Fiber orientation distribution estimation of fiber reinforced polymers using phase contrast X-ray tomography.

Fiber reinforced polymers (F s) are increasingly used in critical components in the aerospace and automotive industry because of their low weight, strength, and cost effectiveness. Construction of F s requires an in-depth understanding of their microstructure to evaluate the strength and integrity of the composites. High resolution X-ray computed tomography has become the method of choice to investigate the composition and internal structure of F s. Unfortunately, conventional attenuation based X-ray imaging suffers from poor spatial resolution and contrast between the fibers and the polymer matrix. Fortunately, imaging methods have recently become available for lab-X-ray systems that allow to measure the local X-ray scattering (dark field imaging), leading to images with unprecedented contrast complementary to the conventional attenuation contrast. Dark field X-ray imaging is especially useful to image F s as it allows to reconstruct the full scattering profile in each voxel. However, crossing or intertwined fibers within a voxel are hard to disentangle, which makes quantification of distributions of fiber directions challenging. In this project, we will develop new models for superresolution dark field X-ray imaging that allows to quantify F fiber distributions with a subvoxel spatial resolution. This may lead to a better understanding of F properties and ultimately a better design of such materials.

Keywords:X-RAY TOMOGRAPHY, FIBER REINFORCED POLYMERS

Disciplines:Polymer composites, Computational materials science, Destructive and non-destructive testing of materials