High-Temperature Compression Testing of Graphite

Experiments on the compression of graphite cylinders at elevated temperatures are described. It is found that the short-time compressive strength increases with temperature in the range from room temperature to 2000 C, a variation which is consistent with the previously reported behavior of the tensile strength. Photographs of typical modes of deformation and their corresponding stress-strain curves are presented, but a limited degree of temperature control renders the curves semiquantitative in nature. The large, mutually opposing influences of temperature and strain rate are illustrated by photographs of typical failures, and stress-relaxation curves manifest the plasticity of graphite at high temperatures.