Effect of color, gloss, and surface texture perception on scratch and mar visibility in polymers
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2015 Elsevier Ltd. Scratch and mar can critically impact the aesthetics of polymeric surfaces. Their quantification poses considerable challenges, especially for subtle mar damages. Here, we report a new standardized approach that utilizes a modified ASTM/ISO scratch test standard and a psychophysical tool to quantify scratch and mar visibility. The new methodology was then used to study the influence of color, gloss, and texture perception on scratch and mar visibility resistance. These factors have limited influence on scratch visibility onset. However, faint mar damage is more sensitive to surface perceptual properties. It has been found that overall visibility throughout the entire damage path is a better indicator for ranking mar damage. Results show that contrast slope variation parameter can consistently quantify mar visibility and simulate human perception. Green, glossy, and smooth surfaces tend to have less mar visibility resistance. The effect of a fatty amide slip agent was also investigated. These modifiers improved both scratch and mar visibility resistance. This unique approach paves the way for a straightforward universal standard that can be utilized to reliably quantify scratch and mar visibility in polymers, thereby opening up a new avenue for the design of polymeric materials with better scratch and mar visibility resistance.
