Design and Testing
Design engineering of tailored preforms
Tailored preforming has opened new doors in composites fabrication, but designing for it requires tools that understand and work with this complex process.
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Composite material testing: How do I know if my measured composite properties are correct, or even reasonable?
CW columnist Dan Adams explores methods for determining correctness of measured mechanical properties for fiber-reinforced composites.
Read MoreGlass transition temperature testing of composites
The glass transition temperature of polymer matrix composites (PMCs) is determined by a series of tests at increasing temperatures.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Gripping composite test specimens: Options and guidance
Orthotropic behavior of composites test specimens makes load introduction uniquely challenging.
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Application of video extensometry to ASTM D 5656
Reliable, reproducible data is central to the design and delivery of cost-effective bonded assemblies.
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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?
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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?
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