Novel characterisation methods for Polymer Applications

Combinatorial methods are being used increasingly to develop the next generation of polymers, coatings and adhesive formulations. Allied to this approach, a new genre of measurement and characterization methods are emerging. These characterization techniques are required to handle and take measurements from small samples. This has led to a number of uses for this technology which usefully fall between convention test specimen and micro- or nano-scale test methods. A versatile measurement platform will be presented which can offer useful indentation, puncture, compression, adhesion and scratch resistance data for a wide variety of material types and that continues to develop and evolve in capability.