Abstract
Based on experimental evidence it is concluded that scanning force microscope (SFM) csn be used to study polymer deformation and small-scale relaxation at the surface. The 'elastically' deformed films relax considerably. at a temperature well below glass transition temperature. forming large surface fluctuations. At crazed regions in aged PS films, an unexpectedly large surface depression was found. The total depression from both sides accounts for more than 80% of the total film thickness.