Author(s)

I. Demirci, C. Gauthier & R. Schirrer

Abstract

Scratching of polymeric coatings: experimental study and mechanical analysis I. Demirci, C. Gauthier & R. Schirrer Institut Charles Sadron, CNRS UPR 22, Strasbourg, France Abstract Coating with polymers is a common way of improving the scratch resistance of polymeric glasses. It is generally accepted that the critical load generating the fnst damage in a scratch test is representative of the behaviour of the coating. As the properties of polymers are time and temperature dependent, a single value of the critical load nevertheless cannot describe the overall mechanical response. A new scratch apparatus has been built that allows scratchng velocities in the range 1 to lo4 pmls at temperatures varying from -70 to +120°C. The unique feature of ths experimental set-up is a built-in imaging system to record realtime pictures of the in-situ contact during scratching. Damage to the coating can thus be observed during the process. In the case of optical coatings, if damage occurs then cracking appears b

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