Accurate Measurement on Cross Sectional Area of Single Filaments Using a Desktop SEM

Cross sectional area of single filaments, a key parameter to characterize fiber properties, was experimentally studied using a desktop scanning electron microscope. Three different methods are employed based on the pixel area, averaged diameter and single diameter measurements, respectively. Results have shown that all three methods can achieve accurate measurement results once the axis of fiber sample is kept parallel to the electron beam. Significant errors are generated for the fiber samples with their axis tilted, which may frequently occur as a sample prepared. For circular fibers, a single diameter measured from tilted fibers is sufficient to determine their cross sectional area at high precision with COV values below 1.6%. By selecting an appropriate method, a desktop SEM can serve as a convenient and powerful tool for accurate determination of cross sectional area as well as morphological observation.