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The standardization of a statistically-based mechanical property data base, procedures used, and overall material guidelines for charac-terization of composite material systems is recognized as being beneficial to both manufacturers and governmental agencies. It is also recognized that a complete characterization of the capabilities of any engineering material system is primarily dependent on the inherent material physical and chemical composition which precede, and are independent of, specific applications. Therefore, at the material system characterization level, the data and guidelines contained in this handbook are applicable to military and commercial products and provide the technical basis for establishing statistically valid design values acceptable to certificating or procuring agencies.
This handbook specifically provides statistically-based mechanical property data on current and emerging polymer matrix composite materials, provides guidelines for the analysis and presentation of data, and provides fabrication and characterization documentation to ensure repeatability of results or reliable detection of differences.