Material Testing for Plastics and
Composite Materials
Lightweight construction and material testing are the insignia of the IMA Dresden – and our company
has been involved with plastics and composite materials since 1961.
Beneficial material properties, versatile areas of use and flexible dimensions gave the plastic and composite market a renewed boost. Today, wind energy, automotive and aerospace industries, along with the rail vehicle industry, are the continuous driving forces for advancing innovation with their demands.
IMA Dresden is an international testing and development centre for inspecting materials and will accompany and support you from the basic material onto production technology and up to, and including, the approval of the finished product. This service comprises not only static, cyclic and dynamic tests but also static long-term tests. The standardised and compliant material samples will be manufactured in-house with wide range of various manufacturing technologies. Furthermore, IMA Dresden has comprehensive experience in the fields of adhesive technology, laminate calculation as well as approval for materials.
We work according to German and international standards and guidelines (DIN, ASTM, ISO, etc.), or in accordance with factory settings. All relevant test laboratories are accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 and moreover are accredited for the business fields of “Material Testing of Metallic Materials” and “Material Testing of non-metallic materials according to SAE Aerospace Standard AS7003 by NADCAP” (National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Programme).
Our portfolio
Materialography
Whether for quality assurance, damage analysis or for research and development - in our accredited materialography laboratories we take a close look at both metallic and non-metallic materials of different composition with qualitative and quantitative characterization methods. This also includes the sample preparation procedures and the analysis, evaluation and documentation of the microscopic examination results.
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Damage analysis
Determining causes and effects experimentally - we assess damage cases and thus support the cause clarification. Our experienced engineers help you to investigate undesirable damage phenomena in detail - for example, by materialography, acoustic damage detection or non-destructive testing methods.
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Materials Testing Metals
Our material specialists accompany you in the implementation of your test programs as well as standardization, approval and certification of materials or manufacturing processes. We stand by your side during the entire test procedure, from the consultation, test planning and sample production, over the test itself up to the finished test report.
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Medial Load Testing
No matter whether it concerns piping, components, aggregates (pressure generators, pressure consumers) or integrated systems with the use of special media, we determine the behavior under the real driving dynamic loads combined with temperature change, pressure change, volume flow and vibration excitation.
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Automobiles
Powerful for every vehicle type - our strength tests, approval tests or development tests are proven to be reliable for testing the operational strength and service life of automotive components, media-conducting systems, electrical components and materials.
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Aerospace
Whether it's for life-time certification or certification of the aircraft component, IMA engineers test, simulate, or calculate any design group of an aircraft, such as aircraft, for reliable results. B. hull works, structures, tail units, trolleys and engines and interior components.
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Railway
At our testing and development center, we test all rail vehicle components and materials for strength and service life. In terms of product and operational safety as well as quality assurance, we bundle the forces of testing and test design in our company with measurement, calculation, simulation and proof of strength as well as construction.
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Construction Products
Whether product conformity, quality and safety standards, material characterization, service life and condition assessment - IMA Dresden plays a major role here. The independent, recognized and accredited certification body, testing center, and inspection body will assist you with any questions about requirements, test procedures, and requirements of applicable standards, regulations, and laws.
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Wind Energy
In the development and approval process, we support manufacturers of wind turbines, component manufacturers in the development and approval process and power generation companies in validation, damage analysis, product optimization and structural monitoring. Materials, structures, components or structures are extensively tested, including characterization, strength testing, durability testing and system tests.
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Medical Devices
In the approval and development of medical devices, we support in particular with strength and wear tests of joint endoprostheses, osteosynthesis products, traumatology products, surgical instruments and skin adhesives according to standard or special test
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Materials databases
The databases of our WIAM® product line provide material information and characteristic values that are used reliably for material selection, design, standardization, calculation and simulation. The data pool draws on material and fundamental experiments from the last five decades, and new materials are systematically integrated.
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Software and Software Solutions
We have solved the management of data and documents from processes in the areas of research and development, simulation and calculation, laboratory, quality management, process development and production planning - with the WIAM® database systems we offer suitable software solutions with flexible data structures, display options and evaluations.
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Training and Seminars
Benefit from our cross-industry know-how: In training courses and seminars directly at your company or at our site, you will receive extensive specialist knowledge - from courses for non-destructive testing (ZfP / NDT) about the FKM guideline "Computational Strength Verification of Machine Components" to software user training for WIAM® fatigue RIFEST.
Read moreStarting Point for Non-metallic Materials and Connections
We assume the comprehensive determination for mechanical, thermal and chemical characteristics for you as well as determining the loading capacity of plastics, fibre-reinforced plastics, adhesive connections and/or joints hybrid material combinations.
