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HomeSolid State PhenomenaSolid State Phenomena Vol. 387A CT-Based Methodology for Mesostructural...

A CT-Based Methodology for Mesostructural Characterization of Unidirectional Continuous-Fiber Polymer Composites Using Line-Profile Descriptors

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Abstract:

X-ray micro-computed tomography enables three-dimensional inspection of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Quantitative mesostructural characterization remains challenging when voxel size does not permit reliable phase segmentation. This study presents a CT-based methodology for mesostructural characterization of unidirectional continuous-fiber polymer composites using line-profile descriptors. The approach extracts fixed one-dimensional intensity profiles within a defined internal volume of interest and computes a compact set of statistical and spatial descriptors. These include distributional moments, entropy, gradient-based measures, autocorrelation-derived correlation length, spectral band-energy ratios, and percentile-based run-length metrics. A technical quality control procedure verifies numerical consistency of the extracted feature tables. A one-at-a-time sensitivity analysis quantifies the influence of descriptor hyperparameters and identifies parameter groups that alter signal partitioning, particularly spectral cut-offs and run-length thresholds. Applied to pultruded composites, the descriptors resolve transverse heterogeneity across the section and systematic through-thickness trends in attenuation level, dispersion, spatial scale, and persistence of low-attenuation domains. The methodology provides a traceable low-dimensional representation of attenuation structure that can inform finite-element modeling through spatially parameterized material fields. Mechanical validation and descriptor–property calibration remain subjects for future work.

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Periodical:

Solid State Phenomena (Volume 387)

Pages:

103-117

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/p-sDKXB6

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Online since:

April 2026

Authors:

Roberto Mele*, Paolo De Sio, Fausto Tucci, Pierpaolo Carlone

Keywords:

Line-Profile Features, Microstructure Characterization, Unidirectional Continuous-Fiber Composites, X-Ray Micro-Computed Tomography

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Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

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* - Corresponding Author

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