Introduction to the
Micro Module Scratch
Tester
 The
Nanovea Micro Scratch Tester is the ideal instrument for characterizing the adhesive properties of thick coatings and the resistance of bulk materials, offering a range of 0.04 to 40 N. Scratch-testing with a Nanovea Micro Scratch Tester is a comprehensive method of quantifying the adhesion properties of thinner coatings including applications such as pharmacological pills/tablets, contact lenses, paint, touch-screens, and windows. The ability to characterize the film-substrate system and to quantify parameters such as friction force and adhesion strength, using a variety of complementary methods, makes the tester an invaluable tool for research, development, and quality control. The technique involves generating a controlled scratch, with a diamond tip, on the sample under test. The tip, either a Rockwell C diamond or a sharp metal tip, is drawn across the coated surface with a constant or progressive load. At a certain critical load, the coating will start to fail. The critical loads are detected very precisely by means of an acoustic sensor attached to the indenter holder, the frictional force, and optical microscopy. Once known, the critical loads are used to quantify the adhesive properties of different film-substrate combinations that constitute a unique signature of the coating system being tested. The long scratch path and precise load control make the Nanovea Micro Scratch Tester an important tool for the study of crack initiation and marring applications on a wide array of polymers.
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