Another factor for the observed (apparent) inconsistency in property change is a systematic error originating from the choice of the cantilever in the AFM experiment. The cantilever used in the AFM experiments was chosen in accordance with the stiffness of SBR weathered for 504 h. The same cantilever was used to probe the rather soft unaged SBR, which could have led to penetration of the cantilever tip into the specimen.