Adhesion Forces at High Temperatures – An Atomic Force Microscopy Study Using Two Particle Systems

Adhesive forces of micrometer‐sized alumina (Al2O3) and polystyrene (PS) particles are investigated under elevated temperatures using a high‐temperature atomic force microscope, where the smooth contact partner is heated. In the case of Al2O3 particles, only van der Waals interactions occur. The adhesive forces between PS particles and heated contact surface increase strongly starting from the glass transition temperature. An initial flattening of the particles up to melting at the contact point was detected. The adhesion forces can be described by means of a semi‐empirical equation.