ASTM D3878-03a
(Terminology)Standard Terminology for Composite Materials
Standard Terminology for Composite Materials
SCOPE
1.1 These definitions cover generic terms, including terms of commercial importance, that appear in one or more standards on composites containing high-modulus (greater than 20-GPa (3 X 106 psi)) fibers.
1.2 The definitions cover, in most cases, special meanings used in the composites industry. No attempt has been made to include common meanings of the same terms as used outside the composites industry.
1.3 Definitions included have, in general, been approved as standard.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D 3878 – 03a
Standard Terminology for
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Composite Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3878; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope carbon fiber precursor—a material from which carbon fiber
is made by pyrolysis. Polyacrylonitrile, rayon, or pitch fibers
1.1 These definitions cover generic terms, including terms
are commonly used precursors.
of commercial importance, that appear in one or more stan-
catenary:
dards on composites containing high-modulus (greater than
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filament catenary—the difference in length of the filaments
20-GPa (3 3 10 psi)) fibers.
in a specified length of tow, end, or strand as a result of
1.2 The definitions cover, in most cases, special meanings
unequal tension; the tendency of some filaments in a taut
used in the composites industry. No attempt has been made to
horizontal tow, end, or strand to sag lower than others.
include common meanings of the same terms as used outside
roving catenary—the difference in length of the ends, tows,
the composites industry.
or strands in a specified length of roving as a result of
1.3 Definitions included have, in general, been approved as
unequal tension; the tendency of some ends, tows, or strands
standard.
in a taut horizontal roving to sag lower than others.
2. Referenced Documents
caul plate, n—a flat plate used to provide a flat surface to the
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top of the laminate during laminate consolidation or cure.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
composite:
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
composite material—a substance consisting of two or more
2.2 Military Standard:
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materials, insoluble in one another, which are combined to
MIL-HDBK-17
form a useful engineering material possessing certain prop-
3. Terminology
erties not possessed by the constituents.
3.1 Definitions:
DISCUSSION—a composite material is inherently inhomogeneous on a
microscopic scale but can often be assumed to be homogeneous on a
645° laminate—a balanced symmetric laminate composed of
macroscopic scale for certain engineering applications. The constitu-
only +45° plies and −45° plies.
ents of a composite retain their identities: they do not dissolve or
angleply laminate—any balanced laminate consisting of plus
otherwise merge completely into each other, although they act in
and minus theta plies where theta is an acute angle with
concert.
respect to a reference direction.
discontinuous fiber-reinforced composite—any composite
balanced laminate—any laminate that contains one ply of
material consisting of a matrix reinforced by discontinuous
minus theta orientation with respect to the laminate principal
fibers. The fibers may be whiskers or chopped fibers.
axis for every identical ply with a plus theta orientation.
fabric-reinforced composite—any composite material con-
braided fabric—see braided fabric under fabric.
sisting of a matrix reinforced by fabric (woven, knitted, or
bundle—a general term for a collection of essentially parallel
braided assemblages of fibers).
filaments.
fiber-reinforced composite—any composite material consist-
ing of a matrix reinforced by continuous or discontinuous
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These definitions are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
fibers.
Composite Materials and are the direct responsibilities of Subcommittee D30.01 on
filamentary composite—a composite material reinforced
Editorial and Resource Standards.
with continuous fibers.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2003. Published November 2003. Originally
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D 3878 – 03.
unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite—any fiber-
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
reinforced composite with all fibers aligned in a single
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
direction.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. continuous filament yarn, n—two or more continuous fila-
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Available from ASTM International as The Composite Materials Handbook—
ments twisted into a single fiber bundle.
MIL 17. Also available as MIL-HDBK-17 from Standardization Documents Order
crossply laminate—a laminate composed of only 0 and 90°
Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-
plies. This is not necessarily symmetric.
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D 3878 – 03a
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