27 July 2021

In the frame of the SMARTFAN project, FORTH adopts the laser Raman technique to evaluate the interfacial performance of modified composites, well before the actual fabrication of the material.  Thus, minimizing the need for full scale testing in every single modified system, saving time and human efforts.

Several different combinations of composite systems provided by other SMARTFAN partners were analysed, including either modified polymeric matrices or modified carbon fibre inclusions.

Regardless the tested material, the mechanism of the method remains the same. A single-filament model coupon is was fabricated and via the Raman acquired shift vs. strain calibration line of the fibre, the calculation of the interfacial strength was possible. The load transfer mechanism in a fibre/matrix system is activated in the vicinity of discontinuities such as fibre ends and/or fibre breaks. The interfacial quality of the model composite directly reflects the mechanical performance of the full-scale composite, providing a great tool towards designing a material according to the desired needs.