This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: B769 − 11 (Reapproved 2021)

Standard Test Method for

Shear Testing of Aluminum Alloys1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B769; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope Determine the Precision of a Test Method

1.1 This test method covers double-shear testing of wrought 3. Terminology
and cast aluminum products to determine shear ultimate
strengths. 3.1 The definitions of terms relating to shear testing in
Terminology E6 are applicable to the terms used in this test
NOTE 1—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the method.
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information
only. 4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.1 This test method consists of subjecting a machined
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the cylindrical test specimen to double-shear loading in a test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- fixture using a tension (or compression) testing machine to
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- determine the shear stress required to fracture the specimen,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. that is, the shear strength.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
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5. Significance and Use
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.1 The intent of this method is to provide a means of

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Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
measuring the ultimate shear strength of aluminum-alloy
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
wrought and cast products. Data obtained by this method are
used to calculate minimum properties that can be utilized in the

2. Referenced Documents
Document Preview
design of structural members such as found in aircraft. It is
recognized that loading conditions developed by this method,
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on the and by most others, are not ideal in that they do not strictly
date of material purchase, unless otherwise notedASTM B769-11(2021)
form a part of satisfy the definition of pure shear. However, rarely do pure
this specification to the extent referenced herein: shear conditions exist in structures.
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2.2 ASTM Standards:2 NOTE 2—This method is not interchangeable with that described in Test
B565 Test Method for Shear Testing of Aluminum and Method B565. Shear strengths obtained by Test Method B565 are about
10 % lower than those developed by this test method.
Aluminum-Alloy Rivets and Cold-Heading Wire and
Rods 5.2 The presence of a lubricant on the surface of the
E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Test- specimen and fixture may result in shear strengths up to 3 %
ing Machines lower than those determined in the absence of lubrication (see
E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing 8.1 and Test Method B565).
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in 6. Apparatus
ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to 6.1 Testing Machines—The testing machines shall conform
to the requirements of Practices E4. The loads used to
determine the shear strength shall be within the loading range
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B07 on Light of the testing machine as defined in Practices E4.
Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B07.05 on 6.2 Loading Device:
Testing.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2021. Published December 2021. Originally 6.2.1 The loading device shall be a double-shear test fixture
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as B769 – 11 (2016). of the type shown in Fig. 1. The fixture shall be made of tool
DOI: 10.1520/B0769-11R21.
2
steel having a Rockwell hardness from 60 to 62 HRC. A
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
suitable alternative is to use a lower-strength steel for the main
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on frame of the fixture and have only the steel inserts hardened
the ASTM website. from 60 to 62 HRC.

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 B769 − 11 (2021)

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FIG. 1 Three Views of Amsler Shear Tool

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6.2.2 The shearing edges of the holes shall have a radius of 7. Test Specimens
Document
the center and outside dies shall have a finish of 16 µin. Preview
no more than 0.0005 in. (0.013 mm). The mating surfaces of 7.1 The minimum length of the cylindrical specimens shall
be equal to the combined lengths of the three dies in accor-
(0.4 µm) Ra or less. There shall be sufficient clearances dance with 6.2.3.
between the die interfaces to ensure that no binding occurs;
clearance should not exceed 0.002 in. (0.051 mm). ASTM B769-11(2021)
7.2 The minimum specimen size shall be 3⁄16 in. (4.76 mm)
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Consequently, the rigidity of the test fixture must be such that in diameter. The 0.375-in. (9.52-mm) diameter specimen is a
this clearance is maintained throughout the test; in instances commonly used size, but up to 0.500-in. (12.7-mm) diameter
where the device is loaded in compression as in Fig. 1, care specimens have been used.
must be taken to ensure there is no binding between the dies at 7.3 Measurements of the specimen diameter shall be made
the interfaces during the test. to the nearest 0.0005 in. (0.013 mm). Measurements are to be
6.2.3 The nominal length of the center and outside dies of made at the two shear planes; the average of the two diameters
the tool shown in Fig. 1 is 1 in. (25.4 mm). It has been will be used to calculate the specimen cross-sectional area.
demonstrated that die lengths of 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) for 3⁄8-in. 7.4 The maximum clearance between the specimen diam-
(9.52 mm) diameter specimens give test results comparable to eter and the test-hole diameter shall not exceed 0.0015 in.
3
dies 1 in. in length. The initial minimum length of any one die (0.038 mm).
shall be 0.5 in. (12.7 mm) for specimens up through 0.375 in.
(9.52 mm) in diameter. The minimum die lengths for speci- 7.5 The finish shall be 32 µin. (0.8 µm) Ra or less.
mens greater than 0.375 in. in diameter should be kept in about
the same proportion as that of the 0.375-in. diameter specimen; 8. Specimen Orientation and Direction
that is, die length/specimen diameter equal to ⁄3 . As a result of
4
8.1 The shear strength of an aluminum material usually
sharpening, dies shall be replaced when lengths are less than depends on the specimen orientation and the direction in which
95 % of the original lengths. the load is applied relative to the grain flow in the specimen.3
NOTE 3—The specimen should not be restrained by clamping circum- The specimen orientation and the loading direction should be
ferentially or end loading during the test. identified by the following systems:
8.1.1 The reference directions for rectangular shapes are
indicated in Fig. 2; these are suitable for plate, extrusions,
3
forgings and other shapes of nonsymmetrical grain flow.
Davies, R. E., and Kaufman, J. G., “Effects of Test Method and Specimen
Orientation on Shear Strengths of Aluminum Alloys,” Proceedings, ASTM, Vol 64, 8.1.2 The reference directions for certain cylindrical shapes
1964. where the longitudinal axis is the predominate grain flow are

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 B769 − 11 (2021)

FIG. 2 Grain Orientations and Loading Directions for Shear Specimens from Rectangular Shapes

indicated in Fig. 3. The terminology in Fig. 3 is applicable to 9.2 Place the specimen in a test fixture of the type shown in
rolled, drawn, extruded or forged round rod. Fig. 1.
8.2 The two-letter code is used in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 to 9.3 The cross-head speed of the testing machine shall not
describe the specimen orientations and loading directions. The exceed 0.75 in./min (19.1 mm/min) and the loading rate shall
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first letter designates the grain orientation normal to the shear
plane. The second letter designates the direction of loading.
not exceed 100 ksi/min (689 MPa/min) on the double-shear
cross section. Loading rate to failure should be uniform.

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The most commonly used specimen orientations and loading
directions are L-S, T-S and S-L for shapes in 8.1.1 and L-R, C-R
9.4 Determine the maximum load to fracture the specimen.
9.5 The mating surfaces of the shear dies should be visually
Document
line shown in Fig. Preview
and R-L for cylindrical shapes in 8.1.2.
inspected before use for aluminum buildup around the test
8.3 Some type of mark, such as a scribed holes. Removal of the aluminum can be accomplished with
2 and Fig. 3, is necessary to indicate the orientation of the crocus cloth or soaking the dies in a caustic soda solution
specimen relative to a reference surface of the material. followed by a water rinse and drying.
ASTM B769-11(2021)
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9. Procedure 10. Calculation
9.1 Clean the specimen and dies with a suitable solvent such 10.1 Calculate the shear strength from the maximum load as
as acetone for removal of lubrication. follows:

FIG. 3 Grain Orientations and Loading Directions for Shear Specimens from Cylindrical Shapes