Characterization of Polymeric Materials Using a Scanning Acoustic Microscope

Abstract

The surface and internal structure of polymeric materials were characterized using an ultrasonic microscope. A relatively low-frequency range from several hertz to 100MHz, which has a transmission power of several mm, permitted data to be collected on not only surface but also internal structure, enabling voids, cracks and craze to be detected and observed easily. A higher frequency range above 100MHz permitted finer microstructures to be observed, enabling spatial distributions from the surface to the interiors of morphology of polymer blends to be evaluated. Using sound velocity measurements, one of the functions of an ultrasonic microscope, also enabled changes of anisotropy and elasticity in the localized portions to be determined quantitatively.