Nanoindentation: An emerging technique for polymer surface mechanical characterization

Abstract

Polymer surfaces are the phase boundaries that reside between the bulk polymer and the outer environments. For many applications they have to be modified using physical or chemical processes to achieve the desired functional properties. Examples are biomedical, automobile, microelectronic or packaging applications. While the driving force of surface modification is generally the functional properties, good surface and global mechanical properties are necessary in most applications. Surface analytical methodologies have already been well established, but mechanical characterization of polymeric surfaces is still a subject of debate.