Posted on 14/10/2010

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have published work on nanoindentation and creep studies of polypropylene acquired using their NanoTest system. Measurements were carried out over a range of temperatures, from room temperature (25°C), through the glass transition temperature (-18°C), right down to -30°C.

Hardness and elastic modulus values were seen to increase as test temperature decreased, and the extent of creep behaviour also decreased as sample temperature fell.

The sub-ambient stage of the NanoTest cools both the indenter and the sample, ensuring isothermal contact. This minimises drift and makes creep studies possible.

Reference 

A study of low temperature mechanical properties and creep behaviour of polypropylene using a new sub-ambient temperature nanoindentation test platform, J. Chen et al, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 43 (2010) 425404