3D X-ray Computed Tomography Investigation of Fiber Damage and Microfibril Orientation in Compression and Injection Moulded Composites

The internal structure of short natural fiber reinforced composite were strongly linked to the mechanical properties of the composite. Therefore, it is required to anticipate the fiber damages and microfibrils orientation to ensure the composite strength through non destructive method. The focus of present investigation to ensure the shearing effect of natural fiber in twin screw extruder during mixing of PP matrix and bundle nature of pineapple fiber in compounding process develops microfibril and fiber damages in the specimen. The study was performed on 10% PALF/PP composite specimen developed in both compression and injection moulding process and examined under X ray microtomography and optical vision measuring system. The flaws, voids, curliness, microfibrils, fiber damages, orientation and fiber length measurement were detected in this method and compared both plastics manufacturing process and anticipated random distribution of fibers and orientation in composite product.