Application of scanning tunnelling microscopy to the study of fracture morphology of polycarbonate

Fracture tests were conducted on compact tension specimens of polycarbonate. The general morphology of the resulting fast, unstable fracture was analysed using optical and scanning electron microscopes. A technique was developed to enable the use of scanning tunnelling microscopy for studying the detailed fracture morphology of polycarbonate and other non-conducting materials. This technique yielded high-resolution pictures of the various regions on the fracture surface of polycarbonate. It also provided invaluable, quantitative descriptions of the step heights associated with the recesses, protrusions and other features on the fracture surface.