Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
4
RAMAN APPLICATIONS IN
SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL
POLYMER FIBERS AND
THEIR COMPOSITES
Robert J. Young, Ph.D. and Steve J. Eichhorn, Ph.D.
Materials Science Centre, School of Materials, University of Manchester
4.1 INTRODUCTION
Aerospace and other advanced industries are driving the need to
develop lightweight materials with high stiffnesses, strengths, and tough-
ness. Progress over the last 30 years into the production of high-
performance polymeric fi bers has been rapid with these properties
ultimately in mind. Coupled with this progress has been the develop-
ment of the necessary tools to follow the deformation processes in
polymeric fi bers to understand better how their performance can be
improved. Particular highlights have been the development of Raman
spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (more recently from synchrotron
sources), with which the molecular and crystal deformation of poly-
meric fi bers can be followed in detail. This approach has been particu-
larly useful for studying the micromechanics of composites, which are
becoming increasingly important as high- performance materials. A
clear distinction can be made between fi bers derived by man- made
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