Carbon fiber composites combine lightweight design with high mechanical performance, but their heterogeneous structure makes metallographic preparation particularly challenging.
During sectioning and polishing, fiber pull-out, surface damage, scratches, and edge rounding can alter the fiber/matrix interface and affect the accuracy of subsequent microstructural analysis.
For this sample, a controlled preparation route was used:
• TJ2568 low-shrinkage epoxy mounting system
• MET-SP P800 → P1200 → P2000 for progressive grinding
• CS-JP + 1 μm PD-WT polycrystalline diamond suspension
• ZN-ZP + 0.05 μm SO-A439 colloidal silica suspension for final polishing
The objective is not simply to achieve a smooth surface, but to preserve the true fiber/matrix interface and minimize preparation-induced artifacts.
Reliable sample preparation provides the foundation for accurate evaluation of fiber distribution, interface quality, defects, and composite microstructure.
#CarbonFiber #CompositeMaterials #Metallography #SamplePreparation #FailureAnalysis #MaterialCharacterization #TROJAN
