The black shale of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in the upper Yangtze region is a set of regional hydrocarbon source rocks rich in organic matter.Using MTS Rock Physical Parameter Automatic Testing System,the rock mechanical property of 2 wells and 2 measured sections are researched through simulating actual geological conditions.Then,a comparison between the mechanical parameters of North American typical shales and that of the Niutitang Formation black shale is made.The result shows the following conclusions.(1) The fracture patterns of the black shale are mainly the tensile shear failure,monoclinic shear failure and conjugate shear failure.With the confining pressure increases gradually,the rock rupture angle decrease.The rupture is mainly the brittle to brittle-plastic deformation.(2)The type and burial depth of the shale,the core orientation,formation water and the loading conditions have great influences on the rock mechanical parameters of the shale.(3) The compressive strength of rocks has some relationship with the sedimentary background.(4)The brittle mineral composition is another main factor influencing the compressive strength.