ASTM D4762-88(2001)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Testing Automotive/Industrial Composite Materials
Standard Guide for Testing Automotive/Industrial Composite Materials
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the testing of molded automotive/industrial composite materials. It is intended to increase the users awareness of the special considerations necessary for the testing of these materials. In addition, the user is provided with a comparison of some of the more commonly used ASTM International standard test methods that are applicable for evaluating automotive/industrial composites.
1.2 Areas in which current ASTM International standard test methods do not meet the needs for testing of automotive/industrial composites are indicated. This provides direction for future standardization work.
1.3 It is not the intent of this guide to cover all test methods which could possibly be used for automotive/industrial composites. Only the most commonly used and most applicable standards are included.
1.4 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: D 4762 – 88 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Guide for
Testing Automotive/Industrial Composite Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4762; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
A new class of composite materials has been developed to meet the needs of automotive and
industrial mass production applications. This new class of materials, referred to as automotive/
industrial composites, is comprised of filled and unfilled polymers reinforced with chopped or
continuous high modulus, or both (greater than 20.7 GPa (3 3 10 psi)) fibers.
Automotive/industrial composites possess some of the same advantages as high-performance
aerospace composites. However, some aspects of performance are traded off for reduced cost, ease of
manufacturing, and high quality appearance. Automotive/industrial composites are also different from
materials classified as plastics. This difference arises from the use of high modulus fiber reinforcement
to provide substantial improvements in structural properties of the base polymer system.
Currently, ASTM International standard test methods developed for high performance composites
or plastics, or both, are used for testing of automotive/industrial composites. In many cases, these
standards are quite adequate if proper attention is given to the special testing considerations for
automotive/industrial composites covered in this guide. However, in some cases, current standards do
not meet the needs for testing of the required properties. In this case, revised standards or new
standards specifically for automotive/industrial composites may be desirable.
In addition to covering the special considerations required for automotive/industrial composites
testing, this guide points out and compares existing ASTM International standards applicable to these
materials. This is done only for some of the more commonly evaluated material properties.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This guide covers the testing of molded automotive/
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
industrial composite materials. It is intended to increase the
users awareness of the special considerations necessary for the
2. Referenced Documents
testing of these materials. In addition, the user is provided with
2.1 ASTM Standards:
a comparison of some of the more commonly used ASTM
C 581 Practice for Determining Chemical Resistance of
International standard test methods that are applicable for
Thermosetting Resins Used in Glass-Fiber-Reinforced
evaluating automotive/industrial composites.
Structures Intended for Liquid Service
1.2 Areas in which current ASTM International standard
D 256 Test Methods for Determining Izod Pendulum Im-
test methods do not meet the needs for testing of automotive/
pact Resistance of Plastics
industrial composites are indicated. This provides direction for
D 543 Practices for Evaluating the Resistance of Plastics to
future standardization work.
Chemical Reagents
1.3 It is not the intent of this guide to cover all test methods
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
which could possibly be used for automotive/industrial com-
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
posites. Only the most commonly used and most applicable
D 648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics
standards are included.
Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D 671 Test Method for Flexural Fatigue of Plastics by
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Constant-Amplitude-of-Force
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on Composite
Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.03 on Constituent/
Precursor Properties. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.04.
Current edition approved Jan. 29, 1988. Published June 1988. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4762 – 88 (2001)
D 695 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid 4. Significance and Use
Plastics
4.1 This guide is intended to serve as a reference for the
D 696 Test Method for Coefficient of Linear Thermal Ex-
testing of automotive/industrial composite materials.
pansion of Plastics Between − 30°C and 30°C
4.2 The use of this guide assures that proper consideration is
D 756 Practice for Determination of Weight and Shape
given to the unique characteristics of these materials in testing.
Changes of Plastics Under Accelerated Service Condi-
In addition, this guide also assists the user in selecting the best
tions
currently available ASTM International test method for mea-
D 790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced
surement of commonly evaluated material properties.
and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-
als
5. Summary of Guide
D 792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
5.1 Special testing considerations unique to automotive/
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
industrial composites are identified and discussed. Recommen-
D 1822 Test Method for Tensile-Impact Energy to Break
dations for handling these considerations are provided. Special
Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
considerations covered are included in Section 7 on Material
D 2289 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics at
Definition, Section 8 on Sampling Techniques, Section 9 on
High Speeds
Test Specimen Preparation, Section 10 on Test Specimen
D 2344 Test Method Short-Beam Strength of Polymer Ma-
Conditioning, and Section 11 on Reporting of Results.
trix Composite Materials and Their Laminates
5.2 Current ASTM International standard test methods ap-
D 2584 Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced
plicable to automotive/industrial composites are compared for
Resins
commonly evaluated material properties. Areas where revised
D 2734 Test Method for Void Content of Reinforced Plas-
or new standards are needed are identified. Test methods for
tics
commonly evaluated properties in the following test method
D 2990 Test Methods for Tensile, Compressive, and Flex-
groups are compared:
ural Creep and Creep Rupture of Plastics
Test Methods Sections
D 3039 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer
Matrix Composite Materials
Mechanical Properties 12.4
Fatigue Properties 12.5
D 3410 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Com-
Environmental Resistance 12.6
posite Materials with Unsupported Gage Section by Shear
Creep Properties 12.7
Loading Thermal Properties 12.8
Physical Properties 12.9
D 3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures of Poly-
Impact Properties 12.10
mers by Thermal Analysis
D 3479 Test Methods for Tension-Tension Fatigue of Poly-
6. Procedure for Use
mer Matrix Composite Materials
6.1 Review Sections 7-11 to become familiar with the
D 3846 Test Method for In-Plane Shear Strength of Rein-
special testing considerations for automotive/industrial com-
forced Plastics
posites.
