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The ability to observe and quantify intrinsic material response to loading at different rates of strain has been improved by reducing the errors of mechanical characterisation in uniaxial compression experiments. In order to perform comparisons of the results from uniaxial compression tests used to characterise mechanical properties of aluminium alloys at different strain rates, it is necessary to reduce errors resulting from factors such as specimen design. In this study, the effects of strain rate, specimen geometry and lubrication on the compressive properties of aluminium AA2024 alloy were quantitatively investigated by measuring the mechanical behaviour of this alloy as functions of strain rate, specimen aspect ratio and lubrication condition. Both the deformation history and the failure mode were identified using low and ultrahigh speed photography. The interaction of factors influencing the measured stress-strain response was quantified, and suitable specimen aspect ratios for compression tests at different strain rates were identified.