Depending on the requirement, these tests can be executed at low and high temperatures as well as under media influence. We have extensive standard testing technology resources and experience in the design, construction and operation of special test benches for material and component testing processes.
We have also specialized in the comprehensive test topic of thermoplastic composite pipes. The qualification of the “thermoplastic composite pipes” ensures performance, reliability and safety during their service life using the DNVGL-RP-F119.
Please feel free to contact us when you require a special solution for your testing requirements.
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Physical Tests
Our test laboratories enable us to not only determine and assess the specific physical characteristics but also the thermal properties of test materials. The wide-ranging scope of our audits has a high coverage: commencing with the fibre content provision to the determination of the glass transition temperature and up to conditioning of samples.
Test spectrum
Physical tests
- Tightness
- Fibre content (GFK, CFK and Hybrid)
- Grinding analysis
- Fibre Distribution
Thermal analysis
- DSC (Dynamic
- Differential Thermal Analysis)
- DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis)
- Dilatometry (determination of coefficient of thermal expansion)
Environmental audits
- Conditioning material and samples
- Water absorption
- Storage in aggressive fluids
Test procedures
| Standard | Title |
| DIN EN ISO 1183-1 | Mass determination – Plastics – Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics – Part 1: Immersion method, liquid pyknometer method and titration method |
| DIN EN ISO 845 | Mass determination – Cellular plastics and rubbers – Determination of apparent density |
| ISO 10119 | Carbon fibre – Determination of density |
| DIN EN ISO 1172 | Mass determination – Textile-glass-reinforced plastics – Prepregs, moulding compounds and laminates – Determination of the textile-glass and mineral-filler content; calcination methods |
| DIN EN 2564 | Mass determination – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre laminates – Determination of the fibre, resin and void contents |
| DIN EN ISO 868 | Plastics and ebonite – Determination of indentation hardness by means of a durometer (Shore hardness) |
| DIN EN 59 | Glass Reinforced Plastics; Measurement of Hardness by Means of a Barcol Impressor |
| DIN EN 2330 | Mass determination – Aerospace series; textile glass fibre preimpregnates; test method for the determination of the content of volatile matter |
| DIN EN 2332 | Mass determination – Aerospace series; textile glass fibre preimpregnates; test method for the determination of the resin flow |
| DIN EN 2557 | Mass determination – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre preimpregnates – Determination of mass per unit area |
| DIN EN 2558 | Mass determination – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre preimpregnates – Determination of the volatile content |
| DIN EN 2559 | Mass determination – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre preimpregnates – Determination of the resin and fibre content and the mass of fibre per unit area |
| DIN EN 2560 | Mass determination – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre preimpregnates – Determmination of the resin flow |
| DIN EN ISO 1889 | Mass determination – Reinforcement yarns – Determination of linear density |
| DIN EN 1602 | Mass determination – Thermal insulating products for building applications – Determination of the apparent density |
| ASTM D2584 | Mass determination – Standard Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced Resins |
| ASTM D792 | Mass determination – Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement |
| DIN EN ISO 1675 | Mass determination – Plastics – Liquid resins – Determination of density by the pyknometer method |
| ASTM D3529 | Mass determination – Standard Test Method for Matrix Solids Content and Matrix Content of Composite Prepreg |
| ASTM C271 | Mass determination – Standard Test Method for Density of Sandwich Core Materials |
| ISO 3374 | Mass determination – Reinforcement products – Mats and fabrics – Determination of mass per unit area |
| ASTM D2734 | Mass determination – Standard Test Methods for Void Content of Reinforced Plastics |
| DIN EN ISO 1110 | Conditioning – Plastics – Polyamides – Accelerated conditioning of test specimens |
| DIN EN ISO 62 | Conditioning – Plastics – Determination of water absorption |
| DIN EN ISO 175 | Conditioning – Plastics – Methods of test for the determination of the effects of immersion in liquid chemicals |
| ASTM D 5229 | Conditioning – Standard Test Method for Moisture Absorption Properties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials |
| ASD-STAN prEN 3615 | Conditioning – Fibre reinforced plastics – Determination of the conditions of exposure to humid atmosphere and of moisture absorption |
| ASTM D570 | Conditioning – Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics |
| DIN EN 2378 | Conditioning – Aerospace series – Fibre reinforced plastics – Determination of water absorption by immersion |
| DIN EN 2578 | Conditioning – Plastics – Determination of time-temperature limits after prolonged exposure to heat |
| DIN EN 2743 | Conditioning – Aerospace series – Fibre reinforced plastics – Standard procedures for conditioning prior to testing unaged materials |
| DIN EN ISO 291 | Conditioning – Plastics – Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing |
| ASTM D618 | Conditioning – Standard Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing |
| DIN EN 2823 | Conditioning – Aerospace series – Fibre reinforced plastics – Determination of the effect of exposure to humid atmosphere on physical and mechanical characteristics |
