One or more aspects of the disclosure pertain to a laminates including a substrate, such as a glass substrate, which may be strengthened, or a sapphire substrate, and a polymeric scratch resistant layer disposed on the substrate. In one or more embodiments, where a glass substrate is utilized, the average flexural strength of the glass substrate is maintained when combined with the polymeric scratch resistant layer. The polymeric scratch resistant layer may include a polymeric diamond-like carbon. In one or more embodiments, the polymeric scratch resistant layer forms a shearable interface with the glass substrate or comprises a plurality of sub-layers and a plurality of shearable interfaces between such plurality of sub-layers. Methods for forming such laminates are also disclosed.