Dynamic mechanical analysis at the submicron scale

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 41; no. 8; pp. 3087 - 3092
• Main Authors: Oulevey, F., Burnham, N.A., Gremaud, G., Kulik, A.J., Pollock, H.M., Hammiche, A., Reading, M., Song, M., Hourston, D.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Dynamic mechanical analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Micro-thermal analysis; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer blends; Properties and characterization; Rheology and viscoelasticity; Micro-thermal analysis; Dynamic mechanical analysis; Polymer blends; Resolving power; Atomic force microscopy; SAN; Tetrafluoroethylene polymer; Submicrometer; Methyl methacrylate polymer; Ethersulfone polymer; Surface topography; Experimental study; Molecular relaxation; Investigation method; Testing equipment; Styrene polymer
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/S0032-3861(99)00601-1

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is traditionally performed on bulk samples. However, studies of polymer blends would be enhanced if DMA could be applied on a local scale in order to enable a new form of microthermal analysis. Mounting a sample on a vibrating heating stage and observing the resulting amplitude and phase of the motion of an atomic force microscope cantilever allows the local elastic and visco-elastic properties to be studied. It is demonstrated in this article on samples of polyethersulfone/poly (acryonitrile- co-styrene) and polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) blends, and PMMA, PS and polytetrafluoroethylene homopolymers. Images at a specific temperature and spectroscopic data as a function of temperature of (nominally) a single point were collected. Primary and secondary relaxations were detected; the lateral resolution is better than 100 nm. We discuss the promising and limiting aspects of this new technique.