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 BRITISH STANDARD BS 2782-10:
Method 1005:
1977
CONFIRMED
OCTOBER 1983
EN 63

Methods of testing

Plastics —
Part 10: Glass reinforced plastics —

Method 1005: Determination of flexural

properties. Three point method
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IMPORTANT NOTE. Before reading this method it is essential to read the

foreword, general introduction and instructions to BS 2782.

UDC [678.5/.8].046.364:620.174
 BS 2782-10:Method 1005:19977

Cooperating organizations

The European Committee for Standardization, under whose direction this

European Standard was prepared, comprises the national standards
organizations of the following Western European countries:

Austria Oesterreichisches Normungsinstitut

Belgium Institut Belge de Normalisation
Denmark Dansk Standardiseringsraad
Finland Suomen Standardisoimisliitto, r.y.
France Association Française de Normalisation
Germany DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung
Ireland Institute for Industrial Research and Standards
Italy Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione
Netherlands Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut
Norway Norges Standardiseringsforbund
Portugal Repartição de Normalização
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Spain Instituto Nacional de Racionalización y Normalización

Sweden Sveriges Standardiseringskommission
Switzerland Association Suisse de Normalisation
United Kingdom British Standards Institution

A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of
a contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct
application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

This British Standard was

published under the authority
of the Executive Board on Amendments issued since publication
31 August 1977

© BSI 03-1999 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference PLC/-
Draft for comment 74/54599 DC

ISBN 0 580 09755 2

 BS 2782-10:Method 1005:1977

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword 2
National Appendix A Origins of work and relationship
with other British Standards Inside back cover
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© BSI 03-1999 i
Licensed Copy: KEO International, KEO International, 02 August 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

ii
blank
 EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 63
NORME EUROPÉENNE Edition 1
March 1977
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

UDC 678.5/8:677.521:620.174

Key words: Plastics, glass reinforced plastics, tests, mechanical tests, flexing tests, flexural stress, modulus of elasticity,
test equipment, test specimens, testing conditions

English version

Glass reinforced plastics.

Determination of flexural properties.
Three point method
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Matières plastiques renforcées au verre textile. Glasfaserverstärkte Kunststoffe.

Détermination des caractéristiques de flexion. Biegeversuch.
Méthode des trois pannes Dreipunkt-Verfahren

This European Standard was accepted by CEN on 1977-03-31. The CEN

members are bound to adhere to the CEN Internal Regulations which specify
under which conditions this European Standard has to be given, without any
alteration, the status of a national standard.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Central Secretariat or to
any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three versions (English, French, German),
recognized by CEN as equivalent. National versions in other languages rank
as translations and in case of doubt shall be checked against one of the
recognized versions.
CEN members are the national standards organizations of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: Rue de Bréderode, 2, B-1000 Brussels

© Copyright reserved to all CEN members

 EN 63:1977

Brief history Contents

This European Standard was drawn up by CEN Page
Technical Committee 66 “Testing of glass fibre Brief history 2
reinforced plastics”, the Secretariat of which is held
Foreword 2
by AFNOR.
1 Scope 3
The contents of this standard were submitted for
ballot to the members of CEN in November 1974 in 2 Reference 3
view of its adoption as a European Standard. 3 Definitions 3
This European Standard was adopted by CEN as a 4 Apparatus 3
result of its acceptance by the following member 5 Test specimen 3
countries:
6 Procedure 4
Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. 7 Calculation and expression of results 5
8 Test report 6
Foreword
Figure 1 — Orientation of test pieces 6
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This standard is technically equivalent to Figure 2 — Detail of testing machine 6

Recommendation ISO 178-1975, “Determination of
flexural properties of rigid plastics materials”
insomuch as it deals with glass reinforced plastics.

