Strain-Induced Damageability of Elastic-Plastic Carbon Nanocoatings on a Polymer Substrate.

The ability to withstand external loads is one of the most important properties of functional coatings on polymer substrates. Carbon nanocoatings were deposited on the surface of elastic polyurethane by magnetron sputtering. Local mechanical properties and fracture of surfaces were investigated by indentation methods of atomic force microscopy. The development of microcracks on stretched materials was studied by optical microscopy. The modified surfaces exhibit non-uniform structural-mechanical properties. These inhomogeneities improve the fracture resistance constraining crack propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]