Observations on interphase characterisation in polymer composites by nano-scale indentation and the use of AFM cantilever torsion to identify measurement artefacts

The results presented in this paper explore the extent to which indentation in the interfacial region of polymer composites can be used to identify, unambiguously, an interphase of distinct elastic properties. Supporting evidence is presented in the form of AFM-indentation in the interfacial region of two polymer composites, a glass fibre-reinforced vinylester and a glass flake-reinforced polypropylene, where a transition region of measurement artefact is revealed as opposed to a physically distinct interphase. The conclusions from these tests are augmented by further work on a glass fibre-reinforced phenolic using a new in-situ method of identifying measurement artefacts.