14 - Fracture surface morphologies in understanding of composite structural behavior

Abstract

The innovation in materials science reveals more materials day by day and the material database grows exponentially. Improvement and innovations in manufacturing technology and assembly of composites materials are required to achieve the objectives of cost and performance to allow wider adoption in many sectors. In this chapter we will focus on the morphological properties of the composite materials based on natural fillers (fibers and particles) reinforced thermoplastics matrix, in understanding the final properties of composites. The morphological properties of the composites in terms of distribution/dispersion of fillers into matrix, interfacial adhesion, and fractographic surface morphology will be analyzed and correlated with the structural and mechanical properties of these composites. The results show that the improvement of the composite properties is directed by fillers’ shape, granulometry, distribution/dispersion of fillers' and factors related to mixing processes (extrusion and injection). It has observed that the structural and mechanical properties of composites are related to the observed change on the composites morphology structure and each change has a direct impact on the material response. Advanced understanding of some morphological aspects concerning the relationship between fillers/matrix, and fillers into matrix made possible the knowledge of the degree of structural and mechanical properties of the composites and this is confirmed by experimental tests.