| ASTM D2583 | Physikal testing – Standard Test Method for Indentation Hardness of Rigid Plastics by Means of a Barcol Impressor |
| ASTM D3171 | Physikal testing – Standard Test Methods for Constituent Content of Composite Materials |
| DIN 16495 6.3 | Physikal testing – Testing of resins, hardeners and accelerators, and catalyzed resins |
| DIN 16495 6.5 | Physikal testing – Testing of resins, hardeners and accelerators, and catalyzed resins |
| ASTM D2240 | Physikal testing – Standard Test Method for Rubber Property-Durometer Hardness |
| DIN EN 2555 | Physikal testing – Plastics – Resins in the liquid state or as emulsions or dispersions – Determination of apparent viscosity using a single cylinder type rotational viscometer method |
| DIN EN ISO 3521 | Physikal testing – Plastics – Unsaturated polyester and epoxy resins – Determination of overall volume shrinkage |
| ASTM D4359 | Physikal testing – Standard Test Method for Determining Whether a Material Is a Liquid or a Solid |
| DIN EN 60068-2-14 | Physikal testing – Environmental testing – Part 2-14: Tests – Test N: Change of temperatur |
| DIN EN ISO 11357-6 | Physikal testing – Plastics – Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) – Part 6: Determination of oxidation induction time (isothermal OIT) and oxidation induction temperature (dynamic OIT) |
| DIN 53019-1 | Viscometry – Measurement of viscosities and flow curves by means of rotational viscometers – Part 1: Principles and measuring geometry |
| DIN 53019-2 | Viscosimetry – Measurement of viscosities and flow curves by means of rotation viscosimeters – Part 2: Viscosimeter calibration and determination of the uncertainty of measurement |
| DIN 53019-3 | Viscometry – Measurement of viscosities and flow curves by means of rotational viscometers – Part 3: Errors of measurement and corrections |
| DIN EN ISO 11357-1 | Thermal analysis – Plastics – Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) – Part 1: General principles |
| DIN EN ISO 11357-2 | Thermal analysis – Plastics – Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) – Part 2: Determination of glass transition temperature and glass transition step height |
| DIN EN ISO 11357-3 | Thermal analysis – Plastics – Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) – Part 3: Determination of temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization |
| DIN EN ISO 11357-5 | Thermal analysis – Plastics – Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) – Part 5: Determination of characteristic reaction-curve temperatures and times, enthalpy of reaction and degree of conversion |
| DIN EN 6064 | Thermal analysis – Aerospace series – Analysis of non-metallic materials (cured) for the determination of the extent of cure by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) |
| AITM 3-0002 | Thermal analysis – AITM Airbus Test Method – Analysis of non metallic materials (uncured) by Differential scanning calorimetry |
| AITM 3-0008 | Thermal analysis – AITM Airbus Test Method – Determination of the extent of cure by Differential scanning calorimetry |
| ISO 6721-5 | Thermal analysis – Plastics – Determination of dynamic mechanical properties – Part 5: Flexural vibration – Non-resonance method |
| DIN EN 6032 | Thermal analysis – Aerospace series – Fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of the glass transition temperatures |
| ASTM D 5026 | Thermal analysis – Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Tension |
| DIN 53752 | Thermal analysis – Testing of plastics; determination of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion |
| ASTM E831 | Thermal analysis – Standard Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid Materials by Thermomechanical Analysis |
| AITM 1-0003 | Thermal analysis – Determination of the glass transition temperatures |
| AITM 1-0003 | Thermal analysis – Determination of the glass transition temperatures |
| ASTM E1640 | Thermal analysis – Standard Test Method for Assignment of the Glass Transition Temperature By Dynamic Mechanical Analysis |
| ISO 11359-1 | Thermal analysis – Plastics – Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) – Part 1: General principles |
| ISO 11359-2 | Thermal analysis – Plastics – Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) – Part 2: Determination of coefficient of linear thermal expansion and glass transition temperature |
| ASTM E1356 | Thermal analysis – Standard Test Method for Assignment of the Glass Transition Temperatures by Differential Scanning Calorimetry |
| ASTM D7028 | Thermal analysis – Standard Test Method for Glass Transition Temperature (DMA Tg) of Polymer Matrix Composites by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) |
| SACMA 18R-94 | Thermal analysis – Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) Dtermination of oriented fiber-resin Composites |
| DIN EN 6041 | Thermal analysis – Aerospace series – Non-metallic materials – Test method – Analysis of non-metallic materials (uncured) by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) |
Viscosity Determination 
Fibre Content Determination 
DCS Analysis 
Density Determination 
Specimen Conditioning 
Scanning electron microscopy of a sandblasted CFRP adhesive surface
StatiC-Mechanical Material Test
We implement a wide variety of standard tests for the static characterisation of fibre composite materials. We will be pleased to advise you about which test standards apply for determining your material and the characteristic values. In principle, the tests can be accredited in accordance with all national and international standards, either with standard climatic conditions or under increased and lower temperatures. In addition, we can provide additional tests within the framework of flexible accreditation Category 2 in addition to standard procedures.
