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The electron microanalyzer (EPMA): a powerful device for the microanalysis of filled polymeric materials
Author(s) -
Bellayer S.,
Jimenez M.,
Gardelle B.,
Delaplace G.,
Bouquerel J.,
Duquesne S.,
Bourbigot S.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.3523
Subject(s) - electron microprobe , materials science , polymer , scanning electron microscope , analytical chemistry (journal) , spectrometer , resolution (logic) , microanalysis , coating , chemical engineering , composite material , optics , metallurgy , chemistry , chromatography , physics , organic chemistry , artificial intelligence , computer science , engineering
The electron probe microanalyzer is a device often used in the field of geology or in the glass and steel industries. However, it is barely known or used in the polymer field. Thus, in this paper, we investigate the use of electron probe microanalyzer for polymer microanalyses and compared it with a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer. To show the unique potential of this technique only develop in our lab for polymer application, three different samples were studied: (i) a fire protective epoxy‐based coating submitted to aging in salt water, (ii) the distribution of organometallic catalysts into a thermal isolative silicone polymer, and (iii) the fouling growth of milk protein (biopolymer) on a stainless steel surface. Compared to an energy dispersive spectrometer, with an electron probe microanalyzer it is possible to quickly create X‐ray mappings of low concentration elements at a good resolution, as well as allowing the interpretation of the mechanism of action for the three samples which was impossible using only an energy dispersive spectrometer because of its too low detection resolution. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.