Parameters affecting the deposition of tin oxide onto glass surfaces and the function of tin oxide when overcoated with polyethylene in minimizing glass frictive damage

Abstract

Stannic chloride vapors were used to deposit tin oxide coatings onto glass substrates of various compositions. The microstructure of the coatings was analyzed with an SEM for coating deposition conducted under different ambient humidity levels, coating material flowrates, distances from the delivery tube to the glass surfaces, glass temperatures and carrier gas compositions. A general tin oxide coating deposition mechanism was developed. Additional tin oxide coated glass surfaces were overcoated with polyethylene. The frictive properties of tin oxide, polyethylene and a combination of these coatings were evaluated under various sliding loads and test conditions. The measured coefficients of kinetic friction were correlated with the surface topography of the coatings as observed in an SEM.