Micro-SAXS and force/strain measurements during the tensile deformation ofsingle struts of an elastomeric polyurethane foam

A microdeformation stage based on a piezoelectric crystal actuator capable of measuring the force applied to micrometre-sized polymeric samples is des cribed. Laboratory force/strain measurements on a single strut of an elasto meric polyurethane foam have been conducted for the first time. The device has also been used on the microfocus beamline at the European Synchrotron R adiation Facility to collect microbeam small-angle X-ray scattering data si multaneously with strain and force measurements during the time-resolved te nsile deformation of a single strut of elastomeric polyurethane foam.