5.1 This test method is designed to produce notched tensile strength data for structural design allowables, material specifications, research and development, and quality assurance. Factors that influence the notched tensile strength and should therefore be reported include the following: material, methods of material fabrication, accuracy of lay-up, laminate stacking sequence and overall thickness, specimen geometry (including hole diameter, diameter-to-thickness ratio, and width-to-diameter ratio), specimen preparation (especially of the hole), specimen conditioning, environment of testing, specimen alignment and gripping, speed of testing, time at temperature, void content, and volume percent reinforcement. Properties that may be derived from this test method include the following:

1.1 This test method determines the open-hole tensile strength of multidirectional polymer matrix composite laminates reinforced by high-modulus fibers. The composite material forms are limited to continuous-fiber or discontinuous-fiber (tape or fabric, or both) reinforced composites in which the laminate is balanced and symmetric with respect to the test direction. The range of acceptable test laminates and thicknesses are described in 8.2.1.

1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.