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

Compositional mapping of a polyester film surface, Mylar D, was performed utilizing a combination of scanning force microscopy techniques. Lateral force microscopy revealed that additives embedded in the surface had a lower coefficient of friction than the surrounding polymeric material. Force–volume imaging showed that they were less adhesive. Tapping mode and phase imaging revealed that the additives affect the local microstructure of the polymer surface. Their presence directs the orientation in the surrounding polymer; the small features (possibly crystallites) at the polymer surface are oriented virtually parallel to the nearest edge of the silicate inclusions. Force modulation microscopy and phase imaging at moderate tapping both show that the additives are stiffer than the surrounding polymer regions.