AITM 1-0002 is an Airbus Test Method used to determine in-plane shear properties of fibre-reinforced plastics using a ±45° tensile test configuration. It is commonly referenced in aerospace composite material qualification and supplier verification programs where shear behavior in the laminate plane must be characterized.
If you need help mapping AITM 1-0002 to your laminate form, strain measurement approach, or reporting expectations for a specific Airbus program, contact our team and we’ll help you scope a practical, standards-aligned test setup.
AITM 1-0002 — Fibre reinforced plastics: determination of in-plane shear properties (±45° tensile test)
AITM 1-0002 is used when a tensile test on a ±45° laminate is selected as the basis for deriving in-plane shear response for fibre-reinforced polymer composites. In practice, this method is often used alongside other composite mechanical tests to support material allowables, process qualification, and ongoing production verification.
Quick definition
Standard focus: In-plane shear properties of fibre-reinforced plastics derived from a ±45° tensile test.
Common use: Aerospace composite material qualification and supplier conformance testing where Airbus-specific methods are contractually referenced.
Test type: Mechanical test method (tensile loading used to evaluate in-plane shear behavior).
What This Standard Covers
AITM 1-0002 covers determination of in-plane shear properties for fibre-reinforced plastics using a laminate layup oriented at approximately ±45° and loaded in tension. The intent is to generate shear-related properties from measured force and strain response during tensile loading.
Because the method relies on the relationship between tensile loading and shear deformation in the laminate, instrumentation and data reduction expectations can be sensitive to the exact edition of the document and any program-specific requirements that cite it.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
In-plane shear properties are frequently used in laminate design, joint/attachment analysis, and simulation inputs for composite structures. AITM 1-0002 provides a program-recognized way to generate these properties using a tensile test setup, which is often more accessible for production labs than specialized shear fixtures.
For buyers and lab managers, the main practical impact is on strain measurement capability, gripping/alignment quality, and software support for the required calculations and reporting outputs.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
AITM 1-0002 is typically applied to aerospace fibre-reinforced polymer composites, including:
- Carbon fiber/epoxy and glass fiber/epoxy laminates
- Unidirectional and fabric-reinforced laminates (when a ±45° laminate configuration is produced for the test)
- Qualification panels and production-representative coupons used for release, verification, or comparative studies
Material form, thickness, and laminate construction details are usually controlled by the controlling specification, drawing, or test plan that calls up AITM 1-0002.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
AITM 1-0002 is commonly used in workflows such as material qualification, process change validation, supplier first article testing, and periodic mechanical property verification.
Typical workflow steps: Prepare ±45° coupons from a controlled laminate panel, condition specimens as required by the program or material specification, run tensile loading with appropriate strain measurement, then report derived in-plane shear properties and any required supporting results.
When this method is invoked contractually, labs typically treat the cited edition and any customer deviations as controlling, including requirements for strain measurement approach and reporting format.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
AITM 1-0002 is executed on a tensile test platform, with extra attention to strain measurement and alignment.
Common equipment: Universal testing machine (UTM) with tensile load cell, appropriate composite grips (to minimize slippage and tab damage), and test control/software suitable for composites tensile work.
Common instrumentation: An extensometer or strain measurement system suitable for composite coupons (the exact strain measurement method depends on the AITM 1-0002 edition and any program-specific requirements).
Practical selection cautions: Gripping quality and repeatable axial alignment matter more than raw force capacity. Also confirm your data system can capture the required channels and support the calculation/reporting outputs expected by the calling Airbus program.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
Designation: “AITM 1-0002” identifies a specific Airbus Test Method for in-plane shear properties using a ±45° tensile approach.
Revision sensitivity: Test setup details and reporting expectations can vary by edition and by the controlling customer document that cites the method. When AITM 1-0002 is specified on a drawing, material specification, or qualification plan, match the exact cited issue/date and any stated deviations before finalizing fixtures and instrumentation.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks when useful
In-plane shear via ±45° tensile testing is also addressed in other aerospace and composites standards families. When cross-referencing methods, treat the Airbus-cited AITM document (and its edition) as the controlling requirement for acceptance testing unless your customer explicitly allows substitution.
Get help configuring an AITM 1-0002 test setup
If you are equipping a lab for composite tensile testing and need a configuration that can support AITM 1-0002 (grips, strain measurement, and software/reporting), you can request a detailed quote with your force range, specimen geometry, and any Airbus program constraints.