Transverse Properties of Carbon Fibres by Nano-Indentation and Micro-mechanics

In this study the transverse modulus of three high modulus (M40, M46 and K63712) carbon fibres has first been measured directly by nano-indentation measurements. Transverse tensile tests on unidirectional epoxy composites were then performed, and the comparison was made between transverse fibre properties from indentation and those needed to obtain the measured transverse composite modulus using micromechanics expressions. The latter tended to underestimate values from indentation, by up to 36%, and reasons for this are discussed. Values of transverse fibre modulus determined by both methods decrease as longitudinal fibre modulus increases.