Scanning force microscopy of polyolefinic rubbers in homopolypropylene matrices

Multiphase polyolefins are important materials for industrial applications because of the range of mechanical properties obtainable as a function of nature and composition of the constitutive polymers, We have investigated the phase dispersion of crystalline and amorphous components by atomic force microscopy in the force modulation mode. This technique is able to detect the presence of the olefinic components by means of their elasticity difference. Data concerning a number of different blends are presented and compared to TEM micrographs, where constrast can be obtained exclusively by sample treatment with heavy elements.