Characterization of the surface properties and adhesion behavior of electroplated PC/ABS using nano-indentation and scratch tests

The thermal and mechanical properties of Polycarbonate and Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene (PC/ABS) blends are more and more accepted as substitutes for metals especially in automotive industries. In addition, like metals, PC/ABS can be electroplated, which enhances their application range and gives them an attractive design. This study purported to characterize the surface properties and investigate the adhesion behavior of electroplated PC/ABS parts in order to further facilitate their integration as cheaper and lighter alternative materials. To achieve this goal, we used the measurement of the mechanical properties, a preliminary microstructural study, the scratch and nano-indentation tests to characterize the surface properties of this polymer. This study revealed two main findings. Firstly, the PC/ABS blend had a smooth and compact microstructure with a film of about 13 µm. Secondly, the electroplated film improved the surface mechanical properties of PC/ABS substrate. Finally, the material blend adopted in this study showed a high adhesion quality since the critical loads were LC1 = 6.8 N and LC2 = 11.2 N.