Test spectrum
- Tension, compression, bending, shear, connections
- Load range: 0.5 N – 4 MN
- Standard climatic conditions:
- 23 °C ± 2 °C, 50 % ± 5 % relative humidity
- Test under temperature influence:
- Temperature range: -55 °C up to 200 °C
- Screw connections
- Various devices for elongation measurement
- Specialised clamping / devices (IMA pressure testing device, IMA rail shear testing device)
Determining the energy release rate
- G1c Testing
- G2c Testing (3ENF, 4ENF)
- Mixed-Mode Testing
Impact testing
- CAI (Compression After Impact)
- Measuring the impact depth
- Impact on components
- Continuous stress impact on damaged
- components
- Determining the damage area
Test procedures
| Standard | Title |
| DIN EN ISO 14126 | Compression testing – Fibre-reinforced plastic composites – Determination of compressive properties in the in-plane direction |
| AITM 1-0008 | Compression testing – AITM Airbus Test Method – Fibre Reinforced Plastics |
| DIN EN 2850 | Compression testing – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre thermosetting resin – Unidirectional laminates – Compression test parallel to fibre direction |
| DIN 65375 | Compression testing – Aerospace – Fiber reinforced plastics – Testing of unidirectional laminates – Compression test transverse to fiber direction |
| DIN EN ISO 844 | Compression testing – Rigid cellular plastics – Determination of compression properties |
| DIN EN ISO 604 | Compression testing – Plastics – Determination of compressive properties |
| DIN EN 826 | Compression testing – Thermal insulating products for building applications – Determination of compression behaviour |
| ASTM D695 | Compression testing – Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics |
| ASTM D3410 | Compression testing – Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials with Unsupported Gage Section by Shear Loading |
| DIN EN 6036 | Compression testing – Aerospace series – Fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of notched, unnotched and filled hole compression strength |
| ASTM C364 | Compression testing – Standard Test Method for Edgewise Compressive Strength of Sandwich Constructions |
| ASTM D6641 | Compression testing – Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials Using a Combined Loading Compression (CLC) Test Fixture |
| ASTM C364 | Compression testing – Standard Test Method for Edgewise Compressive Strength of Sandwich Constructions |
| ASTM D6641 | Compression testing – Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials Using a Combined Loading Compression (CLC) Test Fixture |
| ASTM C365 | Compression testing – Standard Test Method for Flatwise Compressive Properties of Sandwich Cores |
| ASTM D6484 | Compression testing – Standard Test Method for Open-Hole Compressive Strength of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates |
| ASTM D1621 | Compression testing – Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics |
| SACMA 1R-94 | Compression testing – Compressive Properties of Oriented Fiber-Resin Composites |
| ASTM D 7078 | Shear testing – Standard Test Method for Shear Properties of Composite Materials by V-Notched Rail Shear Method |
| DIN EN ISO 14129 | Shear testing – Fibre-reinforced plastic composites – Determination of the in-plane shear stress/shear strain reponse, including the in-plane schear modulus and strength, by ± 45° tension test method |
| ASTM D 3846 | Shear testing – Standard Test Method for In-Plane Shear Strength of Reinforced Plastics |
| AITM 1-0002 | Shear testing – AITM Airbus Test Method – Fibre Reinforced Plastics Determination of in-plain shear properties (±45 ° tensile test) |
| ASTM C273 | Shear testing – Standard Test Method for Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials |
| DIN 53294 | Shear testing – Testing of sandwiches; Shear test |
| ISO 1922 | Shear testing – Rigid cellular plastics – Determination of shear properties |
| ASTM D3528 | Shear testing – Standard Test Method for Strength Properties of Double Lap Shear Adhesive Joints by Tension Loading |
| DIN EN 1465 | Shear testing – Adhesives – Determination of tensile lap-shear strength of bonded assemblies |
| ISO 4587 | Shear testing – Adhesives – Determination of tensile lap-shear strength of rigid-to-rigid bonded assemblies |
| DIN EN 6031 | Shear testing – Fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of in-plane shear properties (± 45° tensile test) |
| AITM 1-0065 | Shear testing – Fiber reinforced plastics Determination of joint strength of mechanically fastened joints |
| DIN 65466 | Shear testing – Aerospace – Fibre reinforced plastics – Testing of unidirectional laminates; Determination of shear strength and shear modulus in tension |
