Coating Characterization

For the development and application of suitable coating systems, precise and reproducible determination of the relevant key characteristics is required. In addition to standard methods, specially developed procedures are used, for which there is a deep methodological understanding. The scope of characterization also includes tribological investigations (Group Tribological Systems) and laser-ultrasonic methods (LAwave^®).

Range of Services

We Offer:

• Characterization of CVD and PVD coatings
• Characterization of thermally sprayed and laser-cladded layers
• Special expertise for superhard amorphous carbon coatings (ta-C)
• Contact-mechanical application analyses for properly dimensioned experimental de-sign
• Failure analysis
• Consulting and development of quality assurance concepts

We Investigate:

Hardness and Young’s modulus (E-modulus), adhesion, friction and wear, coating thickness, residual stress, roughness (2D, 3D), metrological surface defect analysis, bonding structure (e.g., sp3 content), microstructure, chemical composition
 

For this We Employ: 

• Scratch test with applied force ranges up to 2, 30, and 100 N
• Instrumented hardness testing with force ranges 0.01…2 N and 0.1…10 N at temperatures up to 400 °C
• Various indenter shapes and radii, tailored to the specific question
• Laser-ultrasonic surface-wave spectroscopy (LAwave^®)
• Tactile and optical profilometry for deflec-tion and roughness measurement
• Calotte grinding process
• Raman spectroscopy
• Software for contact-mechanical simulation (FilmDoctor)
• Microscopy: SEM/EDX, TEM, light micros-copy, 3D (confocal, interferometric)
• Tribometer: rotating/oscillating model body or axial-glide bearing; temperature -5…350 °C; surrounding medium dry, controlled atmosphere, lubricated or vacuum