This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D2344/D2344M − 22

Standard Test Method for

Short-Beam Strength of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
and Their Laminates1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2344/D2344M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method determines the short-beam strength of 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
high-modulus fiber-reinforced composite materials. The speci- D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
men is a short beam machined from a curved or a flat laminate tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
up to 6.00 mm [0.25 in.] thick. The beam is loaded in D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
three-point bending. D2584 Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced
1.2 Application of this test method is limited to continuous- Resins
or discontinuous-fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites, D2734 Test Methods for Void Content of Reinforced Plastics
for which the elastic properties are balanced and symmetric D3171 Test Methods for Constituent Content of Composite
with respect to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Materials
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch- D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The D5229/D5229M Test Method for Moisture Absorption Prop-
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva- erties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix
lents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each Composite Materials
system shall be used independently of the other, and values D5687/D5687M Guide for Preparation of Flat Composite
from the two systems shall not be combined. Panels with Processing Guidelines for Specimen Prepara-
1.3.1 Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in tion
brackets. E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Test-
ing Machines
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
terials
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Lot or Process
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ASTM Test Methods
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.04 on
2
Lamina and Laminate Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 15, 2022. Published August 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D2344/D2344M – 16. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D2344_D2344M-22. the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terminology D3878 defines the terms re-
lating to high-modulus fibers and their composites. Terminol-
ogy D883 defines terms relating to plastics. Terminology E6
defines terms relating to mechanical testing. Terminology E456
and Practice E177 define terms relating to statistics. In the
event of a conflict between definitions, Terminology D3878
shall have precedence over the other documents.
NOTE 1—If the term represents a physical quantity, its analytical
dimensions are stated immediately following the term (or letter symbol) in
fundamental dimension form, using the following ASTM standard sym-
bology for fundamental dimensions, shown within square brackets: [M]
for mass, [L] for length, [T] for time, [Θ] for thermodynamic temperature,
and [ nd] for nondimensional quantities. Use of these symbols is restricted
to analytical dimensions when used with square brackets, as the symbols
may have other definitions when used without the brackets.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 short-beam strength, n—the shear stress as calculated
in Eq 1, developed at the specimen mid-plane at the failure
event specified in 11.6.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Although shear is the dominant applied
loading in this test method, the internal stresses are complex,
and a variety of failure modes can occur. Elasticity solutions by
Berg et al (1) 3, Whitney (2), and Sullivan and Van Oene (3)
have all demonstrated inadequacies in classical beam theory in
defining the stress state in the short-beam configuration. These
solutions show that the parabolic shear-stress distribution as
predicted by Eq 1 only occurs, and then not exactly, on planes NOTE 1—Drawing interpretation per ANSI Y14.5-1982 and ANSI/ASM
midway between the loading nose and support points. Away B46.1-1986.
from these planes, the stress distributions become skewed, with NOTE 2—Ply orientation tolerance 60.5° relative to –B–.
peak stresses occurring near the loading nose and support FIG. 1 Flat Specimen Configuration (SI)
points. Of particular significance is the stress state local to the
loading nose in which the severe shear-stress concentration two supports that allow lateral motion, the load being applied
combined with transverse and in-plane compressive stresses by means of a loading nose directly centered on the midpoint
has been shown to initiate failure. However, for the more of the test specimen.
ductile matrices, plastic yielding may alleviate the situation 5. Significance and Use
under the loading nose (1) and allow other failure modes to
5.1 In most cases, because of the complexity of internal
occur such as bottom surface fiber tension (2). Consequently,
stresses and the variety of failure modes that can occur in this
unless mid-plane interlaminar failure has been clearly
specimen, it is not generally possible to relate the short-beam
observed, the short-beam strength determined from this test
strength to any one material property. However, failures are
method cannot be attributed to a shear property, and the use of
normally dominated by resin and interlaminar properties, and
Eq 1 will not yield an accurate value for shear strength.
the test results have been found to be repeatable for a given
3.3 Symbols: specimen geometry, material system, and stacking sequence
b—specimen width (4).
CV—sample coefficient of variation (in percent)
5.2 Short-beam strength determined by this test method can
Fsbs—short-beam strength
be used for quality control and process specification purposes.
h—specimen thickness
It can also be used for comparative testing of composite
n—number of specimens
materials, provided that failures occur consistently in the same
Pm—maximum load observed during the test
mode (5).
xi—measured or derived property for an individual specimen
from the sample population 5.3 This test method is not limited to specimens within the
x̄—sample mean (average) range specified in Section 8, but is limited to the use of a
loading span length-to-specimen thickness ratio of 4.0 and a
4. Summary of Test Method minimum specimen thickness of 2.0 mm [0.08 in.].
4.1 The short-beam test specimens (Figs. 1-4) are center- 6. Interferences
loaded as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The specimen ends rest on
6.1 Accurate reporting of observed failure modes is essen-
tial for meaningful data interpretation, in particular, the detec-
tion of initial damage modes.

