ASTM D5528-13

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 weaknesses of 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, independent of specimen geometry or method of load introduction, is useful for establishing design allowables used in damage tolerance analyses of composite structures made from these materials.  
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 G Ic 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.  
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 continuous fiber-reinforced composite materials 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 laminates with brittle and 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 6.5).  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2013
• ICS: 83.120 - Reinforced plastics
• Technical Committee: D30 - Composite Materials
• Drafting Committee: D30.06 - Interlaminar Properties

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: D5528 − 13
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; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D3878Terminology for Composite Materials
D5229/D5229MTestMethodforMoistureAbsorptionProp-
1.1 This test method describes the determination of the
erties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix
opening Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, G , of con-
Ic
Composite Materials
tinuous fiber-reinforced composite materials using the double
E4Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
cantilever beam (DCB) specimen (Fig. 1).
E6Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
1.2 This test method is limited to use with composites
E122PracticeforCalculatingSampleSizetoEstimate,With
consisting of unidirectional carbon fiber and glass fiber tape
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
laminates with brittle and tough single-phase polymer matri-
Lot or Process
ces. This limited scope reflects the experience gained in
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
round-robin testing. This test method may prove useful for
ASTM Test Methods
other types and classes of composite materials; however,
E456Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
certain interferences have been noted (see 6.5).
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced
Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases
only.
E1434Guide for Recording Mechanical Test Data of Fiber-
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
Reinforced Composite Materials in Databases
operations, and equipment.
E1471Guide for Identification of Fibers, Fillers, and Core
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Materials in Computerized Material Property Databases
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1 Terminology D3878 defines terms relating to high-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
modulus fibers and their composites. Terminology D883 de-
fines terms relating to plastics. Terminology E6 defines terms
2. Referenced Documents
relating to mechanical testing. Terminology E456 and Practice
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E177 define terms relating to statistics. In the event of conflict
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
between terms, Terminology D3878 shall have precedence
D2651GuideforPreparationofMetalSurfacesforAdhesive
over the other terminology standards.
Bonding
NOTE 1—If the term represents a physical quantity, its analytical
D2734TestMethodsforVoidContentofReinforcedPlastics
dimensionsarestatedimmediatelyfollowingtheterm(orlettersymbol)in
D3171Test Methods for Constituent Content of Composite
fundamental dimension form, using the following ASTM standard sym-
Materials
bology for fundamental dimensions, shown within square brackets: [M]
for mass, [L] for length, [T] for time, [u] for thermodynamic temperature,
and[nd]fornon-dimensionalquantities.Useofthesesymbolsisrestricted
to analytical dimensions when used with square brackets, as the symbols
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
may have other definitions when used without the brackets.
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.06 on
Interlaminar Properties.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013. Published November 2013. Originally
3.2.1 crack opening mode (Mode I)—fracture mode in
ε3
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D5528–01(2007) .
which the delamination faces open away from each other.
DOI: 10.1520/D5528-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 2
3.2.2 Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, G [M/T ]—
Ic
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
thecriticalvalueof Gfordelaminationgrowthasaresultofan
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. opening load or displacement.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
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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.
´3
Designation: D5528 − 01 (Reapproved 2007) D5528 − 13
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; 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
ε NOTE—Added research report reference to Section 14 editorially in March 2008.
2
ε NOTE—Corrected Eq. 3 in July 2008.
3
ε NOTE—Eq. 3 was rewritten for clarification in August 2009.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes the determination of the opening Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, G , of continuous
Ic
fiber-reinforced composite materials 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 laminates
with brittle and 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 6.5).
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
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
E4 Practices for Force 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 of a Test Method
E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases
E1434 Guide for Recording Mechanical Test Data of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials in Databases
E1471 Guide for Identification of Fibers, Fillers, and Core Materials in Computerized Material Property Databases
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 May 1, 2007Oct. 1, 2013. Published June 2007 November 2013. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20012009 as
ε3
D5528 – 01.D5528 – 01(2007) . DOI: 10.1520/D5528-01R07E03.10.1520/D5528-13.
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

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D5528 − 13
(a) with piano hinges (b) with loading blocks
FIG. 1 Double Cantilever Beam Specimen
3. Terminology
3.1 Terminology D3878 defines terms relating to high-modulus fibers and their composites. Terminology D883 defines terms
relating to plastics. Terminology E6 defines terms relating to mechanical testing. Terminology E456 and Practice E177 define terms
relating to statistics. In the event of conflict between terms, Terminology D3878 shall have precedence over the other terminology
standards.
NOTE 1—If the term represents a physical quantity, its analytical dimensions are stated immediately following the term (or letter symbol) in
fundamental d
...