Influence of surface roughness and contact load on friction coefficient and scratch behavior of thermoplastic olefins

To study the effects of surface roughness and contact load on the friction behavior and scratch resistance of polymers, a set of model thermoplastic olefins (TPO) systems with various surface roughness (Ra) levels were prepared and evaluated. It is found that a higher Ra corresponds to a lower surface friction coefficient (μs). At each level of Ra, μs gets larger as contact load increases, with a greater increase in μs as Ra level increases. It is also observed that with increasing contact load and increasing Ra, the μs tend to level off. In evaluating TPO scratch resistance, a lower μs would delay the onset of ductile drawing-induced fish-scale surface deformation feature, thereby raising the load required to cause scratch visibility. However, as the contact load is further increased, the μs evolves to become scratch coefficient of friction (SCOF) as significant sub-surface deformation and tip penetration occur and material displacement begins, i.e., ploughing. No dependence of Ra and μs on the critical load for the onset of ploughing is observed. In this work, the distinction between μs and SCOF will be illustrated. Approaches for improving scratch resistance of polymers via control of Ra are also discussed.