AFM of talc filled impact-modified polypropylene material.

Applications 1 | 2

Leica EM UC6

The sample was prepared using the special AFM sample holder. The clamped sample was cryoultramicrotomed using a Leica Ultracut S with FCS cryochamber at a temperture of -100°C. Temperature settings were the same for Tknife, Tspecimen and Tgas. A Diatome diamond knife with a 35° angle and an AFM quality diamond-surface was used. The AFM phase contrast image shows a polypropylene matrix with dark dispersed phase containing an included phase. The dispersed phase is the impact modifier, present in a polypropylene matrix. Besides these polymeric phases also a bright particle can be seen, which is a talc particle. The orientation of the dispersed phase in due to the processing of the material and is not related with the sample preparation. Courtesy of: G. Bar, Dow Benelux B.V. Analytical Sciences, Terneuzen, The Netherlands, Bob Vastenhout, Dow Benelux B.V. Analytical Sciences, Terneuzen, The Netherlands