Mechanical Properties of Thin Free-Standing CYTOP Membranes

Abstract

Mechanical bulge testing of thin free-standing CYTOP membranes for use with surface plasmon polariton (SPP) biosensors was conducted. Curve fitting of experimental data to a known deflection model allowed for the extraction of a Young's modulus of 1.3 ± 0.1 GPa and residual stress of 16.9 ± 1.3 MPa. The fracture stress for the membranes was observed to be 96.9 ± 8.4 MPa, which occurs at the membrane edges.