EN 2746:1998

Aerospace series - Glass fibre reinforced plastics - Flexural test - Three point bend method

This standard specifies the three point bend method for the determination of the flexural properties of glass fibre reinforced plastics for aerospace applications.

Luft- und Raumfahrt - Glasfaserverstärkte Kunststoffe - Biegeversuch - Dreipunktverfahren

Diese Norm legt ein Verfahren (Dreipunktverfahren) zur Bestimmung der Biegeeigenschaften von glasfaserverstärkten Kunststoffen für die Luft- und Raumfahrt fest.

Série aérospatiale - Plastiques renforcés au verre textile - Essai de flexion - Méthode des trois pannes

La présente norme décrit la méthode des trois pannes pour la détermination des caractéristiques de flexion des plastiques renforcés au verre textile pour applications aérospatiales.

Aerospace series - Glass fibre reinforced plastics - Flexural test - Three point bend method

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Aug-1998
• Withdrawal Date: 27-Feb-1999
• ICS: 49.025.40 - Rubber and plastics
• Technical Committee: ASD-STAN - Aerospace
• Drafting Committee: ASD-STAN/D 4 - Metallic
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 21-Jan-2024
• Completion Date: 11-Feb-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 2746:2001 - Aerospace series - Glass fibre reinforced plastics - Flexural test - Three point bend method

Relations

• Refers: EN 2374:1991 - Aerospace series - Glass fibre reinforced mouldings and sandwich composites - Production of test panels
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 2489:1995 - Aerospace series - Fibre reinforced plastics - Determination of the action of test fluids
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 2743:2001 - Aerospace series - Fibre reinforced plastics - Standard procedures for conditioning prior to testing unaged materials
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 2746:1998 is a key European standard published by CEN for the aerospace sector, titled “Aerospace series - Glass fibre reinforced plastics - Flexural test - Three point bend method.” This standard prescribes the three point bend test for determining the flexural properties of glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) used in aerospace applications. By providing a consistent methodology, EN 2746 helps ensure reliability, safety, and performance of plastic composites under flexural loading-a critical requirement in aerospace engineering.

Key Topics

• Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (GFRP): The standard focuses specifically on materials reinforced with glass fibres, widely used for high strength-to-weight ratios in aerospace structures.
• Three Point Bend Method: It details the use of a three point bend configuration to assess flexural strength and modulus. This procedure measures the ability of composite specimens to resist deformation under load.
• Flexural Properties: EN 2746 specifies how to determine flexural strength, flexural modulus, and strain-to-failure, which are vital indicators of material behavior under bending stresses.
• Standardized Testing Conditions: Consistent sample preparation, loading rates, and test environments are established to ensure reproducibility and comparability of results.
• Aerospace Applications: The rigorous requirements reflect the demanding conditions GFRP materials are subjected to in aircraft, spacecraft, and related aerospace components.

Applications

EN 2746:1998 is widely used by:

• Aerospace Manufacturers: To qualify and certify glass fibre reinforced plastic materials for new designs, ensuring compliance with regulatory and performance standards.
• Component and Parts Suppliers: For developing and validating GFRP components used in airframes, interiors, and structural elements where flexural performance is critical.
• Quality Assurance Laboratories: As a reference method for routine testing and quality control of incoming or in-service GFRP materials.
• R&D and Engineering Teams: To benchmark and develop advanced composite materials, ensuring new formulations meet the necessary flexural properties.
• Regulatory and Certification Bodies: When assessing the airworthiness and suitability of composite materials for aerospace use.

By adhering to EN 2746, organizations can demonstrate material reliability, meet international aerospace quality requirements, and reduce the risk of material failure.

Related Standards

• EN ISO 14125: Reinforced plastics - Determination of flexural properties, offering alternative or complementary methods for flexural testing.
• EN 2562: Aerospace series - Carbon fibre reinforced plastics - Unidirectional laminates - Tensile test.
• ISO 527: Plastics - Determination of tensile properties, often used in conjunction with flexural property standards.
• EN 2823: Aerospace series - Fibre reinforced plastics - Determination of apparent interlaminar shear strength.

These related standards support a comprehensive approach to mechanical testing and material verification in the aerospace sector.

Keywords: EN 2746:1998, glass fibre reinforced plastics, aerospace standards, three point bend test, flexural properties, composite material testing, GFRP, CEN, material qualification, aerospace composites.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Aerospace series - Glass fibre reinforced plastics - Flexural test - Three point bend methodLuft- und Raumfahrt - Glasfaserverstärkte Kunststoffe - Biegeversuch - DreipunktverfahrenSérie aérospatiale - Plastiques renforcés au verre textile - Essai de flexion - Méthode des trois pannesAerospace series - Glass fibre
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