5.1 This test method may be used for material development, characterization, design data generation, and quality control purposes.

5.2 This test method is specifically appropriate for determining the modulus of advanced ceramics that are elastic, homogeneous, and isotropic (1).4

5.3 This test method addresses the room temperature determination of dynamic moduli of elasticity of slender bars (rectangular cross section) and rods (cylindrical). Flat plates and discs may also be measured similarly, but the required equations for determining the moduli are not addressed herein.

5.4 This dynamic test method has several advantages and differences from static loading techniques and from resonant techniques requiring continuous excitation.

5.4.1 The test method is nondestructive in nature and can be used for specimens prepared for other tests. The specimens are subjected to minute strains; hence, the moduli are measured at or near the origin of the stress-strain curve, with the minimum possibility of fracture.

5.4.2 The impulse excitation test uses an impact tool and simple supports for the test specimen. There is no requirement for complex support systems that require elaborate setup or alignment.

5.5 This technique can be used to measure resonant frequencies alone for the purposes of quality control and acceptance of test specimens of both regular and complex shapes. A range of acceptable resonant frequencies is determined for a specimen with a particular geometry and mass. Deviations in specimen dimensions or mass and internal flaws (cracks, delaminations, inhomogeneities, porosity, etc.) will change the resonant frequency for that specimen. Any specimen with a resonant frequency falling outside the prescribed frequency range is rejected. The actual modulus of each specimen need not be determined as long as the limits of the selected frequency range are known to include the resonant frequency that the specimen must possess if its geometry and mass and internal structure are within specified tolerances. The technique is particularly suitable for testing specimens with complex geometries (other than parallelepipeds, cylinders/rods, or discs) that would not be suitable for testing by other procedures. This is similar to the evaluation method described in Guide E2001.

5.6 If a thermal treatment or an environmental exposure affects the elastic response of the test specimen, this test method may be suitable for the determination of specific effects of thermal history, environment exposure, etc. Specimen descriptions should include any specific thermal treatments or environmental exposures that the specimens have received.

1.1 This test method covers determination of the dynamic elastic properties of advanced ceramics at ambient temperatures. Specimens of these materials possess specific mechanical resonant frequencies that are determined by the elastic modulus, mass, and geometry of the test specimen. The dynamic elastic properties of a material can therefore be computed if the geometry, mass, and mechanical resonant frequencies of a suitable (rectangular, cylindrical, or disc geometry) test specimen of that material can be measured. The resonant frequencies in flexure and torsion are measured by excitation of vibrations of the test specimen in a supported mode by a singular elastic strike with an impulse tool (Section 4 and Fig. 1, Fig. 3, and Fig. 4). Dynamic Young’s modulus is determined using the resonant frequency in the flexural mode of vibration. The dynamic shear modulus, or modulus of rigidity, is found using torsional resonant vibrations. Dynamic Young’s modulus and dynamic shear modulus are used to compute Poisson’s ratio.

FIG. 1 Block Diagram of Typical Test Apparatus

1.2 Although not specifically described herein, this test method can also be performed at cryogenic and high temperatures with suitable equipment modifications and appropriate modifications to the calculations to compensate for thermal expansion, in accordance with Subsections 9.2, 9.3, and 10.4 of Test Method C1198.

1.3 There are material-specific ASTM standards that cover the determination of resonance frequencies and elastic properties of specific materials by sonic resonance or by impulse excitation of vibration. Test Methods C215, C623, C747, C848, C1198, E1875, and E1876 may differ from this test method in several areas (for example, sample size, dimensional tolerances, sample preparation, calculation details, etc.). The testing of those materials should be done in compliance with the appropriate material-specific standards. Where possible, the procedures, sample specifications, and calculations in this standard are consistent with the other test methods.

1.4 This test method uses test specimens in bar, rod, and disc geometries. The rod and bar geometries are described in the main body. The disc geometry is addressed in Annex A1.

1.5 A modification of this test method can be used for quality control and nondestructive evaluation, using changes in resonant frequency to detect variations in specimen geometry and mass and internal flaws in the specimen. (See 5.5.)

1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The non-SI unit values given in parentheses are for information only and are not considered standard.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.