Introduction to Scratch Testing Nanovea Scratch Tester The Nanovea Series ofScratch and Micro Scratch Industrial testers are ideal instruments for characterizing the adhesive properties of industrial coatings, ranging from plasma processed layers used in semiconductor and optical technology, to decorative and protective coatings used for automobile parts and consumer goods.The Micro Scratch andScratch Tester’s ability to characterize the film/substrate system and to quantify param- eters such as friction force and adhesive strength, using a variety of complementary methods, makes it an invaluable tool for research, development and quality control.During the test a sharp metal tip or a Rockwell Cdiamond is drawn across the coated surface with an increasing load resulting in various types of failure at specific critical loads. Critical loads are identified optically using a built-in video microscope. Once known, these critical loads are used to quantify the adhesive and cohe- sive properties of different films/substrate combinations.Additionally, failure points can be determined by usingfrictional force and optional acoustic emission. These parameters constitute a unique signature of the coating system under test. A unique feature of the Nanovea Scratch Tester andMicro Scratch Tester is the user friendly automatic Z approach which eliminates the need for manually lowering the tip to the surface. The combination of a high Z clearance (up to 12 cm) and an open structure allows testing of larger samples up to 22 cm (10 cm for full surface test coverage) by 60 cm (19 cm).Operation is simple, users place the sample on theplatform and instruct the instrument to begin testing regardless of the indenter’s height. The tip automatically lowers to the sample surface and detects the contact force via a load cell, testing then commences.Users can also bring the measuring head to the samplesurface using a directional button located on the front of the instrument panel.The instrument can be equipped with an optional Ymotorized table which allows mapping of multiple scratches. Directional buttons for the X/Y motorized table are located on the side panel for easy positioning. The Nanovea Scratch Tester isan affordable scratch testing instrument using proven scratch testing methods for characterizing the adhesive properties of thick coatings and the resistance of bulk materials. With the force range of 0.3 to 200 N, the Nanovea Scratch Tester is suitable for observation of adhesive properties on a wide range of coatings from plasma processed layers used in paint technology, to ceramic or hard coatings, such as those in the tooling industry. Nanovea Micro Scratch Tester The Nanovea Micro Scratch Tester, with a range of 0.04to 30 N, offers a comprehensive method of quantifying the adhesion properties of thinner coatings. Examples include applications such as: pharmacological pills/tablets, optical components such as contact lenses and consumer goodsincluding paint, touch screens and windows.The long scratch path andprecise load control makes the Nanovea Micro Scratch Tester an important tool for the study of crack initiation and marring applications on a wide array of polymers. Options An optional optical sensor can be installed to allowprofiling of the depth of the scratch, allowing pile up studies. This same sensor can be used in a full 3D Non- Contact Profiler to give a detailed image and to allow study of the pile-up around the full length of the scratch.For high/low tempera-ture studies, a heating/ cooling plate is available for tests from -120 ºC to 400 ºC. An optional container is also available for tests under liquid. Custom sample holders and indenters are available for specific applications. For example, smooth spherical balls can be used for the precise measurement of coefficient of friction.