Frictional, adhesive and mechanical properties of polyester films probed by scanning force microscopy

Compositional mapping of a polyester film surface, Mylar D, tvas performed utilizing a combination of scanning force microscopy techniques, Lateral fo rce microscopy revealed that additives embedded in the surface had a lower coefficient of friction than the surrounding polymeric material, Force-volu me imaging showed that they were less adhesive, Tapping mode and phase imag ing revealed that the additives affect the local microstructure of the poly mer surface, Their presence directs the orientation in the surrounding poly mer; the small features (possibly crystallites) at the polymer surface are oriented virtually parallel to the nearest edge of the silicate inclusions. Force modulation microscopy anti phase imaging at moderate tapping both sh ow that the additives are stiffer than the surrounding polymer regions. Cop yright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.