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Ultrathin Adhesives: Confinement Effect on Modulus
Published
Author(s)
Jessica M. Torres, Christopher Stafford, Bryan D. Vogt
Abstract
In this work, we will employ this wrinkling metrology to extract the modulus of polymer thin films for a homologous series of poly(n-alkyl methacrylate)s. In particular, we take advantage of the decrease in Tg as the alkyl chain length increases for these methacrylates. Since our wrinkling measurements are conducted at room temperature, the quench depth (T-Tg) in the polymer film is varied by using different polymers. This systematic series allows us to ascertain the effect of quench depth into the glass on the modulus of these ultrathin films. Bohme and de Pablo predicted that the modulus of nanoconfined polymers decreases even at temperatures well below Tg [8]. Additionally as Tg is approached, they predict an increase in the length scale at which the decreased modulus occurs [8]. This study aims to experimentally examine these predictions.
Torres, J.
, Stafford, C.
and Vogt, B.
(2009),
Ultrathin Adhesives: Confinement Effect on Modulus, 32nd Annual Meeting of the Adhesion Society, Savannah, GA, US, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=900945
(Accessed October 1, 2025)