Abstract

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.

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