The Failure Mechanisms of Coated Precision Glass Molding Tools

Molding tools in precision glass molding fail easily, even with protective thin film coatings applied. In this work, various efficient methods for assessing glass-coating interactions are developed, including a new, automated testing rig. Analysis of the testing results provides a better understanding of these mechanisms and how they are influenced by material properties and process parameters, so that the appropriate measures can be taken to prolong the life of the molding tools.