Worm-like delamination patterns of thin stainless steel films on polycarbonate substrates

Thin films of type 304L stainless steel on polycarbonate substrates have be en deformed under uniaxial compression up to 1.9% to generate straight-side d wrinkles perpendicular to the compression axis. On release of the externa l stress, these buckling patterns evolve to telephone cords. The elastic en ergy Variation associated with the buckling of the film, after the decohesi on of the film from the substrate, has been determined and the different st ages of delamination discussed.