Scratch Tester

There is a growing trend towards the use of modified surfaces for improved performance and life of components. Modifications are invariably in the form of coatings on base material. They are deposited by electroplating, vapor phase deposition, diffusion, thermal spray or welding. Coatings need to be characterized for parameters like scratch resistance, critical load, adhesion and nature of damage under high stress. The Scratch Tester by Ducom facilitates these measurements over a wide range of parameters.

Applications

• Critical load of hard and brittle coatings like titanium nitride, ceramics
• Determination of working load limit of soft coatings like PTFE and other polymers.
• Identification of process parameters of heat treatment for best scratch resistance
• Estimation of bond strength at substrate – coating interface
• Product development and quality control of surface engineered products