[4] García-Gutiérrez, M.C., Gourrier, A., Riekel, C. (2004) Investigation of structural processes during indentation of polymers by synchrotron radiation microdiffraction, J. Macro. Sci. B 43, 267-277.

Abstract:  A Vickers microindentation setup has been integrated into the scanning setup used at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) microfocus beamline (ID 13). Ex situ wide-angle x-ray scattering experiments performed on an isotactic polypropylene (iPP) single fiber show changes in chain orientation and breakup of the monoclinic α-modification into domains due to plastic deformation in the indented zone. The systematic mapping of the perturbed zone allows spatially dependant structural changes to be determined. Similar experiments for a Vectra single fiber show a partial transformation of the pseudohexagonal phase into the orthorhombic phase. In situ experiments allow following structural changes as a function of time and applied force. During indentation of an iPP fiber, domain doubling during indentation andsingle domain recovery after the tip has been retracted is observed.. Full text (if subscribed) or Ask me.