Tribological analysis of glass fibers using atomic force microscopy (AFM)/lateral force microscopy (LFM)

By using atomic force microscopy (AFM)/lateral force microscopy (LFM), a comparative study of the topography as well as the tribological properties (at a micrometer scale) of sized E-glass fibers was done. Normal and lateral deflection signals are recorded when an AFM tip scans a fiber surface. Friction force data were obtained from the forward and backward scans of lateral force images whose contrasts reveal differences in friction coefficient values and, hence, surface chemical heterogeneity of certain-sized glass fibers. Sizes having an epoxy film former lead to a higher friction coefficient value than those containing a starch film former. Moreover, the epoxy-containing size is more readily plowed by the AFM tip. Annealing of this size lowers its friction coefficient. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1013–1025, 2000