ISO 1268-6:2002

Overview

ISO 1268-6:2002 is an international standard specifying the pultrusion moulding method for producing fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) test plates. These test plates are essential for preparing test specimens that evaluate the mechanical and physical properties of laminates formed from various fibre-reinforced plastics. This part of ISO 1268 focuses on laminates made from thermosetting or thermoplastic resins reinforced with materials such as glass, carbon, or aramid fibres. It applies to reinforcements in all forms suitable for the pultrusion process, including continuous rovings, tows, mats, and fabrics.

The standard is designed to ensure the production of consistent, defect-free laminates that accurately reflect the properties of pultruded profiles used in industrial applications. It should be read alongside ISO 1268-1, which covers general conditions for producing test plates.

Key Topics

• Pultrusion Process: The unique process pulls reinforcements impregnated with resin through a heated forming die to produce continuous, flat strip test plates with controlled fibre content, orientation, and resin matrix characteristics.
• Material Compatibility: Works with both thermosetting and thermoplastic resins, reinforced with glass, carbon, or aramid fibres, either alone or in combination.
• Dimensions and Shape: The standard mandates the production of flat strip profiles of appropriate thickness and width to allow cutting of test specimens according to various test requirements.
• Reinforcement Content: Ensures sufficient fibre reinforcement to fill the die cavity completely, maintaining consistency with production profiles.
• Process Conditions: Emphasizes following resin supplier instructions to obtain defect-free, cured laminates, including the regulation of die temperature, pull speed, and possible post-curing or stabilization phases.
• Testing and Verification: Specifies measurement of fibre content according to ISO 1172 for glass fibres, visual void content assessment, and documenting process parameters and material composition in a test plate preparation report.

Applications

ISO 1268-6:2002 is widely applicable in industries that utilize fibre-reinforced plastic composites, particularly where pultruded profiles are used, such as:

• Aerospace and Automotive: For lightweight structural components requiring high strength-to-weight ratios.
• Construction: In structural elements and reinforcements where consistent laminate properties are critical.
• Electrical and Electronics: For insulation and structural parts where specific mechanical and thermal properties are mandatory.
• Marine and Transportation: Producing durable laminates with controlled properties for harsh environmental resistance.
• Research and Development: Comparing different resins, fibre types, and processing parameters by producing representative test plates that mimic production conditions.

Related Standards

• ISO 1268-1: General conditions for producing fibre-reinforced plastic test plates.
• ISO 1172: Determination of textile-glass fibre content in reinforced plastics by calcination methods.
• Other parts in the ISO 1268 series covering alternative moulding methods, such as spray-up (Part 2), compression moulding (Parts 3 and 8), filament winding (Part 5), resin transfer moulding (Part 7), and injection moulding of long-fibre compounds (Parts 10 and 11), offering comprehensive guidelines for producing various composite test plates.

Keywords: ISO 1268-6, pultrusion moulding, fibre-reinforced plastics, FRP test plates, thermosetting resin, thermoplastic resin, glass fibre, carbon fibre, aramid fibre, laminate test specimens, composite manufacturing standards, mechanical properties testing, fibre content verification