"Our laboratory is a European leader in the characterisation and validation of fibre-reinforced polymer composites"
FRP composites: technical challenges and testing to ensure their reliability
TECNALIA’s physical and mechanical materials testing laboratory is a leading European centre for the characterisation and validation of FRP composites, providing solutions that enable the industry to design safer, more efficient and lasting components.
FRP (Fibre-Reinforced Polymers) composites have become consolidated as essential materials in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, marine and construction, thanks to their combination of polymer matrix with glass, carbon or aramid fibres, offering a strength-to-weight ratio that is difficult to match.
However, its growing use has also raised technical challenges that require advanced research and highly specialised testing.
Key challenges facing FRP composites
- Despite their versatility, FRP composites are subject to critical issues to a greater or lesser extent depending on the manufacturing method and the combination of fibre and resin used, such as: delamination and other manufacturing defects that compromise or reduce their strength; sensitivity to external factors (moisture, exposure to sunlight, extreme temperatures) that may compromise their durability; as well as other factors, such as resistance to impact or fatigue.
- Such performance, which can compromise structural integrity, requires a thorough understanding of the material and how it behaves under real service conditions.
The importance of validation in critical sectors
In sectors such as aerospace and the automotive industry, where safety is non-negotiable, anticipating these faults is key to validating designs and ensuring the reliability of components. It is also worth noting that they are difficult to recycle, which presents a technological challenge in which the industry is currently immersed.
Standardised tests for the characterisation of FRP composites
TECNALIA’s physical and mechanical materials testing laboratory, applies methodologies based on the main international standards, which are essential for comparing materials and certifying their performance:
- ASTM D3039 / ISO 527: standardise tensile testing procedures for a wide range of plastics and composites, enabling the strength, modulus and strain to be determined with a high degree of accuracy.
- ASTM D7264 / ISO 14125: sets out the procedure for three-point bending tests, which are essential to assess rigidity and resistance to bending.
- ISO 14126 / ASTM D695 / ASTM D3410 / ASTM D6641: , amongst other standards, characterise composite laminates under compressive stress, according to various loading scenarios
- ISO 14130 / ASTM D2344: test procedure, with different variants to determine a critical property in certain high-rigidity laminates, namely interlaminar shear strength.
These standards not only ensure that results are comparable, but also enable manufacturers to comply with the regulatory requirements of each sector.
TECNALIA testing and validation capacity
TECNALIA addresses these challenges through testing that includes static and dynamic characterisation, impact analysis, fatigue studies and verification of properties at different operating temperatures and after various types of ageing.
- Its state-of-the-art infrastructure and specialised team reproduce extreme conditions and collect reliable data for the design and optimisation of components.
- Furthermore, customised tests are designed and carried out, tailored to the customer’s use requirements, as well as tests on prototypes that are representative of the final component.
Expert knowledge for reliable decision-making
"FRP composites are extraordinary materials, but they are also complex. Their performance depends on a number of factors: the orientation of the fibres, the quality of the matrix, the manufacturing processes or operating conditions. "TECNALIA combines experience, advanced instrumentation and regulatory expertise to deliver results that enable our customers to make decisions with absolute confidence," explains Jorge Gayoso, a specialist in composite materials testing.
TECNALIA, a strategic partner in composite materials
As FRP composites continue to be used in more and more critical applications, the need for rigorous testing and expert knowledge becomes essential. TECNALIA, with its technical expertise and track record in advanced materials, has established itself as a strategic partner for companies seeking to innovate without compromising safety or performance.