Structure Characterization of Filled Polymers by Means of MRI

The structure of foams and filled polymers can be analyzed by means of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). It is also possible to observe the deformation behavior of the structure of foams and filled polymers in situ. A displacement experiment was performed in a magnet and observed by MRI. The NMR images are analyzed by image processing. Average distances between particles are estimated by the use of the autocorrelation function and the spectrum of the autocorrelation function. The spectrum shows the spatial frequency of the distances. The displacement field was calculated by the cross‐correlation function. Thus, information concerning the particle distances and micromechanical deformation can be obtained by NMR imaging methods by combining autocorrelation and cross‐correlation. Such data are important for the evaluation of the mechanical strength of filled polymers.