Sample preparation workflow for carbon-fiber-reinforced poylmer (CFRP) analysis

Carbon fiber‑reinforced polymer (CFRP) is widely used across industries for its high strength‑to‑weight ratio, stiffness, and corrosion resistance, enabling lightweight, high‑performance applications in aerospace, automotive, construction, wind energy, and sports equipment.

This application note provides guidance on carrying out materialographic preparation and microstructural analysis of CFRP to identify features such as delamination, pores, voids, and fiber displacement. The workflow demonstrates best practices for cutting, mounting, grinding, and polishing CFRP samples to achieve artifact‑free surfaces suitable for optical microscopy.