Effect of Cross-Sectional Textures on Transverse Compressive Properties of Pitch-Based Carbon Fibers

Abstract

The effect of the orientation texture of cross-sectional graphitic layer planes on transverse compressive properties was studied in pitch-based carbon fibers. The finite element analysis indicated that radially oriented fiber could be expected to display higher transverse modulus and lower transverse compressive strength than randomly oriented fiber. The transverse compressive test was carried out by means of direct pressing of single filaments in which each filament's strength and modulus were measured. The cross-sectional orientation texture was identified not only by observation under scanning electron microscope (SEM) but also by torsional modulus measurement. The transverse modules and transverse compressive strength were found to decrease with increasing crystallite size. It was however not possible to find out clear differences between radially and randomly oriented fiber. These transverse properties cannot therefore be attributed to differences in cross-sectional texture. Bonding between crystallites appears to be the dominant factor in determining the transverse modulus, while the strength in the central area of the cross section is expected to determine the transverse compressive strength of the filament.