| DIN EN ISO 527-1 | Tension testing – Plastics – Determination of tensile properties – Part 1: General principles |
| DIN EN ISO 527-2 | Tension testing – Plastics – Determination of tensile properties – Part 2: Test conditions for moulding and extrusion plastics |
| DIN EN ISO 527-3 | Tension testing – Plastics – Determination of tensile properties – Part 3: Test conditions for films and sheets |
| DIN EN ISO 527-4 | Tension testing – Plastics – Determination of tensile properties – Part 4: Test conditions for isotropic and anisotropic fibre-reinforced plastic composites |
| DIN EN ISO 527-5 | Tension testing – Plastics – Determination of tensile properties – Part 5: Test conditions for unidirectional fibre-reinforced plastic composites |
| DIN EN 2561 | Tension testing – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre reinforced plastics – Unidirectional laminates – Tensile test parallel to the fibre direction |
| T/B314/15/03 | Tension testing – Determination of tensile properties of materials with high laminate thickness |
| DIN EN 2597 | Tension testing – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre reinforced plastics; unidirectional laminates – Tensile test perpendicular to the fibre direction |
| AITM 1-0007 | Tension testing – AITM Airbus Test Method – Fibre Reinforced Plastics – Determination of Plain, Open Hole and Filled Hole Tensile Strength |
| ASTM D3039 | Tension testing – Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials |
| DIN EN 1607 | Tension testing – Thermal insulating products for building applications – Determination of tensile strength perpendicular to faces |
| ASTM C 297 | Tension testing – Standard Test Method for Flatwise Tensile Strength of Sandwich Constructions |
| ASTM D 1623 | Tension testing – Standard Test Method for Tensile and Tensile Adhesion Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics |
| ISO 1926 | Tension testing – Rigid cellular plastics – Determination of tensile properties |
| DIN 65382 | Tension testing – Aerospace; reinforcement fibres for plastics; tensile test of impregnated yarn test specimens |
| DIN EN ISO 9163 | Tension testing – Textile glass – Rovings – Manufacture of test specimens and determination of tensile strength of impregnated rovings |
| DIN EN ISO 10618 | Tension testing – Carbon fibre – Determination of tensile properties of resin-impregnated yarn |
| ASTM D 2343 | Tension testing – Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Glass Fiber Strands, Yarns, and Rovings Used in Reinforced Plastics |
| DIN EN 2243-4 | Tension testing – Aerospace series – Non-metallic materials – Structural adhesives – Test method – Part 4: Metal-honeycomb core flatwise tensile test |
| AITM 1-0025 | Tension testing – AITM Airbus Test Method – Fibre Reinforced Plastics Flatwise tensile test of composite sandwich panel |
| ASTM D638 | Tension testing – Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics |
| ASD-STAN prEN 6066 P1 | Tension testing – Fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of tensile strength of a tapered and stepped joints |
| ASTM D5766 | Tension testing – Standard Test Method for Open-Hole Tensile Strength of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates |
| DIN DIN 53292 | Tension testing – Testing of sandwiches; Tensile test perpendicular to the faces |
| DIN EN 6035 | Tension testing – Aerospace series – Fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of notched and unnotched tensile strength |
| DIN EN ISO 14125 | Flexural testing – bre-reinforced plastic composites – Determination of flexural properties |
| DIN EN 2562 | Flexural testing – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre reinforced plastics – Unidirectional laminates; flexural test parallel to the fibre direction |
| DIN EN ISO 178 | Flexural testing – Plastics – Determination of flexural properties |
| ASTM C393 | Flexural testing – Standard Test Method for Core Shear Properties of Sandwich Constructions by Beam Flexure |
| DIN 53293 | Flexural testing – Testing of sandwiches; Bending test |
| ASTM D 6272 | Flexural testing – Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials by Four-Point Bending |
| AITM 1-0018 | Flexural testing – AITM Airbus Test Method – Fibre Reinforced Plastics Sandwich flexural test 4-point bending |
| ASTM D790 | Flexural testing – Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials |
| ASTM D7264 | Flexural testing – Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials |
| DIN EN 310 | Flexural testing – Wood-based panels; determination of modulus of elasticity in bending and of bending strength |
