Quantitative evaluation of scratch visibility of polymers

What is it about?

A new methodology is developed to quantitatively determine the onset of scratch visibility of polymers via an inexpensive desktop scanner. Taking into account the sample background color, texture, gloss and feature size, the proposed methodology can consistently and reliably determine polymer scratch visibility resistance regardless of the sample surface characteristics. Good correlation is found between this method and actual human perception.

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Why is it important?

Scratch visibility resistance has become one of the most important performance requirements of polymers for applications where surface aesthetics is essential such as housings for consumer electronics and interior parts for automobiles. The proposed approach will greatly assist the development of scratch-resistant polymeric materials where surface aesthetics is of primary concern.