ASTM D3171-15

Standard Test Methods for Constituent Content of Composite Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 A constituent content of a composite material must be known in order to analytically model the material properties (mechanical, physical, thermal, or electrical) of the composite which are affected by the reinforcement or matrix. Also, knowledge of the constituent content is required for evaluation of the quality of a fabricated material and the processes used during fabrication.  
5.2 The void volume of a composite material may significantly affect some of its mechanical properties. Higher void volumes usually mean lower fatigue resistance, greater susceptibility to moisture penetration and weathering, and increased variation or scatter in strength properties. Knowledge of the void volume of a composite material is desirable as an indication of the quality of a composite.  
5.3 Reinforcement content may be used to normalize mechanical properties affected by amount of reinforcement in the coupon.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods determine the constituent content of composite materials by one of two approaches. Test Method I physically removes the matrix by digestion or ignition or carbonization by one of eight procedures, leaving the reinforcement essentially unaffected and thus allowing calculation of reinforcement or matrix content (by weight or volume) as well as percent void volume. Test Method II, applicable only to laminate materials of known fiber areal weight, calculates reinforcement or matrix content (by weight or volume), and the cured ply thickness, based on the measured thickness of the laminate. Test Method II is not applicable to the measurement of void volume.  
1.1.1 These test methods are primarily intended for two-part composite material systems. However, special provisions can be made to extend these test methods to filled material systems with more than two constituents, though not all test results can be determined in every case.  
1.1.2 The procedures contained within have been designed to be particularly effective for certain classes of polymer or metal matrices. The suggested applications are discussed in Section 4, as well as at the start of each procedure.  
1.1.3 Test Method I assumes that the reinforcement is essentially unaffected by the digestion or ignition medium or carbonization. A procedure for correction of the results for minor changes in the reinforcement is included. Procedures A through F are based on chemical removal of the matrix while Procedure G removes the matrix by igniting the matrix in a furnace. Procedure H carbonizes the matrix in a furnace.  
1.1.4 Test Method II assumes that the fiber areal weight of the reinforcement material form is known or controlled to an acceptable tolerance. The presence of voids is not measured. Eq 15 and 16 assume zero void content to perform the calculation.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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.  See Section 9 for additional information.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2015
• ICS: 83.140.20 - Laminated sheets
• Technical Committee: D30 - Composite Materials
• Drafting Committee: D30.04 - Lamina and Laminate Test Methods

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: D3171 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
1
Constituent Content of Composite Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3171; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
1.1 These test methods determine the constituent content of
standard.
composite materials by one of two approaches. Test Method I
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
physically removes the matrix by digestion or ignition or
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
carbonization by one of eight procedures, leaving the rein-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
forcement essentially unaffected and thus allowing calculation
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
of reinforcement or matrix content (by weight or volume) as
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 9 for
wellaspercentvoidvolume.TestMethodII,applicableonlyto
additional information.
laminate materials of known fiber areal weight, calculates
reinforcementormatrixcontent(byweightorvolume),andthe
2. Referenced Documents
cured ply thickness, based on the measured thickness of the
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
laminate. Test Method II is not applicable to the measurement
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
of void volume.
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
1.1.1 Thesetestmethodsareprimarilyintendedfortwo-part
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
composite material systems. However, special provisions can
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
be made to extend these test methods to filled material systems
Gradient Technique
with more than two constituents, though not all test results can
D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials
be determined in every case.
D5229/D5229M TestMethodforMoistureAbsorptionProp-
1.1.2 The procedures contained within have been designed
erties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix
to be particularly effective for certain classes of polymer or
Composite Materials
metal matrices. The suggested applications are discussed in
E12 Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravity
Section 4, as well as at the start of each procedure. 3
of Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Withdrawn 1996)
1.1.3 Test Method I assumes that the reinforcement is
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
essentially unaffected by the digestion or ignition medium or
ASTM Test Methods
carbonization. A procedure for correction of the results for
E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced
minor changes in the reinforcement is included. Procedures A
Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases
through F are based on chemical removal of the matrix while
Procedure G removes the matrix by igniting the matrix in a
3. Terminology
furnace. Procedure H carbonizes the matrix in a furnace.
3.1 Definitions—Terminology D3878 defines terms relating
1.1.4 Test Method II assumes that the fiber areal weight of
to composite materials. Terminology D883 defines terms
the reinforcement material form is known or controlled to an
relating to plastics. Terminology E12 defines terms relating to
acceptable tolerance. The presence of voids is not measured.
specific gravity. Practice E177 defines terms relating to statis-
Eq 15 and 16 assume zero void content to perform the
tics. In the event of a conflict between terms, Terminology
calculation.
D3878 shall have precedence over other documents.
1 2
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Composite Materials and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.04 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Lamina and Laminate Test Methods. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2015. Published May 2015. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D3171 – 11. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D3171-15. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D3171 − 15
3.1.1 fiber content, n—the amount of fiber present in a 4. S
...

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: D3171 − 11 D3171 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
1
Constituent Content of Composite Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3171; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods determine the constituent content of composite materials by one of two approaches. Test Method I
physically removes the matrix by digestion or ignition or carbonization by one of seveneight procedures, leaving the reinforcement
essentially unaffected and thus allowing calculation of reinforcement or matrix content (by weight or volume) as well as percent
void volume. Test Method II, applicable only to laminate materials of known fiber areal weight, calculates reinforcement or matrix
content (by weight or volume), and the cured ply thickness, based on the measured thickness of the laminate. Test Method II is
not applicable to the measurement of void volume.
1.1.1 These test methods are primarily intended for two-part composite material systems. However, special provisions can be
made to extend these test methods to filled material systems with more than two constituents, though not all test results can be
determined in every case.
1.1.2 The procedures contained within have been designed to be particularly effective for certain classes of polymer or metal
matrices. The suggested applications are discussed in Section 4, as well as at the start of each procedure.
1.1.3 Test Method I assumes that the reinforcement is essentially unaffected by the digestion or ignition medium. medium or
carbonization. A procedure for correction of the results for minor changes in the reinforcement is included. Procedures A through
F are based on chemical removal of the matrix while Procedure G removes the matrix by igniting the matrix in a furnace. Procedure
H carbonizes the matrix in a furnace.
1.1.4 Test Method II assumes that the fiber areal weight of the reinforcement material form is known or controlled to an
acceptable tolerance. The presence of voids is not measured. Eq 915 and 1016 assume zero void content to perform the calculation.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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. See Section 9 for additional information.
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
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials
D5229/D5229M Test Method for Moisture Absorption Properties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix Composite
Materials
3
E12 Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravity of Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Withdrawn 1996)
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on Composite Materials and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.04 on Lamina
and Laminate Test Methods.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2011April 1, 2015. Published November 2011May 2015. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 20092011 as
D3171 – 09.D3171 – 11. DOI: 10.1520/D3171-11.10.1520/D3171-15.
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.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3171 − 15
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Termi
...