ASTMD790_2003

Designation: D 790 – 03Standard Test Methods forFlexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plasticsand Electrical Insulating Materials 1This standard is issued under the fixed designationD 790; the number immediatelyfollowing the designationindicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.1. Scope*1.1 These test methods cover the determination of flexuralproperties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics, includinghigh-modulus composites and electrical insulating materials inthe form of rectangular bars molded directly or cut from sheets,plates, or molded shapes. These test methods are generallyapplicable to both rigid and semirigid materials. However,flexural strength cannot be determined for those materials thatdo not break or that do not fail in the outer surface of the testspecimen within the 5.0 % strain limit of these test methods.These test methods utilize a three-point loading system appliedto a simply supported beam. A four-point loading systemmethod can be found in Test Method D 6272.1.1.1 Procedure A, designed principally for materials thatbreak at comparatively small deflections.1.1.2 Procedure B, designed particularly for those materialsthat undergo large deflections during testing.1.1.3 Procedure A shall be used for measurement of flexuralproperties, particularly flexural modulus, unless the materialspecification states otherwise. Procedure B may be used formeasurement of flexural strength only. Tangent modulus dataobtained by Pr...