ASTM D3878-04
(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)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D 3878 – 04
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 breather string, n—a string, composed of a material such as
glass, that provides a vacuum path from the laminate to a
1.1 These definitions cover generic terms, including terms
breather.
of commercial importance, that appear in one or more stan-
bundle—a general term for a collection of essentially parallel
dards on composites containing high-modulus (greater than
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filaments.
20-GPa (3 3 10 psi)) fibers.
carbon fiber precursor—a material from which carbon fiber
1.2 The definitions cover, in most cases, special meanings
is made by pyrolysis. Polyacrylonitrile, rayon, or pitch fibers
used in the composites industry. No attempt has been made to
are commonly used precursors.
include common meanings of the same terms as used outside
catenary:
the composites industry.
filament catenary—the difference in length of the filaments
1.3 Definitions included have, in general, been approved as
in a specified length of tow, end, or strand as a result of
standard.
unequal tension; the tendency of some filaments in a taut
2. Referenced Documents
horizontal tow, end, or strand to sag lower than others.
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roving catenary—the difference in length of the ends, tows,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
or strands in a specified length of roving as a result of
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
unequal tension; the tendency of some ends, tows, or strands
2.2 Military Standard:
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in a taut horizontal roving to sag lower than others.
MIL-HDBK-17
caul, n—a flat or contoured tool used to distribute pressure and
3. Terminology
to define a surface for the top of the laminate during laminate
consolidation or cure.
3.1 Definitions:
composite:
645° laminate—a balanced symmetric laminate composed of
composite material—a substance consisting of two or more
only +45° plies and −45° plies.
materials, insoluble in one another, which are combined to
angleply laminate—any balanced laminate consisting of plus
form a useful engineering material possessing certain prop-
and minus theta plies where theta is an acute angle with
erties not possessed by the constituents.
respect to a reference direction.
DISCUSSION—a composite material is inherently inhomogeneous on a
balanced laminate—any laminate that contains one ply of
microscopic scale but can often be assumed to be homogeneous on a
minus theta orientation with respect to the laminate principal
macroscopic scale for certain engineering applications. The constitu-
axis for every identical ply with a plus theta orientation.
ents of a composite retain their identities: they do not dissolve or
braided fabric—see braided fabric under fabric.
otherwise merge completely into each other, although they act in
concert.
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discontinuous fiber-reinforced composite—any composite
These definitions are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
Composite Materials and are the direct responsibilities of Subcommittee D30.01 on
material consisting of a matrix reinforced by discontinuous
Editorial and Resource Standards.
fibers. The fibers may be whiskers or chopped fibers.
Current edition approved Mar. 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally
fabric-reinforced composite—any composite material con-
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D 3878 – 03a.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or sisting of a matrix reinforced by fabric (woven, knitted, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
braided assemblages of fibers).
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
fiber-reinforced composite—any composite material consist-
the ASTM website.
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ing of a matrix reinforced by continuous or discontinuous
Available from ASTM International as The Composite Materials Handbook—
MIL 17. Also available as MIL-HDBK-17 from Standardization Documents Order fibers.
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D 3878 – 04
filamentary composite—a composite material reinforced debond—a deliberate separation of a bonded joint or interface,
with continuous fibers. usually for repair or rework purposes.
unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite—any fiber- debulk, v—
...
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