Shear Testing

Access a comprehensive range of shear testing methods tailored to your specific material needs, whether you're developing new products or validating existing ones. Our specialized testing capabilities deliver precise performance data that helps you make informed decisions about material selection and design optimization. We adapt our testing approaches to address your unique requirements and industry standards.

• Single and double lap shear testing for adhesives
• In-plane shear testing for layered composites
• Short beam shear testing for interlaminar strength
• V-notch shear testing for directional strength evaluation
• Interlaminar shear strength testing (ASTM D2344)

Specialized composite testing expertise:
Unlike isotropic metals, composites exhibit highly directional shear properties not related to their tensile characteristics. Our composite testing experts help you navigate these complexities, selecting the optimal test method for your specific material structure and application requirements. We've tested thousands of composite specimens and understand the precision required in sample preparation and fixture alignment to obtain reliable results that accurately represent your material's true performance under real-world conditions.

Your critical components deserve thorough evaluation against real-world conditions. We test fasteners, adhesives, composite materials, metals, and plastics using industry-standard and custom methodologies. Our shear testing services are particularly valuable for applications where materials experience multi-directional forces in demanding environments. We specialize in both simple uniform materials and complex directional composites with the precision each requires.

• Fasteners and connectors
• Single and multi-layer adhesive bonds
• Composite laminates and structures
• Metal joints and welds
• Plastic components and assemblies

Address your most challenging materials performance questions with our versatile testing approaches that accommodate various material types and configurations. Our testing methods provide critical insights into how your materials behave under shear forces, helping you predict performance and prevent failures. We adapt our approach to match your specific application requirements and environmental conditions.

Element provides multiple shear testing methods tailored for different material types and applications, including:

Adhesive Shear Testing

• Single Lap Shear Testing: Evaluates a single adhesive layer between two bonded pieces. The pieces—typically metals, but also plastics or composites—are pulled in opposite directions until the adhesive fails.
• Double Lap Shear Testing: Similar to single lap shear testing, but with two adhesive layers. The adhesive is applied to both the top and bottom of a sample, with bonded pieces affixed on either side. These pieces are then pulled apart until both adhesive layers fail.

Composite Shear Testing

• In-Plane Shear Testing (ASTM D3518): Used for layered composite materials, this test measures how the material responds within the plane of lamination. It often involves pulling a specimen in tension using a ±45-degree layup. In addition to shear strength, it provides data on shear strain and elasticity. As testing progresses past 5% shear strain, results may deviate from shear loading because of the change in specimen geometry.
• Short Beam Shear Testing (ASTM D2344): This method bends a material using a short beam to estimate its interlaminar shear strength. This test is relatively easy to perform, making it ideal for quality control, screening, or evaluating environmental degradation effects such as fluid exposure or thermal cycling.
• V-Notch Shear Testing (ASTM D5379): A "V"-notched specimen is used to measure shear strength and modulus in all possible directions. The v-notched specimen can also be used for both in-plane and interlaminar shear tests.
• Interlaminar Shear Strength Testing (ASTM D2344, ASTM D3846, ISO 14130): Measures the shear strength between laminated layers by applying a load that causes the layers to slip past one another. This test evaluates the bonding quality of the resin or resin-fiber interface and is commonly used for quality control, screening, or assessing environmental effects like fluid exposure or thermal cycling.

Our laboratories are equipped with advanced testing instruments designed to deliver precise, reliable results that you can trust for critical decision-making. Our fixtures ensure proper alignment and loading, critical for accurate shear data across all material types. For composite testing, we utilize specialized equipment for proper specimen preparation and fixture alignment, ensuring the highest quality results for your most demanding applications and complex material structures.

Our team operates from Materials Testing hubs across the world, providing global access to our expert capabilities. Find your nearest Materials Testing hub on our Locations Page.