidi-
Ic
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
rectional fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite laminates
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
using the double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen (Fig. 1).
D2584Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced
1.2 This test method is limited to use with composites
Resins
consisting of unidirectional carbon-fiber and glass-fiber-
D2651GuideforPreparationofMetalSurfacesforAdhesive
reinforcedlaminateswithbrittleortoughsingle-phasepolymer
Bonding
matrices. This limited scope reflects the experience gained in
D2734TestMethodsforVoidContentofReinforcedPlastics
round-robin testing. This test method may prove useful for
D3171Test Methods for Constituent Content of Composite
other types and classes of composite materials; however,
Materials
certain interferences have been noted (see 6.6).
D3878Terminology for Composite Materials
D5229/D5229MTestMethodforMoistureAbsorptionProp-
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
erties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
Composite Materials
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva-
D7905/D7905M Test Method for Determination of the
lents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each
Mode II Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirec-
system shall be used independently of the other, and values
tional Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites
from the two systems shall not be combined.
E4Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Test-
1.3.1 Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in
ing Machines
brackets.
E6Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
E122PracticeforCalculatingSampleSizetoEstimate,With
operations, and equipment.
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
Lot or Process
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ASTM Test Methods
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E456Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3.1 Terminology D3878 defines terms relating to high-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the modulus fibers and their composites. Terminology D883 de-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- fines terms relating to plastics. Terminology E6 defines terms
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical relating to mechanical testing. Terminology E456 and Practice
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. E177 define terms relating to statistics. In the event of conflict
between terms, Terminology D3878 shall have precedence
over the other terminology standards.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.06 on
2
Interlaminar Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2021. Published January 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D5528–13. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5528_D5528M-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5528/D5528M − 21
FIG. 1 Double Cantilever Beam Specimen
NOTE 1—If the term represents a phys
...

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: D5528 − 13 D5528/D5528M − 21
Standard Test Method for
Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional
1
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5528;D5528/D5528M; 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 describes the determination of the opening Mode I mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness, G , of
Ic
continuousunidirectional fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite materialslaminates using the double cantilever beam (DCB)
specimen (Fig. 1).
1.2 This test method is limited to use with composites consisting of unidirectional carbon fiber and glass fiber tape carbon-fiber
and glass-fiber-reinforced laminates with brittle andor tough single-phase polymer matrices. This limited scope reflects the
experience gained in round-robin testing. This test method may prove useful for other types and classes of composite materials;
however, certain interferences have been noted (see 6.56.6).
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values
givenstated in parentheses are for information only. each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure
conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not
be combined.
1.3.1 Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in brackets.
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.
1.5 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.06 on Interlaminar
Properties.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013Nov. 15, 2021. Published November 2013January 2022. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20092013
ε3
as D5528 – 01D5528 – 13.(2007) . DOI: 10.1520/D5528-13.10.1520/D5528_D5528M-21.
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 ----------------------
D5528/D5528M − 21
FIG. 1 DoubleDouble Cantilever Beam Specimen
D2584 Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced Resins
D2651 Guide for Preparation of Metal Surfaces for Adhesive Bonding
D2734 Test Methods for Void Content of Reinforced Plastics
D3171 Test Methods for Constituent Content of Composite Materials
D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials
D5229/D5229M Test Method for Moisture Absorption Properties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix Composite
Materials
D7905/D7905M Test Method for Determination of the Mode II Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional Fiber-
Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites
E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Testing Machines
E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or
Process
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision
...