SEM Images

I briefly joined a hackerspace in Lowell, MA which has an SEM. While I was there I got a chance to test out a few products under high magnification. I would love to do more of this, but unfortunately, I no longer have access to one, so for now this will be it.

Initial SEM Images

Hull and Deck Putty

Image	Comment	Zoom
	A polyester product with embedded glass. Note the left edge, which is a broken edge of the putty. You can see glass fibers sticking out.	200x
	Area to zoom in.
	Zoomed in area of previous picture. One strand of glass is visible.	3000x

Woven Roving

Image	Comment	Zoom
	Threaded fiberglass. Has a checkerboard appearance. The dirt specks here may be from the glue used, or other dust. Sample should've been sprayed with air before putting under microscope.	135x
		480x
		1000x
		3000x

3210 LVP

Image	Comment	Zoom
	Here is a surface of 3210 in woven roving. Cured at ambient temperatures (~20C).	140x
	Here is the same sample but showing the glass underneath the top layer. Because the resin was only applied over the top of the glass with a roller, and no heat or vacuum was used, the resin did not soak into the inner layers. For best strength, the resin must soak to the inside. This can be resolved with (as mentioned) heating or vacuum. Note that vacuum isn't necessary to 'degas' but only to pull the resin into the inside of the glass. Glass type: n/a Resin type: 3210LVP	140x