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Tappi J., 78(10),173-176(1995).

Stylus Profilometry: marking by the stylus

TOSHIHARU ENOMAE AND PIERRE LEPOUTRE
PAPER SURFACE SCIENCE PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
ORONO, ME 04469
USA

ABSTRACT

To examine if one can record unperturbed surface profile of paper using stylus profilometry, stylus marking on papers was checked in SEM after stylus scans under various conditions with respect to load and radius of curvature of the stylus. Calculations of the pressure at the contact surface resulted that marking was found with the critical mean pressure lying at between 23.3 and 52.0 MPa for cast-coated paper. Uncoated wood-free paper seemed to be less easily damaged by the stylus and it was difficult to determine the critical pressure. By careful choice of stylus radius and load conditions for the particular surface, one can ensure that there is no permanent deformation and thus assume that one is recording the "unperturbed" profile, although elastic deformations can still occur.