Cutting Edge Test Method for Lightweight Materials: DIN SPEC 4885:2014-01

DIN SPEC 4885:2014-01 „Fibre-reinforced plastic composites – Shear test method using a shear frame for the determination of the in-plane shear stress/shear strain response and shear modulus“ defines a novel composite testing method for lightweight construction.

Increasing market demands for fibre reinforced composite materials require additional standards and specifications meeting the special properties of those materials. DIN SPEC 4885 specifies a method to determine the shear properties of fibre-reinforced plastics. It is mainly characterised by a quick and easy routine as well as accurate measurement with small standard deviations. The testing method, upon which DIN SPEC 4885 is based, was developed and validated at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing. Grasse Zur Composite Testing refined the method for commercial use and initiated the DIN SPEC project.

BMW Group, BASF SE as well as Carbon Composites e. V. (CCeV) participated in the development of the DIN SPEC project. The total processing time of the project from contacting DIN, recruiting new partners to publishing the documents was only 6 month, the preparation of the document taking only 6 weeks. The testing method defined in DIN SPEC 4885 is being used by the BMW Group for the development of structural components for the passenger compartments of the fully electronic BMW i3 as well as the plug-in hybrid sports car BMW i8. BASF SE applies the DIN SPEC 4885 for the development and testing of composite materials for lightweight automotive construction. CCeV is an industrial association in the field of carbon and glass fibre composite technologies which also is the institution of the MAI Carbon cluster funded by Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The testing method DIN SPEC 4885 is used by the project partners of MAI Carbon for the research and development of innovative cfrp materials.

DIN SPEC 4885:2014-01 is available from Beuth Verlag.