Mechanical Properties and Adhesion of a Micro Structured Polymer Blend

Abstract

Abstract:A 50:50 blend of polystyrene (PS) and poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA) has been characterized with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in Tapping Mode and with force-distance curves. The polymer solution has been spin-coated on a glass slide. PnBMA builds a uniform film on the glass substrate with a thickness of ≅200 nm. On top of it, the PS builds an approximately 100 nm thick film. The PS-film undergoes dewetting, leading to the formation of holes surrounded by about 2 µm large rims. In those regions of the sample, where the distance between the holes is larger than about 4 µm, light depressions in the PS film can be observed. Topography, dissipated energy, adhesion, stiffness and elastic modulus have been measured on these three regions (PnBMA, PS in the rims and PS in the depressions). The two polymers can be distinguished in all images, since PnBMA has a higher adhesion and a smaller stiffness than PS, and hence a higher dissipated energy. Moreover, the polystyrene in the depressions shows a very high adhesion (approximately as high as PnBMA) and its stiffness is intermediate between that of PnBMA and that of PS in the rims. This is attributed to higher mobility of the PS chains in the depressions, which are precursors of new holes.

Multiscale Frictional Properties of Cotton Fibers: A Review

“…This technique has been extensively applied to quantify the surface nanomechanical properties of silicone and polymeric thin films, SAMs, nanocomposite materials, and living cells [128,[130][131][132][133][134]. Nanomechanical properties of plant cell walls have been also investigated [135][136][137].…”

Utilizing hydrolyzed powder recyclates as filler in polystyrene

“…Electrostatic powder coatings that are used for coating of metal and non-metal surfaces represent an alternative filler for polymers as we have reported previously, and can be produced in two different types, thermoset or thermoplastic [13,14]. These powder coatings contain resins, hardeners, pigments, fillers and additives, and are named after the type of resin and hardener used [14][15][16][17]. They are eco-friendly products since they do not contain solvents in their structure and are preferred over wet paint coating materials.…”

“…Unfortunately, a substantial amount of the powder coating material is lost during electrostatic spraying on the substrate surface, because powder coating particles that do not reach or adhere to the material surface fall of. A part of the powder coating wastes can be reused after pigment reinforcement [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. However, approximately 300 000 tons to 400 000 tons of powder coating wastes per year cannot be reused and are incinerated at temperatures of 300 8C and higher.…”

“…Powder coatings as well as powder coating wastes adhere to metal surfaces at temperatures between 130 8C and 220 8C [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. By hydrolyzing the powder coatings the adherence to metal surfaces can be avoided, which allows the use of hydrolyzed powder coating wastes as fillers in thermoplastic materials [29,30].…”

Elasticity patterns induced by phase-separation in polymer blend films

“…There are numerous experimental techniques enabling determination of physico-chemical properties of supported thin polymer layers, including atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based force spectroscopy [49–57], nanoindentation [46,58–60], acoustic waves measurements or buckling-based metrology [44]. In case of indentation experiments, the measured parameters are usually combination of film and substrate properties.…”