EN 2597:1998 is a testing standard that specifies the method of determination of the ultimate tensile strength, tensile modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and strain at failure in tension of carbon fiber reinforced plastics in the form of unidirectional laminates. EN 2598 is used for product development and quality control by a range of manufacturers who use carbon fiber laminates, including the aerospace, automotive, wind energy, and construction industries. This method is only applicable to specimens where the axis is perpendicular to the direction of the fibers. Testing when the axis is parallel to the fiber direction calls for the use of EN 2561.

Materials Testing System

The strength of composite specimens with fibers oriented perpendicular to the loading direction (axis) are normally much lower than the strengths of specimens where the fibers are oriented in the loading direction. Hence, the test forces are much lower. However, since testing to EN 2597 is normally combined with a range of other, higher force tests on composite materials, an electromechanical floor model testing machine such as HST'S WDW-EC Series will be the most suitable solution.