Volume increase phenomena in reciprocal scratching of polycarbonate studied by atomic force microscopy

Abstract
An atomic force microscope(AFM) was used to study the microwear process of polycarbonate (PC).Testing included line scratching of the polymer surface using a microfabricated Si3N4AFM tip of 10–20 nm radius. Interfacial adhesion,friction, the effect of the number of scratches, and scanning speed were studied. Unlike previous reports, projections as a result of polycarbonate apparent volume increase have been observed after reciprocal scratching on the same track (without an AFM tip lateral feed). In spite of analytically predicted elastic/plastic contact, no plastic deformation was found during the tests. A model, based on the formation of cracks and their growth was suggested to explain these phenomena. No viscoelastic/plastic behavior (scanning speed effect on friction or microwear) was found.

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