ASTM D5961/D5961M-01e1 - 10.9.2001
 
1. Scope

1.1 This test method determines the bearing response of multi-directional polymer matrix composite laminates reinforced by high-modulus fibers by either double-shear (Procedure A) or single-shear (Procedure B) tensile loading of a specimen. Standard specimen configurations using fixed values of test parameters are described for each procedure. However, when fully documented in the test report, a number of test parameters may be optionally varied. The composite material forms are limited to continuous-fiber or discontinuous-fiber (tape or fabric, or both) reinforced composites for 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 This test method is consistent with the recommendations of MIL-HDBK-17, which describes the desirable attributes of a bearing response test method.

1.3 The multi-fastener test configurations described in this test method are similar to those used by industry to investigate the bypass portion of the bearing bypass interaction response for bolted joints, where the specimen may produce either a bearing failure mode or a bypass failure mode. While this test method may be referenced as guidance in bearing bypass test programs, the scope of this test method is limited to bearing failure modes.

1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text the inch-pound units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.

1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D2584-25

Standard Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced Resins

D953-19

Standard Test Method for Pin-Bearing Strength of Plastics

D2734-23

Standard Test Methods for Void Content of Reinforced Plastics

D3171-22

Standard Test Methods for Constituent Content of Composite Materials

D3410/D3410M-16(2024)

Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials with Unsupported Gage Section by Shear Loading

D3878-26

Standard Terminology for Composite Materials

D5229/D5229M-20

Standard Test Method for Moisture Absorption Properties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials

D5687/D5687M-20

Standard Guide for Preparation of Flat Composite Panels with Processing Guidelines for Specimen Preparation

E238-17a(2025)

Standard Test Method for Pin-Type Bearing Test of Metallic Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 12/3/2025).

E456-13a(2022)e1

Standard Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics (Includes all amendments and changes 4/16/2024).

E691-23

Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

E1309-00

Standard Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases

E1434-00

Standard Guide for Recording Mechanical Test Data of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials in Databases

E1471-92(1998)

Standard Guide for Identification of Fibers, Fillers, and Core Materials in Computerized Material Property Databases

MIL-HDBK-17,

Polymer Matrix Composites, Vol 1, Section 7 Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://dodssp.daps.dla.mil.

E4-24

Standard Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Testing Machines

E6-25

Standard Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing

E83-25

Standard Practice for Calibration, Verification, and Classification of Extensometer Systems

E122-17(2022)

Standard Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or Process

E177-26a

Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods (Includes all amendments and changes 5/14/2026).

D7248/D7248M-23

Standard Test Method for High Bearing - Low Bypass Interaction Response of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates Using 2-Fastener Specimens

D792-20

Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement

D883-26a

Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics (Includes all amendments and changes 6/15/2026).