Scratch resistant coatings become required, above all, for the protection of transparent polymers (PMMA, PC, PS, PET); whereas conventional, hard lacquer-based coatings are often unsuitable or too expensive.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technical Science and Applied Material Research (IFAM) in Bremen, Germany has developed scratch resistant layers; which become precipitated out of the gaseous phase through plasma polymerization as thin, high cross-linked and therefore hard layers. They are suitable above all for the application in the area of lighter and middle scratch strain because of their small thickness (up to a few m m). As compared to layers that are being manufactured with other procedures, advantages of this method consist in lower costs and further the flexibility concerning the material adaptation, the profile simulation, the adhesive bonding and welding ability and the possibility of the combination with other layer function s(i.e. defined surface energy). The procedure is principally applicable for random dimensions (displays or windows).
The coating costs, for personnel
intensive work pieces (i.e. handy displays), lays in the range of 50-150
€/m2.
Scratch resistant layer on a polycarbonate pane. The fields that are recognized as letters are uncoated. After treatment with a sponge it becomes obvious that these fields are more severely attacked than the coated fields.
Within the bounds of its function as service provider in technology transfer, IFAM offers its resources for the processing of the above-mentioned industrial questions up to series production. Our service comprises consultation, process development, sampling and industrial installation through pilot terotechnology.
Contact:
Dipl.
phys. Klaus Vissing
phone: +49 (0)421/ 2246 - 428
fax:
+49 (0)421/ 2246 - 430
e-mail: vi@ifam.fhg.de
