scope:

This DIN SPEC specifies a method of using a shear test apparatus for measuring the in-plane shear stress/shear strain response, shear modulus and shear strength of continuous-fibre-reinforced plastic composite materials with fibre orientations of 0° and 0°/90°

 This method is suitable for use with thermoset and thermoplastic matrix laminates made from unidirectional layers/non-woven fabrics and/or fabrics including unidirectional fabrics, with the fibres oriented at 0° and 0°/90° to the specimen axis, where the lay-up is symmetrical and balanced about the specimen midplane.

The method is suitable for determining shear properties in both the linear and non-linear load-deformation range even at shear strains greater than 5 %. In particular, the method lends itself to determining the maximum shear strength even at shear strains > 5 %.