Influence of laser irradiation on the optical and the mechanical properties of Makrofol‐DE polycarbonate

Abstract

The effect of IR laser irradiation on the optical and the mechanical properties of Makrofol-DE 1-1 CC polycarbonate films were investigated. Three hundred microns-thick films of Makrofol-DE 1-1 CC polycarbonate were irradiated with 0.00-10.40 J/cm 2 of Ga-As laser pulses, 904 nm, 5 W, and 200-ns pulse duration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements showed that (C¼ ¼O) groups degrade under laser irradiation at the studied fluence range. The aliphatic and aromatic (CAH) groups exhibited the same behavior, which can be attributed to nature of laser interaction with matter. The Makrofol samples exhibited degradation under the effect of laser irradiation up to 0.94 J/cm 2 , where crosslinking mechanism started and continued until 7.07 J/cm 2 . The refractive index had a minimum value at 0.94 J/cm 2 and maximum value at 7.07 J/cm 2 due to the degradation and crosslinking formation inside the sample, respectively. The decrease in elastic modulus, E, of Makrofol irradiated with 0.47-0.94 and 7.07-10.40 J/cm 2 indicates that the sample becomes more flexible, which results from the decrease in interatomic force constants.

Micro-texturing of polymer surfaces using lasers: a review

“…Using different investigation techniques, changes in the optical or physical properties of polymers indicate whether cross-linking or degradation dominated during laser irradiation. Reports showed, for instance, that the refractive index of a nuclear track detector comprising polyallyl diglycol carbonate is dose-dependent [16]. Just like other optical properties, the refractive index depends on several factors such as wavelength, temperature, and optical frequency.…”

“…Mechanical properties of polymers are also influenced by laser. Naturally, attraction forces between atoms and nearby molecules along with the movement of molecule segments greatly affect the mechanical properties of polymers [15,16,18]. Intermolecular forces depend on the nature of polymer atoms and can be altered by irradiation-induced cross-linking or bond scission.…”

“…On the other hand, large chains in polymers with high molecular weight are entangled, providing the polymer with strength. Laser-induced degradation can be used as a rapid method of studying the aging or radiation stability in polymers [16]. In untreated polymers, the deformation curve (Fig.…”

“…Since polymers and polymer composites continue to attract attention of researchers, more work is needed in this area, with a view to Fig. 16 Scanning electron microscopy images. (a) Linelike dots on carbon-doped polycarbonate [53].…”