Design and Testing

Materials Testing 1 Sep 2018

Overcoming barriers to adoption of structural autocomposites

Although much attention has been focused on material costs and development of high-rate, automated manufacturing processes for structural autocomposites, production of viable products depends on the ability to design and simulate the structures for these exciting new FRP applications.

Design and Testing 1 Jul 2018

Shear testing of high-shear strength composite laminates

CW columnist Dan Adams compares three V-notched shear test configurations used to measure the shear stiffness and shear strength of composite materials.

Adhesives 1 Jun 2018

Fiber-optic sensors shed light on the toughest composite design challenges

Designers of composites are learning that if they are to be able to guarantee component and system performance, repeatability and reliability, it is critical that they have access to more sensor and test data.

Materials Testing 29 Mar 2018

Gripping composite test specimens: Options and guidance

Orthotropic behavior of composites test specimens makes load introduction uniquely challenging.

Infrastructure 27 Feb 2018

Application of video extensometry to ASTM D 5656

Reliable, reproducible data is central to the design and delivery of cost-effective bonded assemblies.

Materials Testing 27 Dec 2017

What’s the most important type of mechanical test for composites?

When the opportunity arises, I like to ask those familiar with composites testing this question: What type of mechanical test do they consider to be the most important for composite materials?

Design and Testing 25 Oct 2017

Tackling the traceability of composite materials

Have you ever looked outside an airplane window during in-flight turbulence and wondered how strong the wings really are and how much load they can take?

Design and Testing 28 Sep 2017

Can flexure testing provide estimates of composite strength properties?

Flexure tests are simple to perform, yet the state of stress and failure modes are among the most complex.

Composites 4.0 30 Aug 2017

Software has a critical role in certification of composite designs for aerospace

Despite the many advantages that come with using composites materials in aerospace applications, designing weight-bearing structures from these materials remains a significant challenge.

Design and Testing 28 Jul 2017

Choosing composite material testing methods

An initial step in selecting suitable test methods involves consulting the available test literature.