| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L78529/01 |
| Title: |
SCANNING FORCE MICROSCOPY,NANOTRIBOLOGY AND LOCAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMER FILMS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Leggett, Professor G |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Centre for Materials & Surface Analysis |
| Organisation: |
UMIST |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 April 1998 |
Ends: |
30 September 2001 |
Value (£): |
139,573
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Scanning Force Microscopy (SFM) offers unique possibilities for the characterisation of polymer topography and mechanical properties on the nanometre scale. However, in order to realise this potential it is necessary to have a much better understanding of the nature of SFM tip-sample interactions. the present proposal seeks to explore mechanical tip-sample interactions with polyester films in detail. Tip-induced wear phenomena will be explored while controlling a range of variables, including tip geometry, load and scan rate. The resulting morphology will be characterised and an attempt will be made to formulate a model for the tip-sample interaction. Conditions under which the imaging of polymers in contact mode is non-disruptive will be defined. The ability to create single scratches using the SFM tip will be developed as a means of modelling tribological processes. The feasibility of attaching particles to the tip and subsequently exploring their abrasive effects under controlled conditions will be explored. The information provided by force modulation and lateral force techniques will be explored and the influence of key experimental parameters on the resulting data will be evaluated. It is hoped to develop SFM into a powerful probe for polymer surface mechanical properties.
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Key Findings |
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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Impacts |
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| Description |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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