The FiberFind module covers the functionalities in GeoDict that aim to understand 3D scans of fibrous materials, like nonwovens and fiber-based composites, e. g. glass fiber reinforced or carbon fiber reinforced composites. FiberFind requires as input 3D models that are previously obtained from segmented micro CT scans or FIB/SEM scans of the material.

Three distinct approaches are pursued in FiberFind:

1. Estimate statistical properties of fibers: diameter distribution, orientation distribution, curviness, and curliness
2. Identify individual fibers by classical image processing methods
3. Identify individual fibers and binder by Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches

In FiberFind, we assume that pores have already been separated from solids, and that the solids consist of individual fibers and possibly some binder. Binder and fibers usually have the same gray values in the images. An automatic separation based on the gray value is therefore not possible. FiberFind with the submodule Identify Binder (AI) provides the possibility of separating binder from fibers automatically prior to the identification of separate fibers.

FiberFind analyzes the diameter, orientation, and curvature of fibers, to estimate the performance of fibrous structures.

FiberFind is the starting point to reproduce fibrous structures with FiberGeo. The FiberGeo module can create innumerable models of fibrous media and can also add binder to these models. Variations of fiber diameters, fiber shape, fiber length, fiber curvature, fiber density, etc. and also the amount and location of binder can be carried out as needed. The user can input the statistical parameters obtained with FiberFind in FiberGeo and model isotropic and anisotropic materials. Subsequently, the statistical parameters of the modelled structure may be easily varied to investigate the effect of material structure on the performance of materials. By being used together, FiberFind and FiberGeo are intended to close the digital fibrous material design loop.

FiberFind is particularly well suited for the analysis in fibrous structures made of non-hollow fibers with circular or slightly elliptical cross-section.