Towards lab-based X-ray scattering tensor tomography with circular gratings

Abstract

Reinforcement of the polymer matrix in injection-molded plastics with fibers of various kinds can improve their mechanical properties. The resulting polymer composite material provides exceptional load-bearing capabilities with flexibility in the molding of complex-shaped components. Mechanical properties of short-fiber-reinforced polymers are highly dependent on the fiber orientation in the matrix. Lack of maturity of injection molding simulation frameworks limits prediction of the complex flow patterns during injection molding, while the requirement for resolving individual fibers in conventional imaging methods significantly restricts the imaged field-of-view. Here we demonstrate 3D characterization of the fiber orientation in a complete FRP component enabled by a novel technique of X-ray tensor tomography. The obtained fiber orientation reconstruction can be efficiently used in reverse engineering applications, serving as a reference for simulations.