| DIN EN 13706-2 D | Flexural testing – Reinforced plastic composites – Specifications for pultruded profiles – Part 2: Methods of test and general requirements |
| AITM 1-0069 | Flexural testing – Fibre Reinforced Plastics – Determination of curved-beam failure load |
| DIN EN ISO 14130 | Shear testing – Fibre reinforced plastic composites – Determination of apparent interlaminar shear strength by short beam-method |
| DIN EN 2563 | Shear testing – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre reinforced plastics – Unidirectional laminates; determination of apparent interlaminar shear strength |
| ASD-STAN prEN 6060 | Shear testing – Fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of the tensile single lap shear strength |
| AITM 1-0019 | Shear testing – AITM Airbus Test Method Determination of tensile lap shear strength of Composite Joints |
| DIN EN 2243-1 | Shear testing – Aerospace series – Non-metallic materials – Structural adhesives – Test method – Part 1: Single lap shear |
| DIN 65148 | Shear testing – Aerospace; testing of fibre-reinforced plastics; determination of interlaminar shear strength by tenside test |
| DIN 53255 | Shear testing – Testing of wood adhesives and glued wood joints; shear and delamination tests for determining the failing strength of plywood bonds (plywood and coreboard) |
| DIN EN 2377 | Shear testing – Aerospace series; glass fibre reinforced plastics; test method; determination of apparent interlaminar shear strength |
| AITM 1-0065 | Shear testing – Fiber reinforced plastics Determination of joint strength of mechanically fastened joints |
| ASTM D2344 | Shear testing – Standard Test Method for Short-Beam Strength of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials and Their Laminates |
| DIN EN ISO 11339 | Peel testing – Adhesives – T-peel test for flexible-to-flexible bonded assemblies |
| DIN EN 2243-2 | Peel testing – Aerospace series – Non-metallic materials – Structural adhesives – Test method – Part 2: Peel metal-metal |
| DIN EN 2243-3 | Peel testing – Aerospace series – Non-metallic materials – Structural adhesives – Test method – Part 3: Peeling test metal-honeycomb core |
| ASTM E 2004 | Peel testing – Standard Test Method for Facing Cleavage of Sandwich Panels |
| ASTM D3167 | Peel testing – Standard Test Method for Floating Roller Peel Resistance of Adhesives |
| DIN 53295 | Schälprüfung – Testing of sandwiches; Peel test by means of a drum |
| ISO 4578 | Peel testing – Adhesives – Determination of peel resistance of high-strength adhesive bonds – Floating-roller method |
| ASTM D1781 | Peel testing – Standard Test Method for Climbing Drum Peel for Adhesives |
| ISO 15024 | Determination of fracture toughness energy – Fibre-reinforced plastic composites – Determination of Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, GIC, for unidirectionally reinforced materials |
| ISO 25217 | Determination of fracture toughness energy – Adhesives – Determination of the mode 1 adhesive fracture energy of structural adhesive joints using double cantilever beam and tapered double cantilever beam specimens |
| ASTM D 5528 | Determination of fracture toughness energy – Standard Test Method for Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites |
| DIN EN 6033 | Determination of fracture toughness energy – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of interlaminar fracture toughness energy – Mode I – GIC |
| DIN EN 6034 | Determination of fracture toughness energy – Aerospace series – Carbon fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of interlaminar fracture toughness energy – Mode II – G[IIC] |
| AITM 1-0005 | Determination of fracture toughness energy – Determination of mode I fracture toughness energy |
| AITM 1-0053 | Determination of fracture toughness energy – Determination of mode I fracture toughness Energy of bonded Joints (G1C Test) |
| ASTM D 7905 | Determination of fracture toughness energy – Standard Test Method for Determination of the Mode II Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites |
| T/B1/03 | Determination of fracture toughness energy – Technical Note – Validation of the use of crack measurement strips to determine the energy release rate |
| AITM 1-0009 | Bolts load capacity – AITM Airbus Test Method – Fibre Reinforced Plastics Determination of Bearing Strength by either Pin or Bolt Bearing Configuration |
| DIN EN 13706-2 E | Bolts load capacity – Reinforced plastic composites – Specifications for pultruded profiles – Part 2: Test methods and general requirements |
| DIN 65562 | Bolts load capacity – Aerospace; fibre reinforced plastics; testing of multidirectional laminates; determination of bearing strength |
