Shear effects on expanded graphite under uniaxial pressure: An in situ small angle neutron scattering study

We have determined the evolution of the system fractal dimension, pore size distribution and apparent specific surface area with applied pressure which together allow us to describe the meso and macro pore structure evolution. Under pressure, the irreversible collapse and splitting of larger pores into smaller size ones which is characteristic of out-of-plane uniaxial compression [1], is accompanied, in the presence of shear stress components, by an in-plane slipping mechanism giving rise to cracks and consequently to interface formation.