Probing morphology and toughening mechanisms of high performance composities using transmission electron microscopy

摘要

AbstractThe usefulness of the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique in probing the morphology and toughening mechanisms of high performance composite systems is demonstrated. TEM provides an effective study of both the morphology and fracture behavior of graphite fiber reinforced epoxy and for cyanate composite systems. The failure process in these composites can be under stood. The TEM technique introduced here is found to be valuable for both fundamental and developmental research in improving both physical and mechanical properties of high performance composites. The present work focuses on demonstrating how a composite can be successfully prepared for TEM investigations. Experimental procedures concerning identification and isolation of the crack tip damage zoen, followed by cutting, trimming, staining, and thin section of the composite sample are detailed.