This International Standard specifies a method for determining the flexural properties of fibre-reinforced plastic composites under three-point (Method A) and four-point (Method B) loading. Standard test specimens are defined but parameters included for alternative specimen sizes for use where appropriate. A range of test speeds is included.

The method is not suitable for the determination of design parameters, but may be used for screening materials, or as a quality-control test.

The method is suitable for fibre-reinforced thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic composites. Unreinforced and particle-filled plastics and plastics reinforced with short (i.e. less than 1 mm length) fibres are covered by ISO 178.

The method is performed using specimens which may be moulded to the chosen dimensions, machined from the central portion of the standard multi-purpose test specimen (see ISO 3167) or machined from semi-finished or finished products such as mouldings or laminates.

The method specifies preferred dimensions for the specimen. Tests which are carried out on specimens of other dimensions, or on specimens which are prepared under different conditions, may produce results which are not comparable. Other factors, such as the speed of testing and the conditioning of the specimens can influence the results. For materials which are not homogeneous through the section, or above the linear-elastic response region, the result applies only to the thickness and structure tested. Consequently, when comparative data are required, these factors must be carefully controlled and recorded.