ISO 18352:2009 specifies a method for determining the residual compression strength of multidirectional polymer matrix composite laminate plates that have been damaged by impact prior to the application of in-plane compressive loading.

The test method is suitable for continuous-fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites. Application of the method is limited to fibre-reinforced plastic laminates with multidirectional reinforcements manufactured from unidirectional prepreg tapes/fabrics or woven fabrics.

The test method is referred to as the compression-after-impact (CAI) test when used to determine the residual compression strength of an impacted plate. It can be used to obtain data for material specification, material evaluation, research and development, or construction of a composite database.