Abstract: The transverse cracking and delamination damage of the two series (i.e.[±θ/90₂]_S and [0_n/90₂]_S) of carbon/epoxy laminates induced by tensile loading were studied experimentally and analysed with finite element method (FEM).In expriments,the damage process of the multi-layer laminates were monitored with acoustic emission (AE) technique and observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEIVI).The relationship of mechanical behaviour,initial damage and damage accumulation with lay-up angle θ were analysed.This study indicatos that the results measured for transverse cracking and delamination are in good agreement with those of predictions by FEM calculations,in which the energy criterion was used. In addition,compression tests were conducted on the testing stage in the SEM and so were the failure processes dynamically observed. Finally, the microscopic failure mechanisms of the laminates having different θ were discussed.