Textechno integrates contact angle measurement to the award winning FIMATEST system for fibre/matrix-adhesion strength testing | NewsLIGHT #15 | Textechno
The leading designer and manufacturer of precision test equipment and systems for fibres and rovings, Textechno, presents a new option to their FIMATEST system, which has won the JEC World innovation award 2016.
FIMATEST determines the fibre/matrix-adhesion by means of a single-fibre pull-out test. Here, a controlled embedding takes place in the FIMABOND embedding station and the subsequent pull-out testing is performed in the single-fibre tensile- and linear-density tester FAVIMAT+.
Adding a second high-resolution camera to the FIMABOND embedding station and developing a sophisticated image analysis software has made it now possible to determine the contact angle during single fibre embedding, thus while preparing a sample for the pull-out test.
The optical axis of this camera is oriented under 90° to the fibre axis. The images (see Figure 1) are continuously analysed and as soon as the fibre gets in contact with the surface, the contact angle is evaluated on both sides of the meniscus. The contact angle is measured continuously while the embedding speed can be varied in a wide range. Hence, the system further helps to understand the wetting dynamics.
As this optical measurement also works at elevated temperatures it is – according to Textechno’s information – the first commercial system which can determine the contact angle on thermoplastic matrices up to 400°C in a single-fibre test.
Another great advantage of the new option is the fact that the fibre diameter can be determined, too. Especially when testing short fibres of about 4 mm length this replaces cumbersome diameter measurements with microscopic means. Existing FIMABOND devices can be upgraded with this new option.
The FIMABOND embedding station (left) and the automatic evaluation of the contact angle on both sides of the fibre in the image of the new additional high-resolution camera. © Textechno