Three-dimensional imaging and quantitative analysis of dispersion and mechanical failure in filled nanocomposites

Characterizing filled nanocomposites is an active area of research in order to predictively modify their properties. The dispersion of nanofillers has a direct influence on these properties, and therefore the precise characterization of dispersion is essential in establishing a complete understanding of composite behavior. In this study, we have developed a methodology for using laser scanning confocal microscopy to quantitatively assess the three-dimensional dispersion of carbon nanotube bundles within a composite material in situ. Furthermore, we applied this methodology to directly visualize in real-time the subsurface mechanical failure of a carbon nanotube-filled composite.