ASTM_D_3171_-_15.pdf

Designation:D317115Standard Test Methods forConstituent Content of Composite Materials1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3171;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript 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.Scope1.1 These test methods determine the constituent content ofcomposite materials by one of two approaches.Test Method Iphysically removes the matrix by digestion or ignition orcarbonization by one of eight procedures,leaving the rein-forcement essentially unaffected and thus allowing calculationof reinforcement or matrix content(by weight or volume)aswell as percent void volume.Test Method II,applicable only tolaminate materials of known fiber areal weight,calculatesreinforcement or matrix content(by weight or volume),and thecured ply thickness,based on the measured thickness of thelaminate.Test Method II is not applicable to the measurementof void volume.1.1.1 These test methods are primarily intended for two-partcomposite material systems.However,special provisions canbe made to extend these test methods to filled material systemswith more than two constituents,though not all test results canbe determined in every case.1.1.2 The procedures contained within have been designedto be particularly effective for certain classes of polymer ormetal matrices.The suggested applications are discussed inSection 4,as well as at the start of each procedure.1.1.3 Test Method I assumes that the reinforcement isessentially unaffected by the digestion or ignition medium orcarbonization.A procedure for correction of the results forminor changes in the reinforcement is included.Procedures Athrough F are based on chemical removal of the matrix whileProcedure G removes the matrix by igniting the matrix in afurnace.Procedure H carbonizes the matrix in a furnace.1.1.4 Test Method II assumes that the fiber areal weight ofthe reinforcement material form is known or controlled to anacceptable tolerance.The presence of voids is not measured.Eq 15 and 16 assume zero void content to perform thecalculation.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.See Section 9 foradditional information.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity(Rela-tive Density)of Plastics by DisplacementD883 Terminology Relating to PlasticsD1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient TechniqueD3878 Terminology for Composite MaterialsD5229/D5229M Test Method for MoistureAbsorption Prop-erties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer MatrixComposite MaterialsE12 Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravityof Solids,Liquids,and Gases(Withdrawn 1996)3E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias inASTM Test MethodsE1309 GuideforIdentificationofFiber-ReinforcedPolymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsTerminology D3878 defines terms relatingto composite materials.Terminology D883 defines termsrelating to plastics.Terminology E12 defines terms relating tospecific gravity.Practice E177 defines terms relating to statis-tics.In the event of a conflict between terms,TerminologyD3878 shall have precedence over other documents.1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 onComposite Materials and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.04 onLamina and Laminate Test Methods.Current edition approved April 1,2015.Published May 2015.Originallyapproved in 1973.Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D3171 11.DOI:10.1520/D3171-15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.1.1 fiber content,nthe amount of fiber present in acomposite or prepreg expressed either as percent by weight orpercent by volume.This is sometimes stated as a fraction.If nofillers exist,this is equivalent to reinforcement content.D38783.1.2 matrix content,nthe amount of matrix present in acomposite or prepreg expressed either as percent by weight orpercent by volume.For polymer matrix composites this is resin