French research institute Cetim has received accreditation from the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (Nadcap) for the fifth consecutive time covering testing of composite materials.
Some 19 mechanical, physical and chemical tests were assessed under the NMMT: AC7122 Non Metallic Materials Testing standard.
The prevalence of composite materials, which allow for lighter aircraft structures and airframes, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing harmful emissions, has led to a growing demand for composite testing in the aircraft manufacturing industry, the company said.
This Nadcap accreditation complements others held by Cetim’s subsidiary Etim and as a result, the two companes can offer the aeronautics sector a comprehensive range of Nadcap accredited tests.
The Nadcap accreditation covers the following mechanical tests (on non-metallic materials):
- Tensile test at room temperature
- Tensile test at non-ambient temperature
- Tensile deformation measurement
- Compression test at room temperature
- Compression test at non-ambient temperature
- Compression deformation measurement
- Bending shearing on close supports at room temperature
- Bending test at room temperature
- Bending test at non-ambient temperature.
The physical tests will relate to :
- Density/specific gravity
- Fiber/resin/porosity rate by acid ingestion
- Fiber/resin/porosity rate by calcination
- Moisture pick-up test
- Volatile component rate characterisation
- Surface density of the reinforcements
- Surface density of the adhesive/prepreg films.
The thermal analyses are focused on thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), whilst the chemical tests will pertain to Fourrier transform infrared analysis.
This story is reprinted from material from Cetim, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
