The properties of advanced composite materials depend very heavily on the structure of the interface between the different components.

A lot of the action of physical objects takes place at the surface.  Surface properties influence the interaction of a body with its environment.  When two objects or materials are placed next to each other, the properties of each surface are modified, creating a region with unique properties: the interface.  A researcher at the University of Toledo in Ohio examined the interface structure between composite materials to determine the influence of the structure on bulk material properties.  To prepare aluminum surfaces for anodizing, they were first given an ultrasonic cleaning for ten minutes.

For further information visit www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

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