Structural characterisation of carbon fibres along the fabrication process using SEM/FIB and TEM

The quality of carbon fibres as well as the resulting components is highly influenced by the properties of the precursor and the parameters of the thermo-mechanical process such as stabilisation, carbonisation and graphitisation. The general understanding of structure-properties-relation regarding the production process are the key towards tailor made designs. The influence of structural or stacking defects leads to a significant lowering of the theoretical mechanical properties. To identify such imperfections analytical methods like high resolution transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy do reveal the structural properties even at an atomic scale. Beside the analysis itself, the sample preparation without changing the probes is an urgent requirement. Therefore, focused ion beam in combination with scanning electron microscopy is the agent of choice.