As a leading manufacturer of FRP composites, Strongwell adheres to hundreds of engineering standards. One of the most used specifications in the plastics industry is ASTM D790. Our Editorial Team asked Bhyrav Mutnuri (Director of Research and Development) to share more about this standard and why it matters for engineers and designers on project design.

What is ASTM D790?

ASTM D790 (Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials) is a standard test method to determine the flexural properties of FRP composites. Using this standard, we can determine the flexural strength and flexural modulus (also called modulus of elasticity), which are critical to withstand bending loads and deflection. These two properties help designers choose the right kind of material for their application.

How is this test conducted?

In this test method, a small coupon of the material is taken and tested in bending as a simple beam supported at two points and loaded at the midpoint. The load and deflection due to the force applied at the midpoint are recorded during the test and those values are used to calculate the flexural strength and flexural modulus.

Why does it matter for pultrusion manufacturers to conduct this test?

This test method applies to testing unreinforced and reinforced plastics, including high-modulus composites and electrical insulating materials. The flexural properties are especially useful for quality control and specification purposes. Although many different composites or plastics may look the same, this test measures some of the performance characteristics critical for engineers to design structures.

Bhyrav Mutnuri (Director of Research and Development) joined Strongwell in 2018 as a Product Development Engineer. Today, he manages the daily operations of the lab, oversees all research and development efforts, and works closely with potential and existing customers to commercialize new custom products through the process of pultrusion.