Optimizing Combination of Parameters for Pull-off Adhesion Testing through Design of Experiment Study

Abstract

A minimum of adhesion strength of thin films and coatings to substrates is required for their durable applications. Practical Adhesion is measure of that strength required to pull-off coating or film from the substrate. A suitable method to measure this adhesion strength has to be one that allows quantitative repeatable hence reliable results. There are many methods and techniques to measure this practical adhesion. However, none inclusively quantifies adhesion with repeatable results. Pull-Off method involves application of tensile forces and delivers quantitative results. Here we report optimizations made in combination of parameters for Pull-Off adhesion testing. Optimized combination of adhesive mixing ratio, time for hardening (curing), time to test after hardening and applied force rate was achieved through detailed Design of Experiment study. Achieved combination delivered results which were quantitative, repeatable, consistent and uniform and allowed application of method to a variety of coatings and films with enhanced reliability. The improvements here in reported are applicable to majority of thin films and coating systems delivering some standardized parameters combination for pull-off method.