Using fractal dimensions to characterize atomic force microscope images of epoxy resin fracture surfaces

Atomic force microscopy was used to obtain images of the fracture surface of a tri-ethylene-tetramine and 4,4 (methyl thylidene) epoxy resin. Images were obtained in the mirror, mist, and hackle regions of each sample. Fractal dimensions were calculated from the images using the box dimension and contour analysis method. The box dimension fractal dimension increment for all regions on the fracture surfaces were determined to average 0.26 ± 0.06 and the contour analysis fractal dimension increment were determined to average 0.46 ± 0.05. The box dimension technique is shown to provide the “true” fractal dimension of the surface. The fractal dimension measurements for all three regions indicated that the fracture surface was self-affine and possibly self-similar.