T. vom Braucke1, P. Papa1, A. Harris2, B.D. Beake2, J.A. Gutiérrez3, I.F. Martinez3, A. Wennberg3, C-H. Shin4, J-H. Yun4, N. Bierwich5, N. Schwarzer5

1) GP Plasma, 723 E Reagan Pkwy Suite 200, Medina, OH 44256, USA

2) Micro Materials Ltd, Willow House, Yale Business Village, Ellice Way, Wrexham LL13 7YL United Kingdom

3) Nano4Energy S.L.N.E., 28006 Madrid, Spain

4) DONGWOO HST CO.,LTD, R&D Center, 255, Huimanggongwon-ro, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do, 15084, Korea,

5) Saxonian Institute of Surface Mechanics SIO, 18569 Ummanz / Rügen, Germany

Design and measurement of stress and other key mechanical properties of functional coatings are key topics of interest to maximize application success. Understanding how those properties change within a material system is key to optimizing performance by adjustment of the deposition processes and materials used. Available methods to measure property profiles, such as stress, within the manufacturing environment are limited which leads to iterative empirical development rather than intentional design. A solution is presented which can determine relative intrinsic stress profiles via a series of nano-indentations within a Calotte crater. This is possible by the novel use of the fundamental equation of elasticity derived from an un-approximated Einstein-Hilbert-Action.

The use of this method is demonstrated on vapour deposited coatings to provide mechanical property profiles of biaxial and shear stresses, Young’s modulus, and Yield Strength as a function of coating thickness.