Depth sensing indentation of organic-inorganic hybrid coatings deposited onto a polymeric substrate

► Several PEO-Si/SIO2//PVC systems were characterized by depth sensing indentation. ► System behavior was properly described as elastic//elastoplastic materials in FE simulations. ► Elastic moduli determined by Oliver-Pharr approach decreased with indentation depth. ► Intrinsic PEO-Si/SIO2 elastic moduli were extracted from apparent values via FEA. ► A long curing time had a slight effect on hybrids moduli but weakened interfacial strength.