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 D2344/D2344M − 22
for measuring width and length. The use of alternative mea-
surement devices is permitted if specified (or agreed to) by the
test requestor and reported by the testing laboratory. The
accuracy of the instrument(s) shall be suitable for reading
within 1 % of the specimen dimensions. For typical specimen
geometries, an instrument with an accuracy of 60.0025 mm
[60.0001 in.] is adequate for thickness measurements, while
an instrument with an accuracy of 60.025 mm [60.001 in.] is
adequate for measurement of width and length.
7.4 Conditioning Chamber—When conditioning materials
at nonlaboratory environments, a temperature/vapor-level-
controlled environmental conditioning chamber is required that
shall be capable of maintaining the required temperature to
within 63 °C (65 °F) and the required vapor level to within
63 %. Chamber conditions shall be monitored either on an
automated continuous basis or on a manual basis at regular
intervals.
7.5 Environmental Test Chamber—An environmental test
chamber is required for test environments other than ambient
testing laboratory conditions. This chamber shall be capable of
maintaining the test specimen at the required test environment
during the mechanical test method.
8. Sampling and Test Specimens
8.1 Sampling—Test at least five specimens per test condi-
tion unless valid results can be gained through the use of fewer
NOTE 1—Drawing interpretation per ANSI Y14.5-1982 and ANSI/ specimens, as in the case of a designed experiment. For
ASME B46.1-1986.
statistically significant data, consult the procedures outlined in
NOTE 2—Ply orientation tolerance 60.5° relative to –B–.
FIG. 2 Flat Specimen Configuration (Inch Pound)
Practice E122. Report the method of sampling.
8.2 Geometry:
8.2.1 Laminate Configurations—Both multidirectional and
7. Apparatus pure unidirectional laminates can be tested, provided that there
7.1 Testing Machine, properly calibrated, which can be are at least 10 % 0° fibers in the span direction of the beam
operated at a constant rate of crosshead motion, and which the (preferably well distributed through the thickness), and that the
error in the loading system shall not exceed 61 %. The laminates are both balanced and symmetric with respect to the
load-indicating mechanism shall be essentially free of inertia span direction of the beam.
lag at the crosshead rate used. Inertia lag may not exceed 1 % 8.2.2 Specimen Configurations—Typical configurations for
of the measured load. The accuracy of the testing machine shall the flat and curved specimens are shown in Figs. 1-4. For
be verified in accordance with Practices E4. specimen thicknesses other than those shown, the following
geometries are recommended:
7.2 Loading Nose and Supports, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6,
Specimen length = thickness × 6; Specimen width, b =
shall be 6.00 6 0.50 mm [0.250 6 0.020 in.] and 3.00 6 0.40
thickness × 2.0
mm [0.125 6 0.010 in.] diameter cylinders, respectively, with
a hardness of 60 to 62 HRC, as specified in Test Methods E18, NOTE 2—A discussion of width-to-thickness effects is available in
and shall have finely ground surfaces free of indentation and Adams and Lewis (6).
burrs with all sharp edges relieved. The loading configuration 8.2.2.1 For curved beam specimens, it is recommended that
shown in Fig. 5 is recommended for curved specimens with a the arc should not exceed 30°. Also, for these specimens, the
radius r to specimen thickness h ratio of r/h of 5 or less. The specimen length is defined as the minimum chord length.
loading configuration shown in Fig. 6 is recommended for flat 8.3 Specimen Preparation—Guide D5687/D5687M pro-
specimens as well as curved specimens with a r/h ratio of vides recommended specimen preparation practices and should
greater than 5. be followed where practical.
7.3 Micrometers and Calipers—A micrometer with a 4 to 8.3.1 Laminate Fabrication—Laminates may be hand-laid,
8 mm [0.16 to 0.32 in.] nominal diameter ball interface or a flat filament-wound or tow-placed, and molded by any suitable
anvil interface shall be used to measure the specimen thick- laminating means, such as press, bag, autoclave, or resin
ness. A ball interface is recommended for thickness measure- transfer molding.
ments when at least one surface is irregular (for example, a 8.3.2 Machining Methods—Specimen preparation is impor-
coarse peel ply surface which is neither smooth nor flat). A tant for these specimens. Take precautions when cutting
micrometer or caliper with a flat anvil interface shall be used specimens from the rings or plates to avoid notches, undercuts,

