Friction and damage in the scratching of poly(n‐butyl acrylate) films

Scratch testing was performed on poly(n‐butyl acrylate) (PnBA) films with a sapphire indenter with a spherical tip (76 μm in radius). For uncrosslinked PnBA film, the surface of which is sticky, the horizontal or scratching force decreases with decreasing normal load and has a residual value (∼ 6 mN) as the normal load approaches zero. The relation between the scratching force and normal load can be understood by finite element computation based on the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts theory under the assumption that the scratching force is proportional to the contact area, which depends on the normal load. With increasing driving speed, the scratching force shows a power relation with speed indicating a rate process. For crosslinked PnBA film, which behaves as an elastomer, the horizontal force approaches zero at zero normal load. Below a critical normal load, which depends on the thickness of the film, the crosslinked film recovers elastically after being scratched. Above the critical load, the film is damaged and, depending on its thickness, shows two distinct damage mechanisms.