Mechanical properties of coated materials and multi-layered composites determined using bending methods

Relationships are presented to analyse the mechanical properties of multi-layered composites from experimental data of bending tests permitting a calculation of the modulus of rupture (MOR) for the failure of a particular layer within the composite. The proposed equations can also be used to determine the unknown elastic modulus or thickness for a layer within a multi-layered composite, if the respective properties of all other layers are known. Special consideration is given to the influence of coatings on substrate fracture.