Methods for Visualization and Analysis of the Microstructure of a Fibrous Composite Material

Results from research on the microstructure of a fibrous composite material are reported. A laboratory sample of a multilayered fibrous material was analyzed using scanning electron and optical microscopy. The obtained images of the transverse cross section of the material were processed using the ImageJ program. Cross-sectional areas of the fibrous material obtained in a graphics program were determined after graphical processing. The ability to use optical microscopy, which can with adequate accuracy identify and evaluate fiber cross-sectional regions, was demonstrated. Electron microscopy produced images with greater contrast, which facilitated graphical processing. However, scanning electron microscopes are not always available to small industrial paper and pulp manufacturers