A comparison of three shear test methods for composite materials

A graphite-epoxy composite material system is used to evaluate the performance of three popular shear tests - the 10-deg off-axis, the +/-45-deg tension, and the Iosipescu specimen tested in the modified Wyoming fixture. A comparison of the shear stress-strain response for each test method is made using a conventional strain gage instrument and moire interferometry. The uniformity and purity of the strain fields in the test sections of the specimens are discussed, and the shear responses obtained from each test are presented and compared. It is shown that the shear stress-strain responses obtained by instrumenting only one face of the 90-deg Iosipescu specimen could give erroneous results. The +/-45-deg tensile and 0-deg Iosipescu specimens were not affected by front-to-back face shear strain variations. Correction factors could be applied to bring all responses together, within the limits of the material uniformity, which was itself documented in the moire fringe patterns.