| DIN EN 6037 | Bolts load capacity – Aerospace series – Fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of bearing strength |
| DIN 6038 | Impact testing – Aerospace series – Fibre reinforced plastics – Test method – Determination of the compression strength after impact |
| AITM 1-0010 | Impact testing – Determination of Compression Strength After Impact |
| ASTM D7136 | Impact testing – Standard Test Method for Measuring the Damage Resistance of a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite to a Drop-Weight Impact Event |
| ASTM D7137 | Impact testing – Standard Test Method for Compressive Residual Strength Properties of Damaged Polymer Matrix Composite Plates |
| DIN 65561 | Impact testing – Aerospace; fibre reinforced plastics; testing of multidirectional laminates; determination of compressive strength after impact test |
| ISO 18352 | Impact testing – Carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics – Determination of compression-after-impact properties at a specified impact-energy level |
| DIN EN 14509 | Product specific test method – Self-supporting double skin metal faced insulating panels – Factory made products – Specifications |
| DIN EN 13706-1 | Product specific test method – Reinforced plastic composites – Specification for pultruded profiles – Part 1: Designation |
| DIN EN 13706-2 | Product specific test method – Reinforced plastic composites – Specifications for pultruded profiles – Part 2: Methods of test and general requirements |
| DIN EN 13706-3 | Product specific test method – Reinforced plastic composites – Specifications for pultruded profiles – Part 3: Specific requirements |
| DIN 18807-9 | Product specific test method – Trapezoidal profiles in building construction – Part 9: Aluminum trapezoidal profiles and their connections; Application and construction |
| DIN EN 1090-4 | Product specific test method – Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures – Part 4: Technical requirements for cold-formed structural steel elements and cold-formed structures for roof, ceiling, floor and wall applications |
| DIN EN 1090-5 | Product specific test method – Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures – Part 5: Technical requirements for cold-formed structural aluminium elements and cold-formed structures for roof, ceiling, floor and wall applications |
Tensile Test 
Bending Test 
ILSS Test 
Tensile Test 
Material Tests on Core Material 
Fracture Toughness Test
Material Fatigue tests
The cyclic testing methods require a high degree of expertise, as the versatile characteristics of this material group must be considered during the test. There is still a lack of recognised standards in this testing field. Our experts will be pleased to implement various tests for you.
Test spectrum
- Load range: 0.5 N – 2 MN
- Force, path or elongation controlled stresses
- Elongation and temperature measurements
- In-situ crack documentation (visual)
- Evaluation of Wöhler curves
- Fatigue testing under climatic influence:
- High temperature: +180 °C
- Climatic conditions: maximum 85 °C and 85% relative humidity
- Low temperature: -60 °C
Geometries and methods for fatigue tests
- Special double-sided waisted geometry for UD testing (IMA UDFA, IMA-up-UDFA)
- G1c, G2c Testing
- Buckling restraints for pressure load
- Geometries accepted by DNV GL
- Components and structures (e.g. rotor blade root element Connections)
Test procedures
| Standard | Title |
| RHV-testing | Cyclic testing – Cyclic tension-compression alternating test on laminates reinforced with ± 45 ° – Guidelines for proving the recognition of resin-matrix composite systems in the field of manufacture and maintenance of gliders and motor gliders (RHV), Luftfahrt-Bundesamt |
| T/B369/09/02 | Cyclic testing – Technical Information – Vibration test according to the IMA-UDFA test method on unidirectional fiber-reinforced plastics |
| ISO 13003 | Cyclic testing – Fibre-reinforced plastics – Determination of fatigue properties under cyclic loading conditions |
| T/B1/02 | Cyclic testing – Technical Note – Validation IMA-up UDFA test procedures |
| ASTM D3479 | Cyclic testing – Standard Test Method for Tension-Tension Fatigue of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials |
Laboratory Material Fatigue 
Fatigue Bending Test 
Fatigue Compression Test with Strain Measurement 
Fatigue Test 
Fatigue Test under Elevated Temperature
Material creep tests
Components made of fibre-reinforced plastic should be designed to ensure long-term exposure. Material information regarding the behaviour of the component under long-term effects during static loading is therefore required. We implement these long-term tests under different loads as dependent on the temperature and media exposure.
