Applied Physics Letters · 2004 · 24 citations · 8 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceMechanical Behavior Of MaterialsPolymer MaterialsRadiation PhysicsDamage MechanicsElastomeric PolymersPolymer Thin FilmsRadiation Damage In MaterialsRadiation HardeningStrain HardeningDeformation BehaviorIon Beam IrradiationIrradiation ConditionsNanoindentationPolyimidesRadiation Damage MechanismsTensile StrengthYoung's Modulus
We study nanoindentation hardness, Young’s modulus, and tensile strength of polyimide (Kapton H) films bombarded with MeV light ions in the predominantly electronic stopping power regime. Results show that, for all the ion irradiation conditions studied, bombardment increases the hardness and Young’s modulus and decreases the tensile strength. These changes depend close to linearly on ion fluence and superlinearly (with a power-law exponent factor of ∼1.5) on electronic energy loss. Physical mechanisms of radiation-induced changes to mechanical properties of polyimide are discussed.
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