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Strain Gage Measurements on Plastics and Composites

Some Practical Considerations

Obviously, specific procedures and techniques appropriate to a particular strain-measurement problem must be dictated by the nature of the problem itself -- that is, by the test object and its material; the purpose, duration, and environment of the test; the required accuracy; and other constraints typical of this activity. When planning to make strain gage measurements on plastics or composites, the stress analyst should turn first, of course, to the recommendations of the gage manufacturer -- not only for gage type and adhesive, but also for preferred installation procedures such as surface preparation, bonding, wiring, and environmental protection. Because of the unusual problems sometimes involved in testing plastic-based materials, it is good practice to experimentally verify the adequacy of a procedure (and the achievable accuracy) before proceeding with actual strain measurement. Given in the following are brief guidelines for dealing with a few of the more prominent special requirements apt to be encountered in static strain measurement on plastics and composites. Many others (e.g., for interlaminar gage installations) are too detailed or application-specific for inclusion in the present treatment.
    Strain Gage Selection
 
    Surface Preparation
 
    Adhesive Selection
 
    Gage Installation
 
    Treatment of Strain Data


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