Improving the stretchability of as-deposited Ag coatings on poly-ethylene-terephthalate substrates through use of an acrylic primer

In this paper, we report that silver films evaporated on poly-ethylene-terephthalate ( PET) substrates coated with an acrylic primer can be stretched beyond 70% without fracture. As-deposited films show a larger failure strain than annealed coatings. These observations are rationalized in light of a ductile fracture mechanism where debonding from the substrate coevolves with strain localization. The results of this study indicate that PET substrates coated with an acrylic primer layer may be suitable for stretchable electronics. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3567917]