Cross Section Microscopy Analysis with Inspection Microscope, Metallographic Microscope, or SEM:
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Void and crack detection
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Check ply orientation
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Measure layer thickness
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Determination of failure mode
Thermogravimetric Analysis or TGA:
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Measure weight of fill materials such as fiberglass, carbon black, silicon nitride, carbon fibers, silicon carbide, calcium carbonate, aluminum trihydrate, magnesium, hydroxide, silica, talc, mica, and clay particles and whiskers
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Measure the respective weight of each polymer of a copolymer material
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Void content by volume after determining the initial volume and weight, the resin weight, and the final fiberglass or particle weight
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Water content absorbed
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VOC emissions or outgassing upon further cure or heating
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Determine temperature at which water is released by hydrated fill particles
Thermomechanical Analysis or TMA:
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Thermal expansion properties
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Determine the degree of polymer crystallinity
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Measure softening temperatures and glass transition temperatures
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Swelling characteristics in various solvents or liquids
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Measure shrinkage due to the volatilization of adsorbed liquids such as water, fuels, or oils
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis or DMA:
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Elastic modulus as a function of temperature
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Loss modulus (the viscoelasticity) as a function of temperature
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Measure the glass transition temperature, Tg
Differential Scanning Calorimetry or DSC:
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Measure the glass transition temperature
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Determine the degree of cure or energy of cure
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Check for polymorphism
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Endothermal melting or phase changes detected and measured, which may indicate impurities and isomers
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Measure the endothermic energy of water release
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Measure the oxidation temperature and energy of reaction of components such as the matrix polymer or binder
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Measure exothermal energy release due to internal reactions
FTIR or Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis:
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Determine organic resin identity
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Detect organic layers or fiberglass or fill materials
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Detect surface coatings
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Detect carbonates, phosphates, nitrates, nitrites, and water
XPS or ESCA Analysis:
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Polymer matrix composition with quantitative elemental and functional group chemical analysis
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Contamination on surface affecting adhesive bonding such as from mold release agents
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Surface chemistry of fiberglass and fill particle materials affecting bonding or water release properties
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Identification of solid residue due to fill materials after TGA burn-off of polymer matrix
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Identification of E or S fiberglass after TGA burn-off of polymer matrix
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Surface chemistry due to surface treatments such as cleaning, abrasion, environmental exposure, or degradation
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Interphase chemistry at interfaces
Profilometry or Surface Roughness Measurements
SEM and Microscopic Failure Analysis:
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Identify locus of failure
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Identify type of failure
ASTM Test Methods:
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ASTM D2584 - Standard Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced Plastics
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ASTM D2734 - Standard Test Method for Void Content of Reinforced Plastics
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ASTM E831 - Standard Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid Materials by Thermomechanical Analysis
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ASTM E1131 - Standard Test Method for Compositional Analysis by Thermogravimetry
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ASTM E1640 - Standard Test Method for Assignment of the Glass Transition Temperature by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
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