Methods to measure interlaminar tensile modulus of composites

This work expands a recently developed short-beam method coupled with the Digital Image Correlation full-field surface deformation measurement technique to enable assessment of the interlaminar tensile stress–strain constitutive properties of polymer–matrix composite materials. This work also expands the American Society for Testing and Materials Standard D 6415 curved-beam method as another means for measurement of the interlaminar tensile stress–strain constitutive behavior. The interlaminar tensile modulus values resulting from both methods are compared for Hexcel IM7/8552 carbon/epoxy tape composite material system.