Surface Deformations of Polymers induced by a Pendulum Scratch Machine

The experimental study describes the surface deformations of polymers produced through penetration depth dependent scratches produced under different applied normal loads and using rigid conical indenters. The surface deformation of the scratched polymers was determined using an SEM (scanning electron microscope). The deformation mechanisms were observed to be manipulated by imposed experimental conditions; such as the normal load, the contact angle, the nominal scratching velocity and the temperature. The polymers are seen to be deformed by ironing, elastic, viscoelastic-plastic ploughing and brittle mechanisms. Along with these surface damages a fibrillation of semicrystalline polymers is also reported when the polymeric surfaces were subjected to most severe contact conditions during scratching.