EN 2377 is an aerospace-series test method for determining the apparent interlaminar shear strength of textile glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) made in sheet form. It is commonly used to evaluate ply-to-ply (interlaminar) performance where delamination-type shear failure is a key concern.
If you need help determining whether EN 2377 is the right method for your laminate form, thickness range, or acceptance plan, you can talk with our team about the standard’s typical setup and deliverables.
EN 2377: Aerospace series — Glass fibre reinforced plastics — Test method — Determination of apparent interlaminar shear strength
EN 2377 is used in aerospace composite testing programs to characterize apparent interlaminar shear strength using a delamination-driven loading condition. The method is typically applied to textile glass fibre reinforced plastic laminates produced as sheet material for aerospace use.
Quick Definition
What it is: A standardized lab test method for measuring apparent interlaminar shear strength of textile GFRP sheet laminates.
What it indicates: A comparative strength value associated with interlaminar shear/delamination-type failure under a short-span bending style loading condition.
Common use: Material screening and quality control checks for glass-fibre composite laminates used in aerospace structures and components.
What This Standard Covers
EN 2377 defines a method to determine apparent interlaminar shear strength by delamination for textile glass fibre reinforced plastics produced in sheet form for aerospace use. In practice, the test is commonly executed as a short-span, three-point bending style loading arrangement intended to promote interlaminar shear failure rather than conventional flexural strength failure.
Because the result is described as “apparent” interlaminar shear strength, it is typically treated as a method-specific property that depends on the prescribed specimen form and loading configuration in the standard.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Interlaminar shear performance is often a controlling weakness in laminated composites because the interlaminar region is sensitive to resin quality, fibre architecture, void content, curing conditions, and environmental conditioning. EN 2377 provides a common way to generate a comparable strength value for incoming material qualification, process control, and lot-to-lot verification.
For aerospace supply chains, this type of test can support consistent decision-making when comparing laminate builds or monitoring manufacturing variation, especially where delamination resistance is tied to performance margins.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
EN 2377 is most commonly associated with:
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Textile glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) laminates produced in sheet form
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Aerospace composite panels and sheet-derived test coupons
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Material control testing where interlaminar shear/delamination behavior is monitored as a quality indicator
Common Test or Verification Workflow
A typical EN 2377 workflow follows the standard’s prescribed approach for specimen preparation, conditioning, loading, and calculation/reporting.
Common workflow elements: Prepare coupons from sheet laminate, condition per referenced requirements where applicable, load a simply supported specimen in a three-point bending style fixture at short span, continue loading until interlaminar shear-type failure occurs, then calculate and report apparent interlaminar shear strength in the standard’s required format.
Practical note for labs: The fixture geometry, alignment, and consistent specimen placement are central to repeatability, because the method is designed to drive a particular failure mode rather than general flexural strength.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
EN 2377 is commonly run on a universal testing machine (electromechanical or servo-hydraulic) with a three-point bend style fixture suitable for short-span testing. The system is typically configured for monotonic loading with appropriate force capacity and data acquisition for force and crosshead displacement (and any additional measurements required by the user’s test plan).
Common equipment path: Universal testing machine, three-point bend fixture/supports and loading nose, calibrated load cell, specimen centering/positioning aids, and test software for method control and calculations.
If you are selecting a load frame capacity, fixture size, or environmental conditioning approach for this method, you can request pricing and configuration options matched to your specimen dimensions and throughput targets.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
Core designation: “EN 2377” is the European Norm designation for this aerospace-series test method.
National adoptions: You may see national prefixes such as DIN EN 2377 (Germany) or BS EN 2377 (United Kingdom). These typically indicate an identical adoption of the EN document under a national standards body.
Revision sensitivity: Test setup details, conditioning references, and reporting expectations can depend on the exact cited edition (and any national publication date suffix). Match your customer or program requirement to the correct dated issue before finalizing fixtures, spans, or reporting templates.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
EN 2377 is often used alongside other aerospace composite standards that govern conditioning and test panel preparation for glass-fibre composite materials.
Commonly associated references: EN 62 (standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing of glass reinforced plastics) and EN 2374 (production of test panels for glass fibre reinforced mouldings and sandwich composites).
Talk to a test equipment specialist
If you need a system quotation for EN 2377 testing—including fixture selection, force range, and optional conditioning support—send your specimen thickness/width targets and expected load range and request a detailed quote.