Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, Vol.46, No.18, 1952-1965, 2008
Creep behavior of ultra-thin polymer films
A novel microbubble inflation method has been used to determine the creep compliance of poly(vinyl acetate) and polystyrene ultra-thin films (13-300 nm thick) at temperatures from below to above the glass temperature. We present results that suggest that time-temperature and time-thickness superposition hold in the glassy relaxation regime. Although time-temperature superposition is found for the entire response curve for each thickness, we also find that time-thickness superposition fails as the long-time compliance is approached. This effect occurs because of a strong stiffening as the film thickness decreases. We also show first evidence of stiffening in the glassy regime of free standing films of polystyrene. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keywords:creep;creep compliance;glass transition;mechanical properties;membrane inflation;nanomechanics;rheology;rubbery compliance;thin films;ultrathin polymer films;viscoelasticity