CARBON-FIBERS - STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

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