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 D2344/D2344M − 22

NOTE 1—Drawing interpretation per ANSI Y14.5-1982 and ANSI/ASM B46.1-1986.

NOTE 2—Ply orientation tolerance 60.5° relative to –A–.
FIG. 3 Curved Specimen Configuration (SI)

rough or uneven surfaces, or delaminations as a result of matrix burn-off technique of Test Method D2584. The void
inappropriate machining methods. Obtain final dimensions by content equations of Test Methods D2734 are applicable to
water-lubricated precision sawing, milling, or grinding. The both Test Method D2584 and the matrix digestion procedures.
use of diamond tooling has been found to be extremely 8.3.4 Labeling—Label the specimens so that they will be
effective for many material systems. Edges should be flat and distinct from each other and traceable back to the raw material,
parallel within the specified tolerances. in a manner that will both be unaffected by the test method and
8.3.3 If specific gravity, density, reinforcement volume, or not influence the test method.
void volume are to be reported, then obtain these samples from
the same panels being tested. Specific gravity and density may 9. Calibration
be evaluated by means of Test Methods D792. Volume percent
of the constituents may be evaluated by one of the matrix 9.1 The accuracy of all measuring equipment shall have
digestion procedures of Test Methods D3171 or, for certain certified calibrations that are current at the time of use of the
reinforcement materials such as glass and ceramics, by the equipment.

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NOTE 1—Drawing interpretation per ANSI Y14.5-1982 and ANSI/ASME B46.1-1986.

NOTE 2—Ply orientation tolerance 60.5° relative to –A–.
FIG. 4 Curved Specimen Configuration (Inch Pound)

10. Conditioning 10.3 If no explicit conditioning process is performed, the

10.1 The recommended pre-test condition is effective mois- specimen conditioning process shall be reported as “uncondi-
ture equilibrium at a specific relative humidity as established tioned” and the moisture content as “unknown.”
by Test Method D5229/D5229M; however, if the test requestor 11. Procedure
does not explicitly specify a pre-test conditioning environment,
11.1 Parameters to Be Specified Before Test:
no conditioning is required, and the test specimens may be
11.1.1 The specimen sampling method and coupon geom-
tested as prepared.
etry.
10.2 The pre-test specimen conditioning process, to include 11.1.2 The material properties and data-reporting format
specified environmental exposure levels and resulting moisture desired.
content, shall be reported with the test data.
NOTE 4—Determine specific material property, accuracy, and data-
NOTE 3—The term moisture, as used in Test Method D5229/D5229M, reporting requirements before test for proper selection of instrumentation
includes not only the vapor of a liquid and its condensate, but the liquid and data-recording equipment. Estimate operating stress levels to aid in
itself in large quantities, as for immersion. calibration of equipment and determination of equipment settings.

