Fractal Reconstruction of Fiber-reinforced Epoxy Microstructure

Abstract

In the past century, the use of polymers and composites with a polymer matrix has expanded to such a level that today it is impossible to imagine life without these materials. Epoxy resin and epoxy-based composites are widely used as construction materials, due to their excellent adhesion, thermal and chemical stability. Fractal nature analysis can provide insight in morphological changes at fiber-matrix interface level, which could give direction for the processing of composites. This mathematical technique can be performed on field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images, by identifying fiber phase and pores shapes and boundaries, as well as fiber-matrix bonding at the interface. In this study, fiberglass mat was used for the reinforcement of epoxy. FESEM image of enlarged fiber after the composite fracture was used for the reconstruction of data. With the use of affine fractal regression model, software Fractal Real Finder was employed for the reconstruction of fiber shape and the determination of Hausdorff dimension.