Experimental Characterization of Advanced Composite Materials

Over much of the last three decades, the evolution of techniques for characterizing composite materials has struggled to keep up with the advances of composite materials themselves and their broadening areas of application. In recent years, however, much work has been done to consolidate test methods and better understand those being used. Finally, a consensus regarding the best available methods exists, and definitive recommendations can be made. Experimental Characterization of Advanced Composite Materials provides a concise, authoritative treatment of the best available methods for determining the mechanical properties, thermal expansion coefficients, and fracture and strength data for composite materials. With emphasis firmly on practical matters, it presents processing techniques, specimen preparation, analyses of test methods, test procedures, and data reduction schemes. Five chapters that cover specific aspects of lamina testing are followed by discussions that extend these principles to laminate responses. The treatment concludes by exploring composite durability issues with discussions on defects and fracture mechanics. With its concise format, detailed procedures, and expert assessments, this book is an outstanding resource for composites manufacturing and test engineers and lab technicians. It brings together all of the most appropriate and widely accepted test test methods developed to date.

...an introductory textbook to the field of composite material testing. It presents the most common tests used to characterize composites in a format suitable for both students and practicing engineers.
-Composite.About.com
From the Introduction
The objective of this book is to present processing techniques, specimen preparation, analysis of test methods, testing, and data reduction schemes in order to determine mechanical properties, thermal expansion coefficients, and fracture and strength data for advanced composite materials. Emphasis is placed on practical matters such as preparation and testing of specimens and data reduction methodology. Several of the test methods included are ASTM standards, while others are being reviewed in ASTM committees and elsewhere to refine test geometries, test procedures and test reduction schemes. . . . The methods presented in some detail are deemed the most appropriate and widely accepted.