Nanoindentation on polycarbonate/polymethyl methacrylate Blends

The combination of a scanning force microscope(SFM) with an integrated microindenter makes it possible to investigate mechanical properties of polymers and their blended systems with high spatial resolution. The behaviour of the polymers polycarbonate(PC), polymethyl methacry- late (PMMA), and PC=PMMA blends were investigated using nanoindentationwith different mechanical load, fre- quency, and development of inelastic deformation with time. The results of the microscopicmeasurements were compared with macroscopic properties from tensile testexperiments. The relation of the Young's moduli of the macroscopic and microscopictests of the neat polymers are comparable.