SCRATCH TESTERS ON THE APPLICATION TO THE ADHESION MEASUREMENT OF THIN COATINGS

Two models of scratch testers developed recently are applied to the adhesion measurement of thin coatings. In both models the critical load is determined from the frictional irregularity when coated surface is broken in the scratching process. One model is effective for coatings thicker than 1m and the other for thin coatings down to $0.1\mu\textrm{m}$. The mechanism and the measurement principle of these testers are described. High sensitivity and good reproducibility of the measurement are attained primarily by the employment of new detection devices. These testers are even more useful for the quality control and the inspection of commercial products of coatings because only a small area of specimen is required for the test.