Mechanical Property Mapping
Nanomechanical contact resonance spectra that can be used to differentiate materials based on their viscoelastic properties
Lorentz Contact Resonance (LCR) creates nanomechanical contact resonance spectra that can be used to differentiate materials based on their viscoelastic properties. LCR maps the distribution of multiple components of a sample, and allows precise location of the probe for subsequent chemical and/or thermal analysis. Since LCR uses proprietary self-heating ThermaLever™ probes, it can also rapidly measure temperature-dependent variations in a sample’s mechanical properties. The technique has provided exciting results for:
- Polymer blends
- Multilayer films
- Composite materials
- Life sciences
Polymer Blends
Height (left) and Lorentz Contact Resonance images (center and right) of a blend of polystyrene (PS) and low density polyethylene (LDPE). The LCR images were obtained at two different contact resonance frequencies corresponding to strong resonances of the PS (center) and LDPE (right). The Lorentz Contact Resonance technique makes it simple to perform component selective imaging in polymer blends.
Multilayer Films
Nanothermal analysis (left) and Lorentz Contact Resonance image (right) on a multilayer film. The LCR image clearly separates discriminates the polymer layers such that local glass transition temperatures can be measured on specific layers.
Composite Materials
Height (left) and Lorentz Contact Resonance amplitude (center) and phase (right) images on a composite material. The LCR amplitude and phase images clearly distinguish different components in the composite as well as highlighting surface stress features in the LCR amplitude image.
Life Sciences
Height (top) and Lorentz Contact Resonance composite image (bottom) of wood cell walls. The bottom image is a three color overlay obtained at three different contact resonance frequencies selected to highlight the different wood cell components. Lee, B.; Prater, C. B.; King, W. P. Nanotechnology 2012, 23, 055709.
