Interphases play a key role in determining mechanical properties of composites. One of effective ways of creating interphases and, in this way, controlling composite properties, is the fibre surface treatment, in particular, using sizings and film formers.

It is accepted without doubt that the composite properties are strongly affected by the interface.

The Micro Thermal Analysis µTA™ combines the high positioning accuracy and imaging capabilities of scanning probe microscopy with methods of thermal analysis.

The properties of polymer networks of a bulk material are different from a thin polymer layer near the substrate surface.

At IPF, several micromechanical measuring stations have been developed to investigate the properties of fiber-matrix-interphases in single fiber model composites.

• Overview of the micromechanical measuring stations
• Detailed description of the measuring stations including sample prepartion
  
  • Fiber embedding (sample preparation)
  • Quasistatic pull-out test
  • Hysteresis and long-term loading tests
  • Dynamic loading test
  • High-speed pull-out test