Specimen size effects on the compressive strength and Weibull modulus of nuclear graphite of different coke particle size: IG-110 and NBG-18

The effects of specimen size on the compressive strength and Weibull modulus were investigated for nuclear graphite of different coke particle sizes: IG-110 and NBG-18 (average coke particle size for IG-110: 25 μm, NBG-18: 300 μm). Two types of cylindrical specimens, i.e., where the diameter to length ratio was 1:2 (ASTM C 695-91 type specimen, 1:2 specimen) or 1:1 (1:1 specimen), were prepared for six diameters (3, 4, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm) and tested at room temperature (compressive strain rate: 2.08 × 10−4 s−1). Anisotropy was considered during specimen preparation for NBG-18. The results showed that the effects of specimen size appeared negligible for the compressive strength, but grade-dependent for the Weibull modulus. In view of specimen miniaturization, deviations from the ASTM C 695-91 specimen size requirements require an investigation into the effects of size for the grade of graphite of interest, and the specimen size effects should be considered for Weibull modulus determination.