Analysis of Coatings

Protective layers on surfaces serve to maintain the properties of a surface, both functionally and optically. Sensitive surfaces can be found, for example, on electronic components and sensors, on medical products or membranes, on everyday objects and special tools and devices, both large and small. The coatings serve to protect the surface from aggressive media, to increase the biocompatibility, to improve the functionality or to function as a targeted barrier. The materials that are provided with a protective layer can vary. Depending on the area of ​​application, these can be metals, plastics, glasses, semiconductors and others. The protective layers themselves can also be very different. We may be dealing with organic protective layers as well as inorganic coatings, all depending on the application or the expected environment. Not every protective layer is suitable for every function. Depending on the substrate, layer system, application and requirements for coatings, there are different methods for applying protective layers. These can be ALD processes, PVD or CVD methods, electroplating or a comparatively simple painting process.

All coatings or protective layers can fail. In some cases, a simple analysis shows that the layer itself has failed, as in the case of delamination, discoloration, corrosion and the like. Sometimes the failure of a component or product is observed where the cause is not directly or obviously attributable to the coating. In this case, a suitable analysis strategy helps. As soon as coating failure might be considered, it is good to contact a surface analysis laboratory. The case can be discussed with the experts, often even on site.

A number of methods for surface analysis are available in the Tascon laboratory. They each have special analytical strengths. Based on the sample system and the description of the problem, you will select the method that fits the analytical question and can best detect a possible error. Sometimes a combination of methods is required to analyze coatings. Targeted analysis of the coating and substrate is very helpful for quick diagnosis.

The following example from our laboratory shows the analysis of an organic protective layer.