MEASUREMENTS OF CHARACTERISTIC PARAMETERS IN POLYMER COMPOSITES BY MEANS OF A MICROPOLARISCOPE

A new method of determining the characteristic parameters in nonhomoge neous polymers is described. The method makes it possible to measure t he characteristic parameters for a large region of the sample in a fas t and simple way. The measurements are made by means of a modified pol arizing microscope, serving as a micropolariscope. Characteristic para meters are determined for epoxy resin with different spherical inclusi ons: glass, poly(vinyl acetate), and an air bubble. It is concluded th at retardation images are related to the type of inclusion. The analys is of characteristic direction images is more complicated because they depend on the position of the inclusion within sample thickness.