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FIG. 5 Curved Laminate Load Diagram

FIG. 6 Flat Laminate Load Diagram

11.1.3 The environmental conditioning test parameters. NOTE 5—The test requester may request that additional measurements
11.1.4 If performed, the sampling test method, coupon be performed after the machined specimens have gone through any
conditioning or environmental exposure.
geometry, and test parameters used to determine density and
reinforcement volume. 11.3 Speed of Testing—Set the speed of testing at a rate of
11.1.5 Optional nominal specimen thickness to be used to crosshead movement of 1.0 mm [0.05 in.]/min.
set the support span dimension. 11.4 Test Environment—If possible, test the specimen under
11.2 General Instructions: the same fluid exposure level as that used for conditioning.
11.2.1 Report any deviations from this test method, whether However, if the test temperature places too severe requirements
intentional or inadvertent. upon the testing machine environmental chamber, test at a
11.2.2 Condition the specimens as required. Store the speci- temperature with no fluid exposure control. In this case, a
mens in the conditioned environment until test time, if the test restriction must be placed upon the time from removal of the
environment is different from the conditioning environment. specimen from the conditioning chamber until test completion
11.2.3 Following final specimen machining but before con- to inhibit nonrepresentative fluid loss from the specimen.
ditioning and testing, measure and record the specimen width Record any modifications to the test environment and specimen
and thickness at the specimen midsection and the specimen weight change after removal from conditioning until test
length to the accuracy specified in 7.3. completion.

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11.4.1 Monitor the test temperature by placing an appropri- 11.8 Failure Mode—Typical failure modes that can be
ate thermocouple at specimen mid-length to be located on the identified visually are shown in Fig. 7. However, these may be
underside of the beam. preceded by less obvious, local damage modes such as transply
11.5 Specimen Insertion—Insert the specimen into the test cracking. Record the mode and location of failure, if possible
fixture, as shown in Fig. 5 or Fig. 6. For testing curved beam identifying one or a combination of the modes shown.
specimens, it is recommended that the specimen be oriented
with the concave side downward, such that the ends of the 12. Calculation
beam specimen are below the center. Align and center the 12.1 Short-Beam Strength—Calculate the short-beam
specimen such that its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the strength using Eq 1 as follows:
loading nose and side supports. Adjust the span such that the
Pm
span-to-measured thickness ratio is 4.0 to an accuracy of F sbs 5 0.75 3 (1)
b 3h
60.3 mm [0.012 in.]. Optionally, it is acceptable to set the
support span for a group of replicate specimens based on the where:
nominal specimen thickness, if provided by the test requestor. F sbs = short-beam strength, MPa [psi];
The loading nose should be located equidistant between the Pm = maximum load observed during the test, N [lbf];
side supports to within 60.3 mm [0.012 in.]. Both the loading b = measured specimen width, mm [in.], and
nose and side supports should overhang the specimen width by h = measured specimen thickness, mm [in.].
at least 2 mm [0.08 in.] at each side. In the case of the flat 12.2 Statistics—For each series of test methods, calculate
laminate test, each specimen end should overhang the side the average value, standard deviation, and coefficient of varia-
support centers by at least the specimen thickness. tion (in percent) for each property determined as follows:
11.6 Loading—Apply load to the specimen at the specified
rate while recording data. Continue loading until either of the
following occurs:
x̄ 5 S( D
n

i21
x i /n (2)

11.6.1 A load drop-off of 30 %,

11.6.2 Two-piece specimen failure, or s n21 5 ŒS ( n

i51
D
x i2 2 n ~ x̄ ! 2 / ~ n 2 1 ! (3)
11.6.3 The head travel exceeds the specimen nominal thick- CV 5 100 3 s n21 /x̄ (4)
ness.
where:
11.7 Data Recording—Record load versus crosshead dis-
placement data throughout the test method. Record the maxi- sn– 1 = sample standard deviation;
mum load, final load, and the load at any obvious discontinui- CV = sample coefficient of variation, %;
n = number of specimens;
ties in the load-displacement data.

