5.1 This test method is designed to produce in-plane shear property data for material specifications, research and development, quality assurance, and structural design and analysis. Factors that influence the shear response and should therefore be reported include the following: material, methods of material preparation and lay-up, specimen stacking sequence and overall thickness, specimen preparation, specimen conditioning, environment of testing, specimen alignment and gripping, speed of testing, time at temperature, void content, and volume percent reinforcement. Properties that may be derived from this test method include the following:

5.1.1 In-plane shear stress versus shear strain response,

5.1.2 In-plane shear chord modulus of elasticity,

5.1.3 Offset shear properties,

5.1.4 Maximum in-plane shear stress for a ±45° laminate, and

5.1.5 Maximum in-plane engineering shear strain for a ±45° laminate.

1.1 This test method determines the in-plane shear response of polymer matrix composite materials reinforced by high-modulus fibers. The composite material form is limited to a continuous-fiber-reinforced composite ±45° laminate capable of being tension tested in the laminate x direction.

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text the inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.

1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.