INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE INITIATION OF FAILURE MECHANISMS UNDER UNI-AXIAL COMPRESSIVE LOADING

摘要

Research was conducted to investigate the effects of material quality and specimen preparation on the failure mechanisms in unidirectional carbon fiber. The mechanical testing that was used was compressive; this followed the guidelines of the ASTM D 695 M [ASTM D 695 M, Standard test method for compressive properties of rigid plastics. http://www.astm.org] test method. Specimens conforming to this standard were produced with varying quality material. Optical and electron (SEM) microscopical techniques were used to assess initiation of failure and to quantify the damage encountered by the compressive test specimen. The findings correlate well with the mechanical test results, additionally; from the mechanical testing there was significant evidence to suggest that the failure mechanism is dependent upon the quality and preparation of the test specimen.