2 © BSI 03-1999

1 Scope
This European Standard describes a method for the
determination of flexural properties of textile glass
reinforced plastics in the form of rectangular bars of
standard or non-standard dimensions, moulded
directly or cut from sheets or other moulded shapes.
It only applies to simple, freely supported beams,
loaded at mid-span (three point loading test)1). The
following properties may be determined using the
method described:
1.1 The flexural stress and the deflection at break of
materials that break before, or at, the conventional
deflection.
1.2 The flexural stress at the conventional deflection
of materials that do not break before, or at, the
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conventional deflection.
1.3 The flexural stress at the maximum force for
materials that show maximum force before, or at,
the conventional deflection.
1.4 The flexural stress at break or at maximum
force, when the conventional deflection is exceeded,
if so required by the material specification.
NOTE If the conventional deflection is exceeded it may not be
possible to make direct comparison of results of flexural stress on
test specimens of different thicknesses.
1.5 Optional: the apparent modulus of elasticity in
flexure (modulus of elasticity determined by flexure
test).
NOTE The modulus of elasticity in flexure is to be considered
only as an approximate value of Young’s modulus of elasticity.
2 Reference
EN 62 — Glass reinforced plastics — Standard
atmospheres for conditioning and testing
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard the
following definitions apply.
3.1
deflection
the distance over which the top or bottom surface of
the test specimen at mid-span has deviated during
flexure from its original position
1) Itmay be useful to provide an optional method in which the force is applied by two loading noses (four point loading test). A
four point loading test allows measurement of a pure flexural force in the middle part of the test specimen. The compressive
stresses due to the two central noses are much lower in comparison with the stresses induced under the one central loading nose
of the three point test. (This European Standard does not cover the four point loading test.)
© BSI 03-1999
EN 63:1977
3.2
flexural stress at a given time of the test
the maximum outer fibre stress of the material in
the section of the test specimen mid-span. It is
calculated according to the relationship (4) given
in 7.1
3.3
flexural stress at the conventional deflection
the flexural stress at a deflection equal to 1.5 times
the thickness of the test specimen
3.4
flexural stress at maximum force
The flexural stress developed when the force
reaches the first maximum
3.5
flexural stress at rupture
The flexural stress developed at the moment of
rupture
4 Apparatus
Standard testing machine (shown schematically in
Figure 2) properly constructed and calibrated,
which can be operated at an approximately constant
rate, V, of relative movement of the loading nose and
the supports, and in which the error for indicated
forces does not exceed ± 1 % and for indicated
deflections does not exceed ± 2 %.
The supports and loading nose shall be at least as
wide as the test specimen and shall be parallel to
each other.
The radius r1 of the loading nose and the radius r2
of the supports should be as follows:
r1: (5 ± 0.1) mm
r2: (2 ± 0.2) mm
The distance between the supports, L, should be
adjustable.
5 Test specimen
If the test piece cannot be taken from a finished
product, a sheet, from which the test specimens are
taken, may be prepared in a pre-agreed manner
approximating to the manufacturing process.
3
 EN 63:1977
5.1 Dimensions of test specimens. The minimum
length l should be 20 h, where h is the thickness.
The width b should be also a function of thickness,
as shown in the following table.
Dimensions in millimetres
