1 - Characterization methods and characterization of the coatings

Abstract

The countless applications of coated materials, notably ceramic coatings, can be found in numerous fields, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, nano-biotechnology, biomedical engineering, and many others. It is possible to obtain unreliable functional coating evaluation results if the characterization method or technique is improperly chosen. Several guidelines about the important characterization methods to evaluate the coatings have been carried out from a general perspective. The specific characterization methods for coatings are still in their infancy, and there are not many studies that describe the required characteristics for each application. This chapter , therefore, summarizes the limited research to date, particularly regarding physicochemical, mechanical, and biological characterization methods for coatings. A thorough discussion on necessary physicochemical, mechanical, and biological characterization methods in three main applications, namely automotive, electronic, and biomedical. This chapter is expected to be referenced by researchers and manufacturers in the related field.