ISO 14130-1997 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 14130:1997 — Fibre-reinforced plastic composites — Determination of apparent interlaminar shear strength by short-beam method. This International Standard specifies a short-beam three-point bending test for determining the apparent interlaminar shear strength of fibre‑reinforced plastic (FRP) composite laminates under controlled specimen geometry and test conditions.

Abstract

ISO 14130:1997 defines a laboratory test procedure (short‑beam method) to measure the apparent interlaminar shear strength (short‑beam strength) of unidirectional and multidirectional fibre‑reinforced plastic composite laminates. The method prescribes specimen geometry, span‑to‑thickness ratio, loading and support radii, test machine requirements and a calculation to derive an apparent interlaminar shear strength from the maximum load. The procedure is intended for comparative, quality and research testing rather than as a direct design value for structural calculations.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed).
• Publication date: December 1997 (ISO 14130:1997). Standard confirmed in 2023; corrigendum ISO 14130:1997/Cor 1 published 2003.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.120 — Reinforced plastics (composites).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1997).
• Number of pages: 8 pages.

Scope

This standard applies to fibre‑reinforced plastic composite laminates and specifies a short‑beam three‑point bending test for determining the apparent interlaminar shear strength (often called short‑beam strength). It covers specimen preparation and dimensions, test‑fixture details, test conditions, measurement procedures and expression of results. The method yields an apparent shear strength for comparative and quality assessment purposes and is not intended to provide direct design allowables for structural calculations.

Key topics and requirements

• Specimen geometry and sizing: rectangular bar specimens with recommended relationships between length, width and thickness (typical guidelines include span ≈ 5 × thickness and recommended aspect ratios to promote interlaminar shear failure).
• Test fixture and configuration: three‑point short‑span flexure with central loading; specified loading nose and support radii to reduce stress concentrations.
• Test machine and speed: requirements for the testing machine (stiffness, alignment) and specified crosshead speed; reference to relevant machine calibration/accuracy standards.
• Measurement and calculation: measurement of specimen width and thickness at midspan; calculation of apparent interlaminar shear strength tM using the peak load (commonly expressed as tM = 3F / (4 b h) for the short‑beam configuration).
• Number of specimens and statistical reporting: minimum recommended number of specimens (typically five or more) and reporting of mean values, scatter and observed failure modes.
• Failure mode acceptability: criteria for valid interlaminar shear failures (shear close to the neutral plane) and invalid results (dominant tension, compression or mixed failure modes that invalidate the test result).
• Conditioning and preparation: guidance on conditioning, surface finish and handling to ensure reproducibility.

Typical use and users

ISO 14130 is used by materials testing laboratories, composite manufacturers, research and development teams, quality assurance departments and standards organizations. Typical applications include comparative material evaluation, process control, quality acceptance testing of laminates, and research into interlaminar behaviour of composite systems in aerospace, automotive, marine and industrial composite sectors.

Related standards

Relevant and related documents include predecessor ISO 4585 (withdrawn), the corrigendum ISO 14130:1997/Cor 1:2003, test‑machine and calibration standards referenced by ISO (for example standards covering universal testing machines), and commonly used complementary test methods such as ASTM D2344/D2344M (short‑beam strength of polymer matrix composites). Other composite testing standards (tensile, flexure, interlaminar fracture toughness) are often used alongside ISO 14130 for comprehensive material characterization.

Keywords

interlaminar shear strength, short‑beam test, short‑beam strength, fibre‑reinforced plastics, FRP composites, apparent shear strength, three‑point bending, ISO 14130, composite testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 14130:1997 is an International Standard that specifies the short‑beam three‑point bending method to determine the apparent interlaminar shear strength of fibre‑reinforced plastic composite laminates.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen geometry and preparation, test‑fixture and apparatus requirements, test procedure and conditions, measurement and calculation of apparent interlaminar shear strength, reporting and criteria for valid failure modes.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials testing laboratories, composite manufacturers, R&D groups, quality assurance teams and standards bodies in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, marine and industrial composites.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The original edition was published in December 1997 (Edition 1). The standard has an associated corrigendum issued in 2003. The standard was reviewed and the edition status confirmed (reviewed/confirmed in 2023). Users should check the latest available status from the publisher or national body for any further revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: ISO 14130 sits within ISO's suite of composite material test methods (ICS 83.120) and is commonly used alongside other composite testing standards (tensile, flexural, interlaminar fracture toughness standards). It replaces or updates earlier national/international short‑beam or interlaminar shear procedures.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: interlaminar shear strength, short‑beam, short‑beam method, FRP composites, apparent shear strength, three‑point bending, ISO 14130.