Abstract
Fractal analysis of surfaces of several commercial and experimental reinforcing fibers is reported. Atomic force microscope images of fiber surfaces demonstrate the self-affinity of surface topog- raphy over a range of scales. The roughness of the fiber surfaces was calculated after the cylindrical curvature was removed by subtracting a fitted second order polynomial. Fractal dimensions of surfaces were evaluated. The fractal dimension of graphite T40R fiber was 2.09. The fractal dimension of Kevlar® 149 fiber was 2.37. Fractal dimensions of high temperature polyimide BPDA-PFMB fibers decreased from 2.52 for as spun, undrawn fibers to 2.18 for a fiber with a draw ratio 8. The fractal nature of the fiber surfaces implies that the interphase regions also have fractal morphology. Study of the nature of a fractal interface is expected to lead to new insight into the transfer of stress between the fiber and the matrix.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 307-319 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Composite Interfaces |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1994 |
Keywords
- Advanced reinforcing fibers
- Atomic force microscopy
- Fractal dimension
- Fractal interfaces in composite
- Multiple image variography
- Surface morphology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ceramics and Composites
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films