A hybrid method of phase shifting interferometry and optical tomographic techniques for determining the optical anisotropy of grafted nylon-6 fibres with PMMA polymer

A method combining the phase shifting interferometry PSI and optical tomographic techniques for detecting the optical properties of grafted nylon-6 fibres is introduced. The method is capable of detecting the optical anisotropy and morphological properties of the sample at same time for the same region of the tested sample. The effect of grafting of nylon-6 with poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, polymer on their optical and morphological properties was investigated. The two-beam Pluta polarising interference microscope attached to a fibre rotation device with the suggested method were used to produce both computed tomographic data for morphological characterisation of the grafted fibre and interferometric measurements of birefringence values along the fibre axis. A blank sample of nylon-6 fibre was used to confirm the impact of grafting process with the PMMA polymer on the optical and structural properties of the nylon-6 fibres. Two -beam interference patterns are included for illustration. [Display omitted] •A hybrid method for detecting the optical anisotropy and morphological properties of grafted nylon-6 fibres is introduced.•The results are obtained for the same region of the tested sample at same time.•The effect of grafting on the structure and surface variation is easily detected.