CARBON-FIBERS - STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

The fine structure of carbon fibres varies between the high strength a nd the high Young's modulus varieties based on detailed examination of X-ray and electron microscope studies. Techniques for measuring the t ensile properties of fibres and composites are well developed, but the same is not true for compressive properties. The latter seem to be mo re of a system property than a material property. The tensile and comp ressive properties can be correlated in part with fine structure param eters. In order to improve the tensile and especially the compressive properties of these fibres a controlled disorder of the layer plane st ructure must result in order to minimise crack initiation and provide a tortuous route for crack propagation.