Quantification of interfacial adhesion of multilayer polymeric films using a custom-built instrumented machine

A modified tape peel test method to determine the integrity and interlayer adhesion within a soft multi-layer polymeric film is proposed. The new methodology will greatly improve two inconsistent and highly operator dependent ASTM D3359 and ISO 2409 tests for evaluating coating layer adhesion. The proposed test method uses an instrumented machine to make a crosshatch pattern with controlled penetration depth for consistency in the sample preparation. To ensure consistency, the processes of attaching, rubbing, and peeling a tape are automated using the same instrumented machine to allow for repeatable and operator independent test. Finally, the visual assessment to rank adhesion strength of the multi-layer films, as instructed in the above standards, are now quantified using a mathematical reduction of the interfacial adhesion in the multilayer films based on the energy conservation principle. With the quantified interfacial adhesion obtained, meaningful structure–property relationships of soft multilayer films can be established. The proposed test is expected to be also applicable for other interfacial adhesion studies on different types of polymeric laminates.