The mechanical properties of thin polymer films from nanoindentation

The thermomechanical properties of thermoset polymeric materials are shown to be suitable for detecting relevant degradative processes in the matrix of a fibre composite. In space environments, the surface of the material will be modified first because of the diffusion of the active molecules. Nanoindentation has been shown to be capable of determining changes in viscoelastic properties of thin polymer films and at surfaces of bulk material. The Hysitron Triboscope has been used to characterise an epoxy resin and polycyanurate in dynamic and static scanning modes. Dynamic nanoindentation has been shown to provide a full description of the viscoelastic response. Progress has been made in analysing static indentation for time dependence.