BS EN ISO 527-4-2023 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN ISO 527-4:2023 — Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 4: Test conditions for isotropic and orthotropic fibre‑reinforced plastic composites. This document specifies test conditions, specimen geometries and procedures to determine tensile strength, tensile modulus, Poisson's ratios and related tensile properties for non‑unidirectional and symmetrical laminated fibre‑reinforced thermosetting and thermoplastic composite materials.

Abstract

This standard defines the test conditions and specimen types applicable to isotropic and orthotropic fibre‑reinforced plastic composites (e.g., mats, woven fabrics, chopped strands, hybrids and symmetric laminates). It is based on the general principles of ISO 527‑1 and excludes predominantly unidirectional reinforcements (covered by ISO 527‑5) and injection‑moulded specimens (covered by ISO 527‑2). Typical outputs are engineering stress‑strain behaviour, ultimate tensile strength, tensile modulus (over specified strain ranges), strain at strength and Poisson’s ratios.

General information

• Status: Published (current edition).
• Publication date: ISO edition published March 2023; adopted as BS EN ISO and published nationally in April 2023 (BS publication date for the British version: 17 April 2023).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); adopted and published as BS EN ISO by national bodies (e.g., BSI/other national bodies).
• ICS / categories: 83.120 (Plastics, testing and analysis).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 — ISO 527‑4:2023.
• Number of pages: ISO edition: 28 pages (note: national adoptions (BS EN ISO) can include additional national forewords and thus differ in total page count).

Scope

Specifies test conditions for determination of tensile properties of isotropic and orthotropic fibre‑reinforced plastic composites, including fibre‑reinforced thermosetting and thermoplastic materials incorporating non‑unidirectional reinforcements (mats, woven fabrics, woven rovings, chopped strands, hybrids, short or milled fibres, prepregs) and finished products made from such materials. Covers specimen selection, dimensions (several specimen types including a tapered type 4), gripping, test speed, measurement methods (extensometers, gauge lengths) and how to derive tensile properties. Materials with mainly unidirectional reinforcements are covered by ISO 527‑5; injection‑moulded specimens are covered by ISO 527‑2.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of four specimen types (type 1B, type 2, type 3 with bonded end‑tabs, and type 4 tapered specimen) and guidance on when to use each.
• Test apparatus and measurement accuracy requirements (extensometer/gauge length, micrometre accuracy and grip face design).
• Test speeds correlated with gauge length and expected strain rates; instructions for alignment and gripping to avoid grip failures.
• Procedures for calculation of tensile modulus, tensile strength, strain at maximum load and Poisson’s ratios from measured data.
• Guidance on specimen preparation, thickness limits (typically 2 mm to 10 mm for types 2–4) and recommendations for continuous‑fibre composites (preferred thickness, tabbing where required).

Typical use and users

Used by materials and test laboratories, composite manufacturers, quality assurance teams, research and development groups, and certification bodies to characterize tensile behaviour of non‑unidirectional and multi‑directional fibre‑reinforced plastics. Typical applications include aerospace, automotive, marine, sporting goods and industrial composite component verification and material development.

Related standards

Key related documents include ISO 527‑1 (general principles for tensile testing of plastics), ISO 527‑2 (test conditions for moulding and extrusion plastics), ISO 527‑5 (test conditions for unidirectional fibre‑reinforced composites) and other composite testing standards such as ISO 14125 (flexural properties of fibre‑reinforced plastics). National adoptions appear as EN ISO and BS EN ISO versions where applicable.

Keywords

tensile test, tensile strength, tensile modulus, Poisson's ratio, fibre‑reinforced plastics, composites, specimen geometry, ISO 527, BS EN ISO, test conditions, extensometer.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 527‑4:2023 establishes test conditions for measuring tensile properties of isotropic and orthotropic fibre‑reinforced plastic composites and is published as an international standard and adopted regionally/nationally (e.g., as BS EN ISO 527‑4:2023).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen types and dimensions, apparatus and measurement requirements, gripping and alignment, test speeds, and calculation methods for tensile strength, modulus, strain at break and Poisson’s ratios for non‑unidirectional and symmetric laminated composites. It defers to ISO 527‑1 for general principles and to ISO 527‑2 and ISO 527‑5 for specific material categories (injection‑moulded and unidirectional materials respectively).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Test laboratories, composite manufacturers, R&D teams, certification bodies and quality managers who need standardized, repeatable tensile data on fibre‑reinforced composites for design, verification and material specification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — the 2023 edition (Edition 3) replaced earlier editions (including 1997 and 2021 versions) and is the active international edition as published by ISO and adopted by national bodies.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 527 is a multi‑part series on tensile testing of plastics. Relevant companion parts include ISO 527‑1 (general principles), ISO 527‑2 (moulding and extrusion plastics), ISO 527‑3 (films and sheets), ISO 527‑5 (unidirectional fibre‑reinforced plastics) and others referenced for specific materials and test conditions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Tensile properties, tensile strength, tensile modulus, Poisson's ratio, specimen types (type 1B, 2, 3, 4), fibre‑reinforced composites, testing procedure, ISO 527.