Nanoscale crack initiation and propagation in carbon fiber/epoxy composites using synchrotron: 3D image data

Crack initiation and propagation in carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) was observed in situ under the application of an opening load using nanoscopic synchrotron radiation X-ray computed tomography (nanoscopic SR X-CT) at a high spatial resolution of ∼50 nm. Two datasets of reconstructed and segmented images were produced in typical regions, namely in the thin and thick epoxy regions where the resin thickness between the adjacent carbon fibers was small and large, respectively. This novel study presents the first non-destructive three-dimensional (3D) visualization of resin deformation behavior around crack tips, and provides a valuable and unique insight for the future design of CFRPs.