Mechanical and Interfacial Properties Characterisation of Single Carbon Fibres for Composite Applications

The mechanical and interfacial properties of single carbon fibres have been experimentally investigated. Longitudinal tensile strengths were determined using single filament as well as impregnated yarn specimens at various gauge lengths ranging from 5 to 200 mm. The tensile behaviour of the fibre depends on gauge length due to the presence of flaws along the fibre. Axial compressive strength was obtained by the tensile recoil method. The transverse modulus was measured by nano-indentation technique. Shear modulus was obtained by a torsional pendulum test. The apparent shear strength of carbon fibre/epoxy interface was characterised by a microbond fibre pull-out test. Data obtained in this work constitute important materials' data input for the design and simulation of carbon fibre composite structures.