A simple test method, NAL-II, to evaluate the strength and elastic modulus of polymer matrix composite laminates

This study proposes and assesses a simple test method (NAL-II) to evaluate compressive properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite laminates (CFRP). Compressive tests based on ASTM D6641 and NAL-II methods were conducted for direct comparison using three kinds of quasi-isotropic composite laminates (T800H/3633, T800S/3900-2B, and IM600/133). Stress–strain curves including the compressive modulus obtained using the NAL-II method showed good agreement with those obtained using the ASTM D6641. The NAL-II method gave slightly higher (approximately 10%) compressive strengths than the ASTM D6641 method, probably because of suppression of bending (buckling) before failure. The experimentally obtained results suggest that the NAL-II method can be useful for international standard testing of the non-hole compressive strength of CFRP laminates.