FIG. 7 Typical Failure Modes in the Short Beam Test

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xi = measured or derived property; and 13.1.15 Type of test machine, alignment results, and data
x̄ = sample mean (average). acquisition sampling rate and equipment type.
13.1.16 Dimensions of each test specimen.
13. Report 13.1.17 Conditioning parameters and results.
13.1 Report the following information, or references point- 13.1.18 Relative humidity and temperature of the testing
ing to other documentation containing this information, to the laboratory.
maximum extent applicable (reporting of items beyond the 13.1.19 Environment of the test machine environmental
control of a given testing laboratory, such as might occur with chamber (if used) and soak time at environment.
material details or panel fabrication parameters, shall be the 13.1.20 Number of specimens tested.
responsibility of the requester): 13.1.21 Speed of testing.
13.1.1 This test method and revision level or date of issue. 13.1.22 Maximum load observed during the test, for each
13.1.2 Whether the coupon configuration was standard or specimen.
variant. 13.1.23 Individual short-beam strength and average value,
13.1.3 The date and location of the test. standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (in percent) for
13.1.4 The name of the test operator. the population.
13.1.5 Any variations to this test method, anomalies noticed
13.1.24 Load-displacement curves for each specimen.
during testing, or equipment problems occurring during testing.
13.1.25 Failure mode of each specimen, identified if pos-
13.1.6 Identification of the material tested including: mate-
sible from Fig. 7.
rial specification, material type, material designation,
manufacturer, manufacturer’s batch or lot number, source (if
not from manufacturer), date of certification, expiration of 14. Precision and Bias
certification, filament diameter, tow or yarn filament count and 14.1 Round-Robin Result—The precision of this test method
twist, sizing, form or weave, fiber areal weight, matrix type, is based on an interlaboratory study (ILS) of Test Method
prepreg matrix content, and prepreg volatiles content. D2344/D2344M conducted in 2016 - 2018. As shown in Table
13.1.7 Description of the fabrication steps used to prepare 1, testing included seven material/lay-up/environmental com-
the laminate including: fabrication start date, fabrication end binations. Five different materials were tested; one material
date, process specification, cure cycle, consolidation method, was tested using two different lay-ups, while another was
and a description of the equipment used. tested in both room temperature ambient and elevated tempera-
13.1.8 Ply orientation and stacking sequence of the lami- ture wet conditions. Seventeen laboratories participated. All the
nate. specimens of each configuration were fabricated from single
13.1.9 If requested, report density, volume percent large panels, and machined at one location to reduce process-
reinforcement, and void content test methods, specimen sam- ing and machining variability. Each of the 17 laboratories
pling method and geometries, test parameters, and test results. received randomized samples for testing. All room temperature
13.1.10 Average ply thickness of the material. tests were performed at ambient laboratory conditions, while
13.1.11 Results of any nondestructive evaluation tests. the one set of elevated temperature specimens were first dried
13.1.12 Method of preparing the test specimen, including per Test Method D5229/D5229M – 14 Procedure D at 180 °F,
specimen labeling scheme and method, specimen geometry, then conditioned to wet equilibrium per Test Method D5229/
sampling method, and coupon cutting method. D5229M – 14 Procedure BHEE at 160 °F and 85 % relative
13.1.13 Calibration dates and methods for all measurements humidity. The test results shown are based on calculations
and test equipment. using actual (measured) specimen thickness and width. The
13.1.14 Details of loading nose and side supports including average results for each laboratory and each configuration are
diameters and material used. listed in Table 2.

TABLE 1 Round-Robin Test Configurations

MatID Material Lay-Up Test Condition Thickness Spec / Lab Labs / Mat’l
(in.)
A Gr145 IM-Fiber / [0]30 75F/Amb 0.1590 5-6 12
BMI Tape
B Gr203 IM-Fiber / [0]30 75F/Amb 0.2490 6 12
BMI CSW Fabric
A
C Gr145 IM-Fiber / 75F/Amb 0.1696 6 17
BMI Tape
D Gr190 IM-Fiber / [0]34 75F/Amb 0.2482 7 12
Epoxy Tape
E Stye 6781 Glass / [0]20 75F/Amb 0.1960 4-5 10
Epoxy Fabric
F Style 6781 Glass / [0]22 75F/Amb 0.2156 3 10
BMI Fabric
G Gr203 IM-Fiber / [0]30 325F/Wet 0.2490 5-6 8
BMI CSW Fabric
A
Multi-directional 32 ply laminate: [45/90/(-45/02/45/02)2/-45/90]s.

