Nanoscale Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites: Changes in Elastic Modulus and Measurement of Ion Penetration Depth Due to α-radiation

• Published in: Journal of materials research Vol. 15; no. 4; pp. 838 - 841
• Main Authors: Chien, Allen T., Felter, Tom, LeMay, James D., Balooch, Mehdi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.04.2000
• Subjects: Rapid Communications
• ISSN: 0884-2914; 2044-5326
• DOI: 10.1557/JMR.2000.0119

The local mechanical properties of silica-reinforced silicone composites were investigated using a modified atomic force microscopy technique. Elastic modulus measurements (1.5 ± 0.1 MPa) are consistent with bulk measurements (1.9 MPa), and changes in the modulus at the surface of the composite samples (E = 1.5 to 3.5 MPa) were observed as a result of α-irradiation (dose = 1.7 × 1010 to 2.0 × 1012 α/cm2). The sensitivity of the technique was demonstrated by a detectable change in modulus at even the small dose of 1.7 × 1010 α/cm2. The penetration depth of the α-particles into the material, estimated to be 22 ± 2 μm from the sample edge, was determined by cross-section depth profiling; and modeling of the ion penetration depth using transport of ions in matter codes (24.4 ± 0.4 μm) closely matched experimental observations.