About testing and types of polymer laminates

1. Lamination
• It is a technique to manufacture materials in multiple layers.
• The materials so produced have improved strength, stability and
appearance .
Laminated Flooring Laminated Paper

2. Laminates
• A laminate is a permanently assembled composite object created
using application of heat, pressure, welding or gluing.
• A laminated plastics are special form of polymer-matrix composite
consisting of layers of reinforcing materials that have been
impregnated with thermosetting resins, bonded together and cured
under heat and pressure.
• Cured laminates are produced in more than 70 grades based on
National Electrical Manufacturers (NEMA)specifications.

3. Uses of Laminates
Laminated Ply
Polymer Composite Laminate
Laminated Gloves

4. Materials Used To Make Laminates
A variety of polymer raw materials are used to make polymer
laminates. Some of the commonly used polymer raw materials are:
• PVC
• PETG
• ABS
• Acrylic
• ABS-PMMA
• ABS-PC

5. Types of Polymer Laminates
Polymer Films
• Polymer films are ‘thin’ laminates
ranging in thickness from 0.1 mm –
0.5 mm.
• Because they are extremely thin,
these films are readily available in
roll forms. PVC, PETG are commonly
used to make polymer films.

6. Types of Polymer Laminates
Polymer Foils or Sheets
• Polymer Foils or Sheets are ‘thicker’ laminates ranging in thickness
from 0.6 mm to 2 mm or more. Although polymer sheets up to 1 mm
can be easily rolled, they are generally available in ‘sheet’ form.
• The standard size of polymer sheet is 8 x 4 feet.
• PVC, HIPS, ABS, Acrylic, ABS-PMMA, ABS-PC are generally used to
make polymer foils or sheets.

7. Advantages of Polymer Laminates
Polymer laminates offer a multitude of advantages versus the conventional
laminates, such as:
• They are lighter in weight than the conventional laminates.
• Polymer laminates can be UV treated, thus they can be exposed to sunlight
without the fear of fading color.
• Materials like aryclic can be easily buffed.
• Polymer laminates are very easy and economical to maintain
• Polymer laminates does not emit any volatile organic contents

8. Testing of Laminates
• Laminates are tested just like a metal or polymer sheet in tension,
compression, shear etc.
• There are some unique tests for laminates like:
• Peel Test
• Swell Test
• Water Resistance test

9. Peel Test
• Peel test is used to measure Peel strength measures the force per unit
width of the laminate.
• Specimens for conducting peel strength should be in the form of
rectangular specimens where the two parts of the laminate have
already been adhered but where there is a region of unadhered
material (of nominal length 30 mm).
• The overall dimensions of a peel specimen need not be rigidly defined
but for many tests we have found that a length of 100 mm and width
20 mm proves to be quite satisfactory. Three specimens should be
tested for each set of conditions.

10. Peel Test

11. Standards for Testing Laminates
Some useful standards for testing polymer laminates are:
• ASTM D349 – Standard Test Methods for Laminated Round Rods
• ASTM D1781 – Standard Test Method for Climbing Drum Peel for Adhesives
• ASTM D2344 – Standard Test Method for Short-Beam Strength of Polymer
MatrixComposite Materials and Their Laminates
• ASTM D4762 – Standard Guide for Testing Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
• ASTM D5766 – Standard Test Method for Open-Hole Tensile Strength of Polymer
MatrixComposite Laminates
• ASTM D5961 – Standard Test Method for Bearing Response of Polymer Matrix
CompositeLaminates
• ASTM D6484 – Standard Test Method for Open-Hole Compressive Strength of
PolymerMatrix Composite Laminates

12. Open Hole Test for Polymer Laminate
• This test is used to determine the allowable tensile stresses on
polymer composite laminates.
• Open Hole Tensile ASTM D5766 measures the force required to break
a polymer composite laminate specimen with a centrally located hole.
• The hole allows for stress concentration and reduced net section
while the test method calculates ultimate strength based on gross
cross-sectional area, disregarding the hole.
• Used in Aerospace industry.

13. Open Hole Test
Specimen Size:
The most common specimen for ASTM D5766 has
a constant rectangular cross section, 1 1/2 in wide
and 10 in long.
A typical test speed for standard test specimens is
2 mm/min. Depending upon the reinforcement
and type, testing in more than one orientation may
be necessary.

14. References
• https://www.intertek.com/polymers/tensile-testing/open-hole/
• Moore, D. R., & Williams, J. G. (2001). Peel testing of flexible
laminates. European Structural Integrity Society, 203–223.
• https://www.praveedh.com/what-are-polymer-laminates-2/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamination
• https://www.touchstonetesting.com/services/material-
testing/laminate-testing/
• https://www.machinedesign.com/materials/article/21812671/lamina
ted-plastics

15. Thank You