Download here the Application Note: Metal Coating of Glass Fibers
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass, typically with diameters of 3 µm up to 20 µm. SEM imaging is an ideal tool to check the homogeneity and dispersion of glass fibers in a polymer matrix. Other defects such as poor adhesion to the polymer matrix can also easily be detected.
Chemical microanalysis techniques (EDS) offer additional information about the composition of the fibers. Glass fibers are good thermal and electrical insulators. This means that when they are imaged in a microscope, sample charging will occur, and sputter coating becomes essential.
Find out more by downloading the application note here.