Title

AS 1580.408.2-1993 Paints and related materials - Methods of test - Adhesion - Knife

test

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 1 AS 1580.408.2—1993

Australian Standard
Paints and related materials—Methods of test

Method 408.2: Adhesion—Knife test

PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee on Paints and Related
Materials, under the direction of the Multitechnics Standards Policy Board, to supersede the
1984 edition.
This Standard reverses the numerical rating scale of the previous edition to agree with the
rating sequence adopted in ISO Standards. The requirements for preparation of test panels
and the test report have been modified.

METHOD
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1 SCOPE This Standard method sets out two procedures for assessing qualitatively the
adhesion of a coating or coating system of any thickness, to a metal substrate by cutting
through the coating in a prescribed manner.
The method may be used to compare the adhesion of paint films or to assess the change in
adhesion of a coating after exposure, e.g. to natural weathering.
With appropriate modifications and by waiving the restraints of preconditioning and test
conditions, the test is readily applicable to field use.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this

Standard:
AS
1580 Paints and related materials—Methods of test
1580.101.5 Method 101.5: Conditions of test, temperature and humidity controlled
1580.107.3 Method 107.3: Determination of wet film thickness by wheel gauge
1580.108.1 Method 108.1: Determination of dry film thickness on iron and steel
substrates (permanent magnet instruments)
1580.108.2 Method 108.2: Dry film thickness—Paint inspection gauge
1580.408.4 Method 408.4: Adhesion (cross-cut)

3 PRINCIPLE The coating or coating system applied to the requisite metal substrate is cut
through to the metal in a prescribed manner and the ease of removal of the coating
determined.

4 APPARATUS
4.1 Knife blade—a sharp-edged, freshly honed knife blade with a sharp point of 45 degrees
or less, such as a scalpel.
NOTE: A scalpel would be suitable for low-build commercial coatings, however a more substantial
blade may be required for a high-build heavy duty coating.

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 AS 1580.408.2— 1993 2

4.2 Straightedge—of steel at least 5 cm long.

4.3 Surface temperature measuring device—used for field tests only.
4.4 Film thickness gauge—as specified in AS 1580.108.1, AS 1580.108.2 or
AS 1580.107.3.

5 TEST CONDITIONS (For laboratory tests only). The test shall be performed under the
routine conditions specified in AS 1580.101.5 (see also Clause 1).
NOTE: In field testing, the ambient conditions will have to be accepted, however the temperature
of the test surface should be noted and reported.

6 PREPARATION OF TEST PANELS If required, pretreat the test panels by the

appropriate method. Coat the test panels at the appropriate film thickness and dry them by
the appropriate methods.
If required, determine the coating wet film thickness in accordance with AS 1580.107.3.

7 PROCEDURE
7.1 General The parallel cut method is essentially an abridged version of AS 1580.408.4
but in practical terms is mainly intended as a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ test, viz ‘complete removal’ or
‘no removal’ of the coating strip. It is not applicable for coatings less than 100 µm thick.
This contrasts with the 30-degree angle cut method which has no thickness restriction and
gives a gradation in performance, because the distance between the two cuts increases as the
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coating is pulled away from the vertex.

7.2 Parallel cut method (Method A) The procedure shall be as follows:
(a) Establish the film thickness of the test surface in the intended test area using
AS 1580.108.1, AS 1580.108.2 or AS 1580.107.3 as appropriate.
(b) Hold the knife blade at right angles to the test surface to avoid ‘undercutting’ and,
using a single cutting action, make two parallel cuts through the coating, of minimum
length 25 mm, separated by a distance equal to about 10 times the coating system
thickness. Use the straightedge to guide the direction of the cut.
NOTE: If the scoring through to the substrate is not achieved in a single cutting stroke,
disregard the cut and perform another.
(c) Make a cross cut at right angles to the original cuts near one extremity of the original
cuts.
(d) Insert the point of the knife blade under the paint coating at the cross-cut and attempt
to lift it from the substrate by a gentle prising action (see also Note to Clause 7.3(d)).
(e) Assess the adhesion of the coating at each location and record whether or not there has
been removal of the coating from the substrate or other coatings.
NOTE: A brief recorded description of the ease and extent of removal to assist in the
assessment of the adhesion is required.
7.3 Intersecting cut method (Method B) The procedure shall be as follows:
(a) Establish the film thickness of the test surface in the intended test area using
AS 1580.108.1 or AS 1580.108.2 as appropriate.

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 3 AS 1580.408.2—1993

(b) Hold the knife blade at right angles to the substrate to avoid ‘undercutting’ and, using
a single cutting action, make two 25 mm long cuts in the form of an ‘X’ through the
coating to the substrate so that the angle between the cuts is approximately 30 degrees.
Use the straightedge to guide the direction of the cut.

NOTE: If the score through to the substrate is not achieved in a single cutting stroke, disregard
the cut and perform another.
(c) Insert the point of the knife blade under the paint coating at the apex of one ‘V’ so
formed (i.e. a 30-degree ‘V’) and attempt to lift the coating from the substrate by a
gentle prising action.
(d) Using Table 1 assess the degree of adhesion of the coating.
TABLE 1
RATING OF COATING FOR ADHESION
Rating Previous
Appearance
scale rating
0 No removal 5
1 Trace peeling or removal along incisions 4
2 Jagged removal along incisions up to 1.5 mm on either side 3
3 Jagged removal along most of incisions up to 3 mm on either
side 2
4 Removal of most of the coating in the area subtended by the
cuts 1
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5 Removal beyond the area subtended by the cuts 0

NOTE: The values given in Column 3 are provided to assist users who wish
to compare panels previously rated in accordance with the 1984 edition of
AS 1580.408.2.

(e) Record the results.

8 TEST REPORT The test report shall contain the following information:
(a) Identification of the coating or system under test.
(b) Identification and condition of substrate, where applicable.
(c) Description of knife blade used.
(d) Thickness, in micrometres, of the coating, and the method of measurement.
(e) Test conditions.
(f) Name of testing authority.
(g) Date of test and report number.
(h) The adhesion of the coating, in accordance with Clauses 7.2(e) or 7.3(d), as
appropriate.
(i) Time elapsed between application of the coating and the performance of the test.
(j) Whether the parallel cut method (Method A) (Clause 7.2) or the intersecting cut method
(Method B) (Clause 7.3) was used.
(k) Reference to this Australian Standard, i.e. AS 1580.408.2.

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 AS 1580.408.2— 1993 4

This Austr alian Standard was prepared by Committ ee CH/3, Paints and Related Materi als. It was approved on behalf of the
Council of Standards Australi a on 21 December 1992 and publi shed on 17 May 1993.
Licensed to David C Kemp on 11 May 2002. Single user licence only. Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited.

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to periodic review
and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editi ons as necessary. It is important therefore that Standards users
ensure that they are in possession of the latest edit ion, and any amendments thereto.
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investigated and appropriate action taken.

First published as AS 1580.408.2 — 1973.

Second edit ion 1984.
Thir d edit ion 1993.

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ISBN 0 7262 8045 3 BB