Design and Testing
Testing Tech: Shear testing of sandwich panel core materials
In my previous column (HPC November 2006, p. 10), I noted that the shear strength and shear stiffness of the core material in a sandwich panel can be determined in situ while performing flexural tests to evaluate other sandwich panel properties. However, as was stated then, it is more accurate to measure these
Read More
Sandwich panel flexure testing
Dr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures (Salt Lake City, Utah) comments on the composite materials testing community's move toward the use of the terms "long beam flexure" and "short beam flexure" when addressing sandwich panel testing.
Read More
Sandwich panel test methods
This column will introduce sandwich panel test methods in general. Detailed discussions of the individual test methods will be presented in future columns. Sandwich panels will be defined here as those consisting of relatively thin facesheets that are strong and stiff in tension and compression compared to the low
Read More
Back-out factors
Dr. Adam's follows up a previous column, in which he discussed the advantages of testing a cross-ply laminate and then "backing out" the unidirectional composite strength, with an expanded examination of back-out factors that can be applied to other types of laminates.
Read More
Testing cross-ply vs. unidirectional composites
Dr. Don Adams follows up his previous column on tensile testing with a discussion of such testing when confronted by two difficult-to-test laminate configurations.
Read More
Unidirectional composite axial tensile specimens
Dr. Don Adams explains why the design of tensile test coupons is more art than science, and explains the implications of that art for testing accuracy.
Read More
Flexure test methods
The three fundamental mechanical property characterization tests of materials are tension, compression and shear. Note that flexure is not included. This article addresses some of the reasons why. When a beam resting on supports near its ends is loaded, the supported side is in tension and the opposite side is in
Read More
Current compression test methods
Dr. Don Adams discusses the test methods and fixtures currently available to test the compressive strength of composites.
Read More
Open-hole compression testing
By the early 1980s, the emphasis was shifting from development of composite materials to development of tough, durable composite materials. The common catch phrase that emerged was "effects of defects." This new emphasis on toughness dictated the development of test methods that could measure this material
Read More
