• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.12-16
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• 2011

High strain rate tensile tests were performed to measure the strain rate sensitivity of fiber reinforced composite material. The composite material was developed for the light weight design of an automotive FEM(front end module) carrier. Standard specimens for quasi-static tests of fiber reinforced composites can be found in ASTM D3039. However, in case of high strain rate tests, it was hard to find standard specimen shapes. In this study, three kinds of tensile specimens designed based on ASTM D638 were investigated to determined the adequate gauge width of tensile specimen for fiber reinforced composite. A drop tower type of high speed tensile apparatus was developed for strain rates of about 15/s and 100/s. Gauge width of 6mm, 8mm and 10mm were investigated. Test results showed the specimen of 8mm width was adequate for the high strain rate tensile tests of fiber reinforced composite. It was found the strength of the composite material increased as the strain rate increased.