Thickness width
h b
1 < h < 10 15 ± 0.5
10 < h < 20 30 ± 0.5
20 < h < 35 50 ± 0.5
35 < h < 50 80 ± 0.5
When very coarse textile glass fibre roving is used as
the reinforcement, it may be necessary to increase
the width of the test specimens.
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5.2 Anisotropic materials
5.2.1 In the case of anisotropic materials, the test
specimens should be chosen so that the flexural
stress in the test procedure will be applied in the
same direction as that which will be applied in
service to products (moulded articles, sheets, etc.)
similar to those from which the test specimens are
taken. The chosen test specimen and the application
will determine the possibility or impossibility of
using standard test specimens and, in the latter
case, will govern the choice of the dimensions of the
test specimens in accordance with 5.1. It should be
noted that the position or orientation and the
dimensions of the test specimens sometimes have a
very significant influence on the test results
(see Figure 1).
5.2.2 If the material shows a significant difference
in flexural properties in two principal directions, it
is to be tested in those two directions (see Figure 1).
If, in service, this material is subjected to stress at
some specific orientation to the principal direction,
it is desirable to test the material at that
orientation.
5.3 Number of test specimens
5.3.1 Use the number of test specimens determined
by experiment as necessary to obtain a mean with
the required precision with a 95 % probability
confidence level. In any case, use at least 5 test
pieces.
5.3.2 The results from test specimens that break
outside the central one-third of the length between
the supports should be discarded and new test
specimens should be tested in their place. Such
cases should be mentioned in the test report.
4 © BSI 03-1999
5.4 Preconditioning. The test specimens shall be
conditioned as required by the particular
specification of each reinforced plastics material
tested. If no specification exists, condition the test
specimens for temperature and humidity for at
least 16 hours in accordance with European
Standard EN 62 (atmosphere 23 °C/50 % r.h.).
6 Procedure
6.1 Test atmosphere. Perform the test in one of
the standard laboratory atmospheres specified in
European Standard EN 62.
6.2 Measurement of dimensions. In the central
part of the test specimen measure the width, b, to
the nearest 0.1 mm and make three measurements
of the thickness to the nearest 0.02 mm, using the
arithmetic mean for calculation.
Adjust the distance, L, between supports to:
L = (16 ± 1) h (1)
Measure this length with an accuracy of 0.5 %.
NOTE For very thick and unidirectional reinforced test
specimens it may be necessary to use a distance between
supports calculated on a higher ratio of L/h to avoid delamination
in shear. For very thin test specimens, it may be necessary to use
a distance between supports calculated on a lower value of L/h to
enable measurements to be made within the force capacity of the
testing machine.
6.3 Testing. Adjust the testing machine to the rate
V, determined as follows.
6.3.1 If there is no specification for the material to
be tested, one or the other of the two following
methods can be used.
Method A. In non-routine testing of a material, a
speed (expressed in mm/min) shall be chosen
numerically equal to half the test specimen
thickness (expressed in mm) i.e.
h
V = --- (2)
2
Method B. For routine and screening tests
V = 10 mm/min
6.3.2 If there is a specification for the material,
either
a) the rate of movement of the loading nose is
specified, and is the rate to be used; or
b) the straining rate is specified, for
example 0.01, in which case the rate V of relative
movement of the loading nose may be calculated
by the following formula:
2
V (mm/min) = Sr .L
------------------- (3)
6h
 EN 63:1977