D 4065 Practice for Plastics: Mechanical Properties: Deter-
6.2 Locate the table for the property that you would like to
mination and Report of Procedures
determine in Section 12. Use the table to help in selecting the
D 4255 Guide for Testing In-Plane Shear Properties of
best ASTM International standard test method for determining
Composites Laminates
that property.
E 228 Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid
6.3 Follow the selected ASTM International standard, but
Materials With a Vitreous Silica Dilatometer
refer back to the guide for recommendations on material
definition, sampling procedures, test specimen preparation, test
3. Terminology
specimen conditioning, and reporting of results.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 automotive/industrial composite—any filled or un-
7. Material Definition
filled polymer reinforced with chopped or continuous high
7.1 Constituent Definition—Variations in the type and con-
modulus, or both, (greater than 20.7-GPa (3 3 10 psi)) fibers
tent of fiber, filler, and resin can have a significant influence on
whose properties are dependent on the process parameters used
material property test results. Each constituent material should
in mass production manufacturing.
be carefully defined and documented before testing to avoid
3.1.2 Plaque—a flate plate of molded material for evalua-
misinterpretation of test results.
tion of material properties.
7.1.1 Fiber, filler, and resin content should be measured and
3.1.3 Part—a component of a manufactured assembly.
recorded at least one location in each part or plaque from which
3.2 Abbreviations:Abbreviations:
test specimens are machined. In 12.9, techniques for measuring
3.2.1 A/I Composite, automotive/industrial composite.
these values are covered.
7.1.2 The following items should be documented each time
a material is tested: fiber type, dimensions, and surface
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.03.
treatment; filler type, dimensions, and surface treatment; and
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. resin type and component breakdown.
D 4762 – 88 (2001)
7.2 Process Definition—Processing techniques can affect 8.2.1 A minimum of three parts should be used for sampling
fiber orientation, void content, and state of polymerization. for each material property evaluated. An equal number of test
These factors can in turn influence material property test results
specimens should be taken from each part.
significantly. Each of these items should be defined and
8.2.2 Each test specimen should be labeled so that the part
documented before testing to avoid misinterpretation of test
from which it was cut can be identified.
results.
8.3 Test Specimen Orientation—Overall and local fiber
7.2.1 Fiber orientation should be quantitatively measured
orientation effects can have a significant influence on material
and documented for each part or plaque from which test
property test results.
specimens are machined. Both overall and local variations in
8.3.1 Test specimen orientation should be mixed to deter-
fiber orientation should be documented. Unfortunately, a prac-
mine average properties of a nominally planar isotropic mate-
tical test method for measuring and quantifying local fiber
rial. A minimum of two perpendicular directions should be
orientation has not yet been developed and standardized.
selected for test specimens within each part (or plaque). These
7.2.2 Void content should be measured for each material
orientations should be selected to produce the maximum and
tested in at least three different parts or plaques from which test
minimum material property test results if possible.
specimens are taken. Methods for measuring void content are
8.3.2 Maximum and minimum properties should be mea-
reviewed in 12.9.
sured independently for materials with oriented fiber reinforce-
7.2.3 State of polymerization should be measured quantita-
ment. Test results for minimum and maximum properties
tively and documented for at least three different parts or
should not be averaged.
plaques from which test specimens are machined. Although a
specific test is not standardized for measuring state of poly- 8.3.3 Each test specimen should be marked so that its
merization, other auxilliary tests are often used. One such
orientation within the original part can be identified.
measurement is determination of glass transition temperature
8.4 Test Specimen Location—The location of test specimens
by Test Method D 3418.
within a part (or plaque) can influence material property test
7.2.4 As a minimum, the following process conditions
results.
should be documented for each material tested: compound
8.4.1 Areas near the edges of parts should be avoided for
preparation, charge preparation, molding technique, molding
test specimen location unless the properties in these areas are
temperature, molding pressure, molding time, and part or
specifically desired.
plaque dimensions.
8.4.2 Areas near or over local geometric conditions such as
7.3 History Definition—Load and environmental history
ribs, bosses, molded holes, corners, and flanges should be
after molding and before testing can have a significant influ-
avoided for routine material property testing. Test specimens
ence on A/I composite materials property test results. These
may be taken from these areas when properties are needed for
history factors should be fully defined before testing to avoid
the analysis of these specific geometric conditions.
misinterpretation of test results.
8.4.3 Test specimen location within each part should be
7.3.1 Load history, if any, should be documented for each
documented with a drawing or photograph. Each test specimen
test specimen. Information on the loading mode, magnitude,
should be identified so that its location within the original part
rate, and number of times that the load was applied should be
can be traced. Special identification should be used for test
included.
specimens taken from part edges or from an area near or over
7.3.2 Environmental history should be documented for each
any local geometric variation.
test specimen. Time, temperature, and humidity conditions
8.5 Number of Test Specimens—The more test specimens
from molding to testing should be fully documented.
that are used to determine each material property, the less local
and part to part variations in properties will affect average test
8. Sampling Techniques
results.
8.1 Test Plaques and Parts—Either parts or test plaques
8.5.1 A minimum of six test specimens for each material
may be used as a source of test specimens. Flat plaques tend to
property to be measured is suggested for a nominally planar
produce optimum and more uniform material property results
isotropic material. These six should be from three separate
than complex parts if the plaques are molded under carefully
parts with two from each part. Each two should be perpendicu-
controlled conditions. If complex parts are used, the effects of
larly oriented so that fiber orientation effects are averaged in
local flow and molding conditions are much more likely to
each part. More test specimens may be required depending on
affect test results. The objectives of the testing to be done
dictate the choice of parts or flat plaques for sampling. the variability of test data and the desired
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