Design and Testing

Weaving 31 Jan 2017

X-rays for NDT of composites

Nondestructive test (NDT) methods can be employed during the design, manufacture and in-field maintenance of composite components.

Materials Testing 30 Dec 2016

Damage tolerance testing of composites

Not standardized until 2005, ASTM D 7137 is still commonly referred to as the Boeing CAI test.

Fabrics/Preforms 28 Jan 2016

CompoSIDE and Trace: Game-changer for development of composite parts

Structural design challenges (delamination, coupling and shape distortions, resin-driven failures, local stress concentration and the like) are inherent in laminate architecture. The author's contention is that a solution can be found in design simplification afforded by the work of Dr. Stephen Tsai in Trace-based analysis.

Materials Testing 1 Jan 2016

Fracture mechanics testing of composites

Dr. Daniel O. Adams, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Composite Mechanics Laboratory at the University of Utah, and vice president of Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT, US), addresses ways to acquire mechanical test data and then calculate the values for the composite material property of fracture toughness.

Materials Testing 31 Oct 2014

The Picture Frame Shear Test method

Dr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures, Salt Lake City, Utah) reviews the history of the Picture Frame Shear Test method.

Materials Testing 1 Sep 2014

The evolution of the modified D 695 compression test method

HPC's Testing Tech columnist Dr. Donald F. Adams,the president of Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc. (Salt Lake City, Utah), looks at the long metals-to-plastics-to-composites history of this well-used and much modified compression test method.

Materials Testing 1 Jul 2014

Compact tension fracture toughness testing

Dr. Donald A. Adams, president of Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc. (Salt Lake City, Utah) discusses compact tension fracture toughness testing.

Materials Testing 30 Apr 2014

Reversed loading flexural fatigue

Dr. Donald F. Adams, owner and president of Wyoming Test Fixtures (Salt Lake City, Utah) discusses reverse loading flexural fatigue testing and fixture design.

Materials Testing 1 Jan 2014

Buckling of composite material compression specimens

Dr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures, Salt Lake City, Utah) rehearses the causes of, and solutions for, problems with buckling in composite compression specimens.