Yu, Hye Hyun Lim, Jung-Ah Lee, Kang-Bong Lee, Yeonhee 2024-01-19T15:00:37Z 2024-01-19T15:00:37Z 2021-09-05 2021-05 2073-4360 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/117086 Researchers have widely investigated Oriental lacquers to identify the chemical composition and have elucidated corresponding polymerization mechanisms using rigorous analytical techniques. However, researchers generally test the physical properties of Oriental lacquers by conventional methods that are perhaps overly simplistic. Here, we propose accurate and quantitative methods for evaluating the physical properties of Korean, Vietnamese, and Myanmarese lacquer films using atomic force microscopy (AFM), a nanoindenter, and a 90 degrees peel tester. We obtained surface images of the lacquers in accordance with drying time using scanning electron microscopy and AFM. The Korean lacquer film exhibited fast hardening speed, enhanced hardness, and strong adhesion strength compared with the other lacquers, although the Myanmarese lacquer film had a smoother surface than the Korean lacquer film. We used our characterization approach for evaluating a mixed Korean/Myanmarese (50/50 w/w) lacquer. Our proposed measurement techniques for Oriental lacquer films provided results that agreed with qualitative results from conventional tests. Force-distance curves in AFM and force-displacement with nanoindenter for Oriental lacquer films showed more accurate and quantitative data on the mechanical properties. Thus, researchers will find our approach useful when they optimize the chemical compositions and improve the physical properties of Oriental lacquer films for industrial applications. English MDPI POLYMERIZATION MECHANISM URUSHI FILMS TREE SAP Improved Measurements of the Physical Properties of Oriental Lacquers Using Atomic Force Microscopy and a Nanoindenter Article 10.3390/polym13091395 1 POLYMERS, v.13, no.9 POLYMERS 13 9 scie scopus 000650712100001 2-s2.0-85105759421 Polymer Science Polymer Science Article POLYMERIZATION MECHANISM URUSHI FILMS TREE SAP Oriental lacquer natural polymer physical properties atomic force microscopy nanoindenter