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TABLE 2 Short Beam Strength (ksi) Results Summary
NOTE 1—US Customary units (ksi) shown for mean strengths. To obtain SI units of MPa, multiply by 6.894757.
Material
Lab
A B C D E F G
Mean CV Mean CV Mean CV Mean CV Mean CV Mean CV Mean CV
(ksi) (%) (ksi) (%) (ksi) (%) (ksi) (%) (ksi) (%) (ksi) (%) (ksi) (%)
1 13.8 0.6 9.9 3.4 10.5 6.9 17.3 0.6 9.7 8.0
2 9.9 2.9 12.2 3.1 16.8 0.5 7.8 2.0 4.6 0.8
3 13.4 0.4 9.9 1.2 10.5 5.8 9.6 3.3 5.6 3.7
4 9.7 3.6 10.2 1.5 15.2 1.1 7.9 6.0 5.9 2.9
5 13.5 2.1 9.8 3.4 9.9 3.4 16.9 0.5 10.0 6.6 5.2 2.6
6 13.8 1.0 9.5 4.9 10.5 5.1 10.0 1.0
7 14.5 1.9 9.8 1.9 10.4 1.2 16.2 0.9 9.9 4.4
8 9.8 4.3 10.1 4.3 17.0 0.9 7.7 2.1 4.9 1.1
9 12.8 2.7 9.8 3.0 16.1 1.0 7.9 2.3
10 10.0 4.0 10.2 5.4 18.5 1.4 8.0 1.6 5.2 1.8
11 13.4 0.5 10.0 2.6 9.8 3.1 8.0 3.5
12 13.4 2.9 10.2 2.8 10.8 7.2 10.1 3.3 5.1 3.1
13 13.9 3.0 10.0 3.6 10.4 8.8 10.1 4.7 5.0 0.7
14 14.1 0.7 11.3 9.7 18.0 1.4 9.9 4.0 8.3 3.5
15 13.2 7.6 10.1 6.2 16.4 1.0 9.1 5.7
16 9.6 11.4 17.1 0.6 10.1 1.2 7.9 0.8
17 13.8 0.7 10.7 5.2 16.7 0.6 10.1 2.8 8.2 1.2
Overall
13.6 9.88 10.4 16.8 10.0 8.1 5.2
Avg:
Overall CV (%): 4.0 3.6 8.1 5.0 4.3 5.7 7.6

14.2 Precision—Defined in Practice E177 as the closeness 14.2.1 Repeatability Coeffıcient of Variation (sr / x̄)—
of agreement between independent test results, precision is Defined to be within-lab precision on the same material, test
separated into within-laboratory repeatability and between-lab method, and by the same lab and operator on essentially the
reproducibility. The metric for comparison of both is sample same day. The percentage difference (CV) noted in Table 3 is
standard deviation, in an absolute sense and, given that one standard deviation. An additional, optional metric defined
composite properties vary greatly in magnitude; this is more in Practice E691 is the Repeatability Limit, 2.8 x (sr / x̄). This
usefully expressed relative to mean values as the coefficient of value is the 95 % confidence interval on (sr / x̄) and two
variation (CV). These round-robin statistics are summarized in average values from the same lab/operator/day differing by
Table 3. Practice E691 was followed for the design and more than this amount are essentially certain to be from
analysis of the round-robin test data; and the details are given different populations (due to lab error, differences in materials,
in ASTM Research Report RR:D30-2000.4 etc). By general convention in the composites testing field,
differences of less than one standard deviation (more than 50 %
chance of being from same population) are considered
4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may equivalent, thus the Repeatability Limit is not tabulated. It is
be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D30-2000. Contact ASTM Customer
Service at [email protected].
seen in Table 3 that these values range from 0.93 - 6.0 % for

