Micromechanical properties on the surface of PVC/SBR blends spatially resolved by a nanoindentation technique

The microhardness and micromodulus on the surface of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) blends were determined using a nanolndenter. A flat surface was obtained by microtoming the sample at - 100°C in liquid nitrogen. Dozens of indents along a line with a spatial interval of 0.5 μm were performed. From the loading and unloading curves of each indentation, the stiffnesses of the unloading curve and the contact area between the sample and the indenter were evaluated, and the local modulus and hardness were calculated. Profiles of the local hardness and modulus were obtained from the lines of indents. Pure PVC and a miscible PVC/acrylonitrile- butadiene rubber (NBR) (40/10) blend showed constant modulus and hardness values. In the case of an immiscible PVC/SBR (50/50) blend, which has a morphology of elongated PVC droplets in the SBR matrix, the hardness and modulus profiles showed regions of the different phases. At the interface between the SBR and PVC phases, a step change in the modulus and hardness profiles was observed. The force required to deform the material at the same displacement increased systematically across the interface from the SBR to the PVC phase because of the increasing contribution of the PVC phase.