MICRO-SCRATCH TEST FOR ADHESION EVALUATION OF THIN-FILMS

In tribological applications, surface properties govern performance, and hence the utilization of coatings to tailor properties has become an essential component of materials technology. The most critical requirement for such coatings is adequate adhesion. Therefore, the need to measure coating/substrate interfacial strength and to characterize the factors influencing it is critical. However, the most common method currently used to characterize adhesion-the scratch test-is inadequate because it does not really measure adhesion. It is indicative of a relative measure of coating durability, which can be useful, at best, for quality control purposes. Consequently, the need for a test that can more accurately determine the adhesion characteristics of thin films is imperative. The development of a micro-scratch test and how it addresses some of the deficiencies of the conventional scratch test are discussed.