A self-similar morphology detected in a composite produced by densification of co-crumpled metallic thin foils

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a self-similar, fractal-like microstructure in a novel composite made from densified co-crumpled metallic thin foils, characterized by interlocked morphology and quantified through specific microstructural parameters.

Contribution

It introduces a new composite manufacturing method and provides a quantitative analysis revealing its self-similar, fractal microstructure compared to traditional laminates.

Findings

Microstructure is highly interlocked and self-similar.

Fractal nature of the composite's morphology was demonstrated.

Quantitative parameters differentiate it from conventional laminates.

Abstract

A new kind of composite were manufactured by densification of co-crumpled aluminium and tantalum thin foils using close die compression. It was shown by optical micrography that its microstructure is highly interlocked. The morphology was analysed quantitatively in terms of the following three parameters: the area of the foil interface per unit volume, the interface tortuosity, and a characteristic of the local orientation of the foil surface. Based on these parameters, co-crumpled material studied has been compared with conventional laminates. A fractal nature of its self-similar structure was revealed.