Abstract
The current status of quantitative elastic modulus evaluation of soft-materials, which is based on atomic force microscopy, is described together with planned ISO standardization activity. Force-displacement curves on the surfaces of soft-materials are measured in this procedure. The emphasis will be placed on how Hertz or Derjaguin-Muller-Toporov (DMT) contact mechanics fails to fit the experimental curves and alternatively how Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) model can solve the problem. To obtain a two-dimensional map of elastic modulus based on the above-mentioned analysis, so-called force-volume technique is employed. Several examples will be shown including vulcanized isoprene rubber and high-density polyethylene.
