4.1 This guide provides recommended standard formats for the computerization of mechanical test data for a range of test methods for high-modulus fiber-reinforced composite materials. The types of mechanical tests considered are tension, compression, shear, flexure, open/filled hole, bearing, fracture toughness, and fatigue. The ASTM standards for which this guide was developed are listed in 2.1. The recommended formats are not limited in use to these test methods. There are other test methods for which these recommended formats may be useful.

4.2 Comparison of data from various sources will be most meaningful if all of the elements are available.

4.3 The intent is to provide sufficient detail that values are known for the testing variables that may influence the results. The motivation for this guide is the steadily increasing use of computerized databases. However, this guide is equally appropriate for data stored in a hard-copy form.

4.4 This format is for mechanical test data for high-modulus fiber-reinforced composites only. It does not include the recommended material description or the presentation of other specific types of test data (such as fracture toughness test results). These items are covered by separate formats to be referenced in material specifications or other test standards.

1.1 This guide provides a common format for mechanical test data for composite materials for two purposes: (1) to establish data reporting requirements for test methods and (2) to provide information for the design of material property databases. This guide should be used in combination with Guide E1309 which provides similar information to identify the composite material tested.

1.2 These guidelines are specific to mechanical tests of high-modulus fiber-reinforced composite materials. Types of tests considered in this guide include tension, compression, shear, flexure, open/filled hole,² bearing, fracture toughness, and fatigue. The ASTM standards for which this guide was developed are listed in 2.1. The guidelines may also be useful for additional tests or materials.

1.3 This guide is the second part of a modular approach for which the first part is Guide E1309. Guide E1309 serves to identify the material, and this guide serves to describe mechanical testing procedures and variables and to record results. The interaction of this guide with Guide E1309 is emphasized by the common numbering of data elements. Data Elements A1 through G13 are included in Guide E1309 and numbering data elements in this guide begins with H1.

1.4 This guide with Guide E1309 may be referenced by the data-reporting section of a test method to provide common data-reporting requirements for the types of tests listed in 1.2.

1.5 From this information and Guide E1309, the database designer should be able to construct the data dictionary preparatory to developing a database schema.

1.6 Data elements in this guide are relevant to test data, data as obtained in the test laboratory and historically recorded in lab notebooks. Property data, data which have been analyzed and reviewed, require a different level of data elements. Data elements for property data are provided in Annex A1.