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Imaging with field emission SEM is a standard method for the investigation of polymeric membranes. But a metalisation of the sample is necessary. Therefore radiation damages from the coating process can change the membrane surface structure during the pretreatment duration.Samples with variable pretreatment and metal layers with different thickness were imaged by means of SFM in the constant force mode and tapping mode as well as by pneumatic SFM. The results presented show that the coating process could change the membrane structure from network-like to nodular structures and the SEM images seem to deliver false information about the surface of the original membrane.