Statistical Analysis of Peak Force Atomic Force Microscopy Data for the Interphase Thickness and Modulus in Carbon Fiber–Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites Exposed to Different Heat and Humidity Levels

Heat and moisture influence the interphase properties of polymer matrix composite significantly. The composite samples were exposed to different levels of heat and moisture. The advanced peak force–based quantitative nanomechanics mapping technique with the Derjaguin-Muller-Toropov (DMT) model was used to investigate the interphase at the submicron-scale and nanoscale. The interphase’s width and elastic modulus depend on its location, degree of...