Bend and Shear Tests: Suitable Methods for Mechanical Characterization of Laminated Composite Materials

Abstract

Bend and shear tests were used to characterize the improvement in impact behavior of various ultrahigh carbon steel laminated composites. These tests turned out to deliver much more useful information about the mechanical properties of the laminates than the Charpy impact tests and were especially interesting for characterization of laminates of very high toughness values. The toughness of the various laminates was controlled by the rolling conditions that determined the quality of the bond and the appearance of delamination by the interfaces. The bend test allows determination of yield and maximum stresses, absorbed energy and permits graphical visualization of layer fracture and delaminations as testing proceeds. The shear test allows mechanical characterization of the bond quality between layers, permitting prediction of possible delaminations, and therefore, the mechanical properties of the layered material.