Heterogeneous polymer-containing films: a comparison of macroscopic properties with microscopic properties determined by atomic force microscopy

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the extent to which a quantitative and automatic analysis of the surface properties of heterogeneous polymer-containing films such as paints is possible by atomic force microscopy. Therefore, paints based on different dispersions were investigated. Force–distance curves were measured automatically at 64×64 points of the samples. From the analysis of these force curves, a distribution of properties such as local elasticity, adhesion and penetration depth were obtained. Peaks in these distributions could be correlated with specific regions in the film such as binder or pigment. Peaks corresponding to the binder correlated with macroscopic properties such as glass transition temperature, tack and ball pressure hardness. In addition, from topographic images the roughness was calculated. As the roughness increases, the gloss decreases.