TABLE 3 Round-Robin Statistics

Between-Observation Coefficients of Variation
(%)
Within-Lab Between-Lab
Mat-ID Material Lay-Up Test Cond thk (in.)
Repeatability, Reproducibility,
Sr / x̄ × 100 SR / x̄ × 100
Strength Strength
A Gr145 IM-Fiber / BMI [0]30 75F/Amb 0.1590 2.72 4.08
Tape
B Gr203 IM-Fiber / BMI [0]30 75F/Amb 0.2490 3.34 3.59
CSW Fabric
A
C Gr145 IM-Fiber / BMI 75F/Amb 0.1696 6.02 8.14
Tape
D Gr190 IM-Fiber / [0]34 75F/Amb 0.2482 0.93 5.21
Epoxy Tape
E Style 6781 Glass / [0]20 75F/Amb 0.1960 4.40 4.40
Epoxy Fabric
F Style 6781 Glass / [0]22 75F/Amb 0.2156 3.43 5.82
BMI Fabric
B
G Gr203 IM-Fiber / BMI [0]30 325F/Wet 0.2490 2.45 8.01
CSW Fabric
Average of Mat-IDs A, B, D-F: 2.97 4.62
A
Multi-directional 32 ply laminate: [45/90/(-45/02/45/02)2/-45/90]s. Not included in average repeatability and reproducibility.
B
325F ⁄Wet values not included in repeatability and reproducibility averages.

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short beam strength, which is reasonable when compared to range from 3.6 – 8.1 % for short beam strength, which is
other D30 within-lab repeatability precision statements. reasonable when compared to other D30 between-lab repro-
14.2.2 Reproducibility Coeffıcient of Variation (sR / x̄)— ducibility precision statements.
Defined to be between-lab precision on the same material, test 14.2.3 The above terms (repeatability coefficient of
method, but by a different lab and operator on a different day. variation, repeatability limit, reproducibility coefficient of
The percentage difference (CV) noted in Table 3 is one variation, and reproducibility limit) are used as specified in
standard deviation. An additional, optional metric defined in Practice E177.
Practice E691 is the Reproducibility Limit, 2.8 x (sR / x̄). This 14.3 Bias—Bias cannot be determined for this test method
value is the 95 % confidence interval on (sR / x̄) and two as no acceptable reference standard exists.
average values from different labs differing by more than this
amount are essentially certain to be from different populations. 15. Keywords
As above, differences of less than one standard deviation are 15.1 composite materials; resin and interlaminar properties;
considered equivalent. It is seen in Table 3 that these values short-beam strength

REFERENCES

(1) Berg, C. A., Tirosh, J., and Israeli, M., “Analysis of Short Beam (4) U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration,
Bending of Fiber Reinforced Composites,” in Composite Materials: “Test Methods for Composites a Status Report: Volume III Shear Test
Testing and Design (Second Conference), ASTM STP 497, ASTM, Methods,” Report No. DOT/FAA/CT-93/17, III, FAA Technical
1972, pp. 206-218. Center, Atlantic City, 1993.
(2) Whitney, J. M., and Browning, C. E., “On Short-Beam Shear Tests for (5) Cui, W., Wisnom, M. R., and Jones, M., “Effect of Specimen Size on
Composite Materials,” Experimental Mechanics, Vol 25, 1985, pp. Interlaminar Shear Strength of Unidirectional Carbon Fibre-Epoxy,”
294-300. Composites Engineering , Vol 4, No. 3, 1994, pp. 299-307.
(3) Sullivan, J. L., and Van Oene, H., “An Elasticity Analysis for the (6) Adams, D. F. and Lewis, E. Q., “Current Status of Composite Material
Generally and Specially Orthotropic Beams Subjected to Concen- Shear Test Methods,” SAMPE, Vol 31, No. 6, 1994, pp. 32-41.
trated Loads,” Composites Science and Technology, Vol 27, 1986, pp.
182-191.

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