where For a rectangular section, the section modulus is

Sr is the strain rate, per minute (0.01); given by
2
L is the distance between supports, in W = b h
-------------
millimetres 6
h is the thickness of the test specimen, in where b and h are respectively the width and the
millimetres. thickness of the section in millimetres.
Hence, flexural stress is calculated by the following
6.4 Place the test specimen symmetrically across
formula:
the two parallel supports (as shown in Figure 2)
ensuring that the length of the test specimen is at 3 F L-
Ö f = ------------------ (6)
right angles to each of these. Ensure that the 2
2bh
loading nose is positioned exactly at the mid-span
position and apply the force at a uniform rate NOTE 1 1 N/mm2 = 1 MN/m2 = 1 MPa.
without impact. NOTE 2 For a more accurate calculation of the flexural stress
which takes into account the horizontal component of the flexural
6.5 If it is desired to measure the modulus of moment at deflection d, the following equation may be used:
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elasticity, read the force and the deflection values

2
simultaneously sufficiently frequently so that a 3 F L  4 d 
Ö f = ------------------  1 + ------------ (7)
smooth force/deflection curve may be plotted. A 2 b h 
2
L 
2

continuous registration of force and deflection, or

better, a direct plotting of the force/deflection curve
is preferable.
6.6 For test specimens that break before or at the
moment of reaching the conventional deflection
(see 3.3), record the force and deflection at break.
6.7 For test specimens that do not break before or at
the conventional deflection (see 3.3), record the
force at the conventional deflection. Alternatively, if
required by the material specification, continue the
test without interruption beyond the conventional
deflection until the test specimen breaks or a
maximum force is reached, and record the force and
deflection at whichever of these points is specified.
6.8 For test specimens that show maximum force
before the conventional deflection is reached, record
the maximum force and the corresponding
deflection.
7 Calculation and expression of results
7.1 Flexural stress Öf at a force F is calculated in
megapascals using the formula
Öf = M
------
W
where
M is the bending moment at force F, given by
F L
M = ----------
4 middle of the thickness.
in which
F is the force, in newtons, and
L is the distance between supports, in
millimetres;
W is the section modulus, in millimetres cubed.
where d is the deflection at mid-span, in millimetres.
7.2 Modulus of elasticity in flexure Eb. Plot a
force/deflection curve using the data collected.
Determine the modulus of elasticity from the initial
linear portion of the force/deflection curve by using
at least five values of the deflection and the force for
the test specimen Eb is given by the following
formula:
3
L - . %F
E b = ----------------
3
--------- (8)
4 bh %d
where
Eb is the modulus of elasticity, in megapascals
L is the distance between supports, in
millimetres;
b is the width of the test specimen, in
millimetres;
h is the thickness of the test specimen, in
millimetres;
%F is the change in force in the initial linear
(4) portion of the force/deflection curve, in newtons;
%d is the change in deflection corresponding to
the change in force %F, in millimetres.
7.3 Types of break. The calculated flexural stress
is that which occurs at the surfaces of the test
specimen, assuming that the neutral axis is the
(5)
During a flexural test three different types of breaks
can occur, i.e. those
a) initiated on the surface under tension;
b) initiated on the surface under compression;
c) showing internal shear failure

© BSI 03-1999 5
 EN 63:1977
The type(s) of break which occur(s) should be
indicated for each test specimen.
If the types of break observed in testing a group of
test specimens are different, then the values
obtained for flexural stresses are statistically
inhomogeneous, and great care has to be taken in
their interpretation.
8 Test report
The test report shall include a reference to this
standard and the following particulars, as
necessary.
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Figure 1 — Orientation of test pieces
8.1 Trade name, identification mark, origin, date of
receipt and other pertinent data concerning the
tested material.
8.2 Data concerning preparation of the test
specimens, particularly if special methods are
required (see clause 5).
8.3 Measured dimensions of the test specimens and
the length of span used.
Figure 2 — Detail of testing machine
6 © BSI 03-1999
8.4 Span-to-thickness ratio used when this is other
than the preferred value of 16 (see 6.2).
8.5 Testing procedure used.
8.6 If test specimens have broken, indicate for each
orientation of the test specimen in relation to the
sample
1) the side of the test specimen on which the
loading nose was applied;
2) the type of break for each test specimen
(see 7.3);
3) flexural stress at break or at maximum force,
the arithmetic mean and the standard deviation
and, optionally, the confidence interval (at 95 %
probability level) of the mean value;
4) deflection at break, giving the arithmetic mean
and the standard deviation.
8.7 If test specimens have not broken, indicate for
each orientation of the test specimen in relation to
the sample
1) the side of the test specimen on which the
loading nose was applied;
2) flexural stress at the conventional deflection
(see 3.3), stating the arithmetic mean and the
standard deviation;
3) flexural stress and deflection at the maximum
force (see 3.4), stating the arithmetic mean and
the standard deviation.
8.8 Optional: the force/deflection curve and the
arithmetic mean value of modulus of elasticity, Eb,
together with the standard deviation of Eb.
8.9 Method of conditioning and laboratory
atmosphere.
8.10 The number of test specimens which broke
outside the central third of the span (see 5.3.2).
 BS 2782-10:Method 1005:1977

National appendix A Origins of work and relationship with other

British Standards
The United Kingdom participated in the preparation of this and four other similar standards required to
enable the principle of “reference to standards” to be applied in the preparation, by the Commission of the
European Communities, of a directive concerning tanks made from reinforced plastics for the transport of
dangerous materials.
These standards are intended to be used solely for this purpose and they should not be adopted for other
applications without full technical consideration of the particular circumstances.
For more general application attention is drawn to method 301L of BS 2782:1970, “Methods of testing
plastics”. A revision of method 301L will be published shortly in Method 321 of BS 2782.
EN 62, which is referred to in this standard, has been published as Method 1004 of BS 2782. The usual
standard atmosphere used in the UK for conditioning plastics is 23 ± 2 °C, 50 ± 5 % r.h.
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© BSI 03-1999
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