RAMAN MAPPING OF THE MICRODEFORMED ZONE PRODUCED BY VICKERS AND KNOOPMICROINDENTATION TECHNIQUES IN POLY(VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE)

Raman microspectroscopy was used to follow the crystalline phase trans formation produced when Knoop and Vickers microindentations are made i n poly(vinylidene fluoride). An evolution of the degree of crystalline phase transformation was observed along the microindentations which c an be schematized into three regions. A high gradient in the degree of crystalline transformation was detected near the centre of the indent ation, whereas Raman microanalysis of the region near the edges of the impression did not indicate a significant variation in the crystallin e phase modification. An explanation for these observations is propose d.