On the mechanism of fragmentation of metallic coating under deformation ofthermoplastic polymer support

The process of fragmentation of a thin (4-20 nm) platinum coating upon tens ile drawing of polymer support (amorphous PET) was studied by the methods o f scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. In this system, the fragmentation proceeds as a successive disintegration of the formed fr agments into two equal parts. This phenomenon is shown to be related to a s pecific transfer of mechanical stress from support to coating during the pr ocess of deformation. This experimental approach may serve as an effective method for studying the fine details and specific features of the mechanism of plastic deformation of solid bodies.