Scratch and multi-pass scratch behavior of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)

Polymer materials with high specific strength properties are widely used in engineering applications. Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a rigid and brittle thermoplastic with a high glass transition temperature. It is used in many engineering applications due to its low density, lightweight, high transparency, chemical resistance, and high toughness properties. Intense research efforts have been carried out in recent years regarding the scratching behavior of polymers. The scratch test is performed by moving a hard abrasive indenter across the surface of relatively soft material and is used to determine the mechanical resistance of the surfaces of materials. Scratches on the surfaces of amorphous polymeric materials such as PMMA cause optical and mechanical performance loss. For this reason, it is important to determine the scratching behavior of materials under different operating conditions. Within the scope of the study, the scratching behavior and multi-pass scratch behavior of PMMA were investigated. Experimental studies were carried out with Rockwell and Vickers abrasive indenters at different scratch force and velocity values. Scratch and wear marks were examined by means of an optical microscope, optical profilometer and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and scratch hardness, volumes removed, surface topographies and surface morphologies are presented. It has been observed that these results vary remarkably depending on the type of abrasive indenter, scratch force and velocity.

Automated summary

Polymer materials with high specific strength are extensively used in engineering applications. Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a thermoplastic material with high glass transition temperature, is widely used due to its low density, lightweight, high transparency, chemical resistance, and high toughness. Recent studies on the scratching behavior of polymers show that the behavior varies significantly under different operating conditions.