Tensile test technique for composites using small notched specimens

Development of small specimen test techniques is one of the key issues for irradiation studies. This study primarily aims to develop a new tensile test method using small notched tensile specimens. For that purpose, the crack extension behavior of the notched tensile specimens was first evaluated. Observing the crack propagation behavior, the apparent notch insensitivity of the axial tensile properties was identified. Due to the notch insensitivity, it was found that the key tensile properties such as the proportional limit stress and ultimate tensile strength can easily be predicted from the test results on the notched specimens. In contrast, for the off-axial tensile tests, the apparent notch sensitivity was identified. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.