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 Si3N4 AFM 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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Khurshudov et al. (1995) studied this question.