Test spectrum
- Time-status creep testing
- Time-status breakage testing
- Type of load: Tension, pressure, thrust
- Load range: 0.1 N – 20 kN
- Extrapolation
- Creep testing under temperature and media influences:
- Time-status testing with media load (aggressive liquids)
- Combined creep loading (temperature and media)
- Time-status testing with exposure to high temperatures (-30 °C to 150 °C)
Test procedures
| Standard | Title |
| DIN EN ISO 899-1 | Longtime testing – Plastics – Determination of creep behaviour – Part 1: Tensile creep (ISO 899-1:2003 + Amd.1:2015) |
| DIN EN ISO 899-2 | Longtime testing – Plastics – Determination of creep behaviour – Part 2: Flexural creep by three-point loading |
| IMA-PV B/1 | Longtime testing – IMA test specification – Creep bending test with four point load |
| IMA-PV B/2 | Longtime testing – IMA test specification – planning, execution and evaluation of creep tests on plastics in tension, compression and bending |
| ASTM D 2990 – 09 | Longtime testing – Standard Test Methods for Tensile, Compressive, and Flexural Creep and Creep-Rupture of Plastics |
Preparing Laminates and specimen
Our laboratory can provide a wide range of various possibilities for the production of test laminates: from rovings, textile semi-finished products and resin systems. Benefit from our vast experience in the field of laminate production with vacuum infusion, RTM, thermoplastic processing and in the winding process. We will manufacture high-quality test bodies from the test laminates in accordance with national and international testing standards.
Manufacturing laminate:
- Vacuum infusion process
- Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)
- Pre-impregnated processing
- Thermoplastic processing
- Winding process
- Thread impregnation
Manufacturing specimen:
- Sawing
- Drilling
- CNC milling
- Application of force transmission elements (cap strips)
- Water jet cutting
Test procedures
| Standard | Title |
| DIN EN 13473-1 | Reinforcement – Specifications for multi-axial multi-ply fabrics – Part 1: Designation |
| DIN EN ISO 2818 | Plastics – Preparation of test specimens by machining |
| ASTM D5687 | Standard Guide for Preparation of Flat Composite Panels with Processing Guidelines for Specimen Preparation |
Laminate and Sample Production 
Hydraulic Press for Thermoplastic Tapes 
Laminate and Sample Production 
Specimen Machining 
Water Jet Cutting 
Laminate and Sample Production
Monitoring and Certification for Construction Products
Fibre-reinforced plastics have been utilised successfully in the construction industry for many years. Special requirements hereby apply for this field of application with regard to the monitoring and certification of the materials.
IMA Dresden is an approved testing, monitoring and certification body (PÜZ) at the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) and can be also assume the monitoring and approval procedures within the framework of an approval in individual cases in addition to the necessary testing for the material.
This includes:
- Manufacturer monitoring (initial monitoring, control monitoring)
- Assembly monitoring
- Creating a certificate of compliance (CC)
Further information can be found on our site “Construction products“.
Component development
Are you looking for lightweight construction solutions with the highest efficiency? Take advantage of the almost limitless possibilities of fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP), such as e.g. high weight-specific strength, wide design freedom and freely adaptable material characteristics.
We can provide individual, tailor-made advice for implementing your ideas.
- Problem analysis
- Feasibility studies
- Material and technology consulting
- Project management
Concept Development
An idea develops into the concept. Commencing with basis of the specific requirements for a respective application case, we then develop fibre composite applicable solution proposals which are adapted to your demands.
- Compilation of technical specifications
- Developing design solutions
- Considering finished approaches
- Concept evaluation
- Optimising existing structures
Designing
The various, different concepts then result in detailed designs. We work with the following CAD systems during the designing process: Catia V5, Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD.
Simulation
Which stresses are the components subjected to? During the calculation and simulation of FRP structures, with their complex material characteristics, we rely on the utilisation of state-of-the-art simulation software, such as Ansys, Patran/Nastran, Abaqus and SimulationX.
We can draw on our many years of experience and our extensive knowledge in dealing with FRP materials for the detailed assessment of the simulation results.
Manufacturing prototypes
Our technical centre can implement the manufacturing process for prototypes and small serial production products according to your wishes.
- Manual lamination process
- Vacuum infusion procedure (RIM, VARIM, VAP)
- Injection procedure (RTM, VARTM)
- Pre-impregnation procedure
- Press procedure
- 5-Axis winding machine
In addition, we also work closely with various industry partners from FRP processing together to enable a seamless transition to serial production
Test
In order to inspect the the fail-safe functionality of the developed components under real time conditions, we create and implement customised component tests under operating conditions. Our range of services hereby includes, among others, the following:
- Material characterisation
- Static, cyclic and dynamic component trials
- Climatic and temperature tests
- Testing under the media influences
In addition, we also accompany and support you with our extensive testing experience during the approval and certification of your products.
Quality assurance
We can provide a wide range of test procedures for the detection of possible production errors and faults or for detailed investigation of the damage behaviour for FRP components.
- Ultrasound testing
- Eddy current test
- Magnaflux test
- Endoscopy
- Modal analysis
- Optical measuring systems (Aramis, pontos)
- Monitoring/consulting for quality assurance
Prototyping 
Test 
Test 
Quality Assurance 
Quality Assurance