Exploiting synchrotron X-ray tomography for a novel insight into flax-fibre defects ultrastructure

Flax fibres are valuable reinforcements for tomorrow's composites. However, defects called kink-bands, which mainly appear on fibres during the extraction and transformation phases, might affect their mechanical properties. Defects induced pores within the kink-band are investigated in this work. They were morphologically explored using synchrotron phase-contrast X-ray microtomography, a technique that displays a sharp 3D representation of the pores. The study highlights the link between kink-bands and secondary cell wall ultrastructure. Pores are organised concentrically around the lumen, and their low thickness suggest that they are located at the interface between cellulose layers within S2 (G) layer. Moreover, the pores inclination with reference to the lumen axis follows the typical microfibrillar angle changes observed in the literature in the kink-band region. The volumes of the pores were measured, and a local increase in porosity was revealed in zones where defects are most severe along the fibre.

Automated summary

Flax fibres are valuable reinforcements for composites, but defects called kink-bands might affect their properties. This study investigates the pores within the kink-band using X-ray microtomography, revealing their organization and correlation with the fiber's ultrastructure. Local increase in porosity was found in severe defect zones along the fiber.