A study of the shape, surface structure and frictional wear of fibres by reflexion electron microscopy

The reflexion electron microscope has been used in a direct study of the shape and surface structure of small fibres of orlon, viscose rayon, cellulose acetate, glass wool, and undrawn and drawn nylon. The images obtained are superior in resolution and depth of field to those obtained by conventional optical methods and have the particular advantage of presenting a focused image of a large part of the curved surface. It is thus possible to evaluate the shape and surface structure of a fibre much more readily than with the optical microscope. The friction and wear of single fibres of drawn nylon when a flat platinum slider is rubbed once along the fibre has been investigated, using the reflexion technique. It has been found that under high sliding pressures the fibre undergoes considerable permanent deformation and severe tearing occurs at the centre of the track.