Summary: During the solidification of thin polymer layers different crack patterns can occur. There are several mechanisms of the development of regular crack defects and layer fractures. In case of self‐organization caused by Marangoni instability at the fluid layer surface the substrate can be periodically uncovered by spreading motions when dewetting hinders a back flow from the higher spots of the layer. Another type of crack patterns is generated from shrinkage processes and stress differences in the drying layer. Mostly these patterns are characterized by intersecting straight cracks. In this paper some examples of unusual shrinkage‐crack patterns in polymer layers are presented. Their propagation is independent on surface flow and surface deformations caused by the Marangoni effect, although the strength of polymer layers is impaired by the interfacial instability. Especially at layer edges or spots with thickness differences one can observe periodic wavy or circularly bend shrinkage‐crack structures. As a third type ramified surface defects are studied in thin layers. Often they only propagate at the layer surface.Wavy shrinkage‐cracks in a PMMA layer with longish surface elevations.imageWavy shrinkage‐cracks in a PMMA layer with longish surface elevations.
Summary: Surface tension‐driven Marangoni convection causes the formation of regular surface structures in drying polymer layers. The shape of the surface structures formed during solvent evaporation depends on layer and interfacial dynamic parameters as well as external factors. The influence of a horizontal radial temperature gradient produced by a point heat source below the polymer layer on the diffusion‐controlled Marangoni instability has been studied. In the region of the lateral temperature gradient, radial surface flow coupled with the interfacial instability leads to stripe, ladder, chevron and/or labyrinthine surface structures.
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