Observing Fibers Swelling in Water with an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

Abstract

A method has been developed for observing cross-sectional area swelling in textile fibers with water using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). Sample preparation is minimal, and water condensation and evaporation is controlled solely by manipulating the temperature and pressure conditions in the microscope. Images of the swollen and dry fibers can then be analyzed to calculate the area increase. Experiments with lyocell fiber samples broadly agree with swelling values from more traditional optical microscopy techniques, but the improved resolution, magnification, and depth of field of the ESEM make it easier to determine the position of cross-sectional edges during ESEM analysis compared with traditional methods.