Electron microscopy techniques, micromechanical processes

Most of these micromechanical processes are highly localized and depend strongly on the local morphology. Therefore, direct imaging by electron microscopy techniques with a high local resolution are of particular importance, and most of our knowledge of rubber toughening arises from the application of such techniques (2,36-38). 

To study the influence of these structural parameters on the micromechanical mechanisms of toughening, several techniques of electron microscopy were used. Electron microscopic techniques allow investigations not only of detailed morphology but also of the micromechanical processes of deformation and fracture (3, 9-11). 

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