Compression testing of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics exposed to humid environments

Abstract

A compression test jig has been developed which may be used in the measurement of the compressive strength of both unidirectional and multidirectional carbon fibre-reinforced plastics. The jig has the merit that small specimens may be tested without the necessity of end-tabbing. This feature makes its use in test programmes where the material undergoes environmental exposure prior to tests particularly advantageous. The results of tests on the compressive strength of waisted unidirectional specimens support the utility of the test technique in comparison with alternative methods. The results of compression tests on unwaisted specimens of multidirectional material demonstrates that the test technique is able to detect changes in compressive stress due to environmental exposure and test conditions.