Scratch & mar resistance

We have all standard methods for the evaluation of scratch and mar resistance in house available.

For grained surfaces such as pp/talc in automotive applications we use the Erichson equipment that generates a pattern of crossed lines on test plate. Thereby, the scratching force as well as the diameter of the scratching head can be adjsuted. The difference in color before and after the scratching is measured (D L) and taken as indicator for the scratch resistance. Secondly, we use the five finger scratcher to evaluate the scratch resistance of grained surfaces. It is a fast method to evaluate the scratch resistance at different forces in one single test.

For plain or glossy surfaces made from PMMA, PC/ABS or PA we use in addition to the above described methods the crockmaster which is suitable to measure the mar resistance. For the test a defined textile material is moved several times on the surface and the decrease of gloss is measured. Materials which are evaluated by the crock master method are typically used for the production of flat tv frames or other housing applications in the electronic industry. Damages of these surfaces can occur mainly if the materials are cleaned and therefore the crockmaster is the appropriate test method.