Elastic modulus, indentation pressure and fracture toughness of hybrid coatings on glass

The indentation load-displacement behavior of an organic-inorganic hybrid c oating was tested using a Berkovich indenter in an attempt to offer a simpl e and fast method to analyze the mechanical properties of a coating. The co atings were deposited using a spin-coating technique. The elastic modulus a nd the indentation pressure as a measure of the hardness were determined on the basis of the load-displacement curve. The effects of the coating thick ness and the coating preparation conditions were investigated. Cracks, dela mination and chipping were observed and were used to assess the fracture to ughness of the coating and the interface. Elastic modulus, indentation pres sure and the fracture toughness were dependent on the time elapsed before a pplication of the coating fluid and on the curing temperature. (C) 2000 Els evier Science S.A. All rights reserved.