Testing acc. to ISO 527-4: Plastics – Determination of tensile properties – Part 4: Test conditions for isotropic and orthotropic fibre-reinforced plastic composites
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Our test laboratory performs tensile testing according to DIN EN ISO 527-4 to determine the tensile properties of isotropic and orthotropic fibre-reinforced plastic composites. The standard is based on the general principles of DIN EN ISO 527-1 and specifies the particular test conditions for fibre-reinforced composites. Properties determined include tensile strength, tensile modulus and tensile strain as well as, where appropriate, Poisson's ratio.
The scope includes thermoplastic and thermosetting composites with non-unidirectional reinforcement, such as mats, fabrics, woven rovings, short fibres, combined reinforcement structures and prepregs. Multidirectional laminates made from unidirectional layers can also be tested. Typical reinforcement fibres include glass, carbon and aramid fibres. The method therefore complements FILK's testing capabilities for Functional Coatings and Composites.
Testing according to DIN EN ISO 527-4
The specimen is clamped in a tensile testing machine and subjected to tensile loading at a defined test speed until fracture or until the specified test limit is reached. Force and deformation are recorded and used to determine the stress-strain behaviour of the composite.
DIN EN ISO 527-4 specifies different specimen geometries, including dumbbell-shaped, rectangular and waisted specimens, with or without load introduction tabs. Since fibre-reinforced composites are often anisotropic, specimens can be tested parallel and perpendicular to a principal direction defined by the material structure or manufacturing process.
Applications of the test
The test is used to assess the influence of reinforcement structure, fibre orientation, matrix material and laminate configuration on tensile behaviour. Testing in different material directions allows anisotropic properties to be characterized specifically.
The results are particularly relevant to material comparison, materials development, process optimization and quality control of fibre-reinforced composites.
Related tests
Within the DIN EN ISO 527 series, DIN EN ISO 527-1 specifies the general principles of tensile testing. DIN EN ISO 527-2 applies to moulding and extrusion plastics, while DIN EN ISO 527-3 covers films and thin sheets. Materials with exclusively or predominantly unidirectional reinforcement are covered by DIN EN ISO 527-5.
The flexural properties of fibre-reinforced plastics can additionally be determined according to DIN EN ISO 14125. For unfilled, filled and short-fibre-reinforced plastics, FILK also offers flexural testing according to DIN EN ISO 178.
