Observations on interphase characterisation in polymer composites by nanoscale indentation and use of AFM cantilever torsion to identify measurement artefacts
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online July, 2012
Observations on interphase characterisation in polymer composites by nanoscale indentation and use of AFM cantilever torsion to identify measurement artefacts
The results presented in this paper explore the extent to which indentation in the interfacial region of polymer composites can be used to identify, unambiguously, an interphase of distinct elastic properties. Supporting evidence is presented in the form of atomic force microscopy indentation in the interfacial region of two polymer composites, a glass fibre reinforced vinylester and a glass flake reinforced polypropylene, where a transition region of measurement artefact is revealed as opposed to a physically distinct interphase. The conclusions from these tests are augmented by further work on a glass fibre reinforced phenolic using a new in situ method of identifying measurement artefacts.
OliverW, PharrG: ‘Measurement of hardness and elastic modulus by instrumented indentation: advances in understanding and refinements to methodology’, J. Mater. Res., 2004, 19, (1), 3–20.
2.
HodzicA, StachurskiZH, KimJK: ‘Nano-indentation of polymer–glass interfaces. Part I: Experimental and mechanical analysis’, Polymer, 2000, 41, (18), 6895–6905.
3.
HodzicA, KimJK, StachurskiZH: ‘Nano-indentation and nano-scratch of polymer/glass interfaces. II: model of interphases in water aged composite materials’, Polymer, 2001, 42, (13), 5701–5710.
4.
HodzicA, KalyanasundaramS, KimJK, LoweAE, StachurskiZH: ‘Application of nano-indentation, nano-scratch and single fibre tests in investigation of interphases in composite materials’, Micron, 2001, 32, (8), 765–775.
5.
KimJ: ‘Nanoscale characterisation of interphase in silane treated glass fibre composites’, Composites Part A, 2001, 32A, (5), 607–618.
6.
LeeSH, WangS, PharrGM, XuH: ‘Evaluation of interphase properties in a cellulose fiber-reinforced polypropylene composite by nanoindentation and finite element analysis’, Composites Part A, 2007, 38A, (6), 1517–1524.
7.
VanLandinghamMR, DagastineRR, EduljeeRF, McCulloughRL, GillespieJW: ‘Characterization of nanoscale property variations in polymer composite systems. 1. Experimental results’, Composites Part A, 1999, 30A, (1), 75–83.
8.
GriswoldC, CrossWM, KierengtroenL, KellerJJ: ‘Interphase variation in silane-treated glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites’, J. Adhes. Sci. Technol., 2005, 19, (3–5), 279–290.
9.
MatzenmillerA, GerlachS: ‘Parameter identification of elastic interphase properties in fiber composites’, Composites Part B, 2006, 37B, (2), 117–126.
10.
GohilPP, ShaikhA: ‘Analytical investigation and comparative assessment of interphase influence on elastic behavior of fiber reinforced composites’, J. Reinf. Plast. Compos., 2009, 29, (5), 685–699.
11.
GaoSL, MäderE: ‘Characterisation of interphase nanoscale property variations in glass fibre reinforced polypropylene and epoxy resin composites’, Composites Part A, 2002, 33A, (4), 559–576.
12.
MunzM, ChungJ, MunzG: In: (W. Possart, ed.). ‘Adhesion: current research and applications’.</cit-tl> 103–123; 2006, Weinheim: Wiley-VCH.
13.
MesaB, MagonovS: ‘Novel diamond/sapphire probes for scanning probe microscopy applications’, J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 2007, 61, 770–774.
14.
YoungW: ‘Roark's formulas for stress and strain’, 7th edn; 2002, New York/London, McGraw-Hill.
SalernoM, BykovI: ‘Tutorial: mapping adhesion forces and calculating elasticity in contact-mode AFM’, Microsc. Anal., 2006, 20, S5–S8.
17.
CliffordCA, SeahMP: ‘Quantification issues in the identification of nanoscale regions of homopolymers using modulus measurement via AFM nanoindentation’, Appl. Surf. Sci., 2005, 252, (5), 1915–1933.
18.
LinDC, DimitriadisEK, HorkayF: ‘Robust strategies for automated AFM force curve analysis. I: non-adhesive indentation of soft, inhomogeneous materials’, J. Biomech. Eng., 2007, 129, (3), 430.
19.
MonclusMA, YoungTJ, Di MaioD: ‘AFM indentation method used for elastic modulus characterization of interfaces and thin layers’, J. Mater. Sci., 2010, 45, (12), 3190–3197.
20.
KhannaS, WinterR, RanganathanP, YedlaS, KalukanimuttamM, ParuchuriK: ‘Sample preparation techniques for nano-mechanical characterization of glass fiber reinforced polyester matrix composites’, Composites Part A, 2003, 34A, (1), 53–65.
21.
YoungTJ, MonclusM, BroughtonWR, OginSL, SmithPA: ‘Characterisation of interfaces in micro- and nano-composites’, Proc 17th Int. Conf. on ‘Composite materials’, Edinburgh, UK, July 2009, British Composites Society.
