Microscopic Observation under SEM

The microstructural characteristics of plastic deformation and damage are analyzed with the help of micrographs of the cryofractured surfaces taken from 

Compared with BD13, at low strain of 0.2, the matrix appearance is similar, but less particles are debonded from the matrix. At 0.4 true strain, the matrix deformation and microvoids formation are less important than BD13 as well. Large matrix deformation and large quantity of microvoids appear when the tme strain reaches 0.6. The microfilaments across the interface can still be seen for some small size particles. Even though the microvoid formation and growth are developed greatly, the horizontal 

As to BD16, different characters on the morphology of cryofractured surfaces are remarked. The interfacial debonding can be seen only when the true strain reaches a 

In the case of a semicrystalline polymer such as PP, the microstructural features are likely to appear at the scale of the spherulites (typically 5-100 pm in diameter) or even closer at the scale of the long period of the lamellar stacks (10-100 nm). In order to accede to the latter details, it was shown previously (48) that etching of the polished surface with oxidizing acids engraves the amorphous interstices and let the crystalline morphology appear lamellae, or at least stacks of lamellae, become visible. 

---