Title

AS 1580.408.4-1993 Paints and related materials - Methods of test - Adhesion

(cross-cut)

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 1 AS 1580.408.4—1993

Australian Standard
Paints and related materials—Methods of test

Method 408.4: Adhesion (cross-cut)

PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee on Paints and Related
Materials under the direction of the Multitechnics Standards Policy Board. This revision is
substantially the same as the previous Standard, but provides changed information on the
cutting tool, the direction of pull on the adhesive tape, and allows for field testing.
Although technically equivalent to ISO 2409, Paints and varnishes—Cross-cut test, this
Standard differs in that it requires the use of pressure-sensitive adhesive film.
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METHOD

1 SCOPE This Standard sets out a method for assessing the adhesion of paint coatings
to substrates by applying and removing pressure-sensitive adhesive tape over cuts made in
the coating. The method is also applicable as a field procedure, when not under the
controlled environmental conditions of AS 1580.101.1, however the temperature of the
surface needs to be recorded. It is not applicable to soft or friable substrates where the
coating thickness is less than 50 µm.
NOTES:
1 The method is not considered suitable for coatings thicker than 125 µm.
2 The method does not distinguish between high levels of adhesion for which more complex
procedures are required, such as a pull-off adhesion test similar to ASTM D4541 or
ISO 4624.
3 In multicoat systems, if adhesion failure occurs between coats, the adhesion of the coating
system to the substrate cannot be determined.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this

Standard:
AS
1580 Paints and related materials—Methods of test
1580.101.1 Method 101.1: Air drying conditions
1580.101.4 Method 101.4: Conditions of test, temperature controlled
1580.102.1 Method 102.1: Sampling procedure
1580.103.1 Method 103.1: Preliminary examination and preparation for testing
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
1635 Methods of testing pressure sensitive adhesive tape
1635.3.1 Method 3.1: Adhesion strength

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 AS 1580.408.4—1993 2

ISO
4624 Paints and varnishes — Pull-off test for adhesion
ASTM
D4541 Pull-off strength of coatings using portable adhesion testers

3 PRINCIPLE A panel, prepared, coated and dried in accordance with the product
specification, is scored with a cutting tool to form a series of parallel cuts in a cross-cut
pattern. Adhesive tape is applied over the cross-cut pattern in the coating and then
removed. The scored surface is then examined for coating condition.

4 APPARATUS
4.1 Cutting tool—a sharp single-edged razor blade, scalpel or similar cutting device, or
a multiple cutting tool as appropriate.
4.2 Cutting guide—a steel or other hard metal straightedge or template, to ensure
straight cuts.
4.3 Rule—graduated at 1 mm intervals, for measuring the distance between individual
cuts.
4.4 Tape—24 mm wide, semi-transparent pressure-sensitive tape with a minimum
adhesion strength of 6.0 N/24 mm width and a maximum adhesion strength of
7.5 N/24 mm width, when tested in accordance with AS 1635.3.1.
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NOTES:
1 The adhesive strength of tapes changes with time, therefore tapes purchased within the last
18 months should be used.
2 3M tape Cat.No 600 (7.0 N/24 mm) and TESA tape Cat.No 4263 TR (6.2 N/24 mm) are
suitable tapes.
4.5 Illuminated magnifier—typically 10×, to be used while making individual cuts and
examining the test area.
4.6 Brush—a clean soft-haired artist’s paint brush.
4.7 Surface temperature measuring device—for field use only.

5 SAMPLE A representative sample of the paint shall be taken in accordance with

AS 1580.102.1 and prepared in accordance with the procedures described in
AS 1580.103.1.

6 TEST PANEL The test panel shall be selected and prepared in accordance with the
product specification. The film thickness shall be determined in accordance with
AS 1580.107.3, or other appropriate method.
Metal panels shall be free from distortion and at least 0.25 mm thick. Where panels
consist of a relatively soft material, such as wood, the minimum thickness shall be
10 mm.
NOTE: The test result may be influenced by any directionality in the material, such as occurs
with wood grain.

7 TEST CONDITIONS The test shall be performed under the routine conditions
specified in AS 1580.101.4, unless it is a field test on a surface where it is not practicable
to control the environmental conditions. For a field test, the temperature of the test
surface shall be noted.

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 3 AS 1580.408.4—1993

8 PROCEDURE The procedure shall be as follows:

(a) Select a planar area. The dimensions of the test area shall allow the test to be
carried out at three different positions, not less than 5 mm from each other and from
the edge of the panel or other surface discontinuity.
(b) Determine the paint film thickness in accordance with AS 1580.108.1,
AS 1580.108.2 or other appropriate method.
(c) Place the panel on a firm base and, under the illuminated magnifier, make parallel
cuts as follows:
(i) For coatings having a dry film thickness up to and including 50 µm, space
the cuts 1 mm apart and make eleven cuts.
(ii) For coatings having a dry film thickness between 50 µm and 125 µm, space
the cuts 2 mm apart and make six cuts.
(iii) Make all cuts about 20 mm long. Cut through the film to the substrate in one
steady motion, using just sufficient pressure on the cutting tool to have the
cutting edge reach the substrate. When successive single cuts are made with
the aid of a guide, place the guide on the uncut area.
(d) After making the required cuts, brush the film lightly with a soft brush or tissue to
remove any detached flakes or ribbons of coatings.
(e) Examine the cutting edge and, if necessary, remove any flat spots or wire edge by
abrading lightly on a fine oil stone. Make the same number of cuts at 90 degrees to,
and centred on, the original cuts.
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(f) Brush the area as before and inspect the incisions for reflection of light from the
substrate. If the substrate has not been reached, make another grid in a different
location.
(g) Remove two complete laps of tape and discard. Remove an additional length at a
steady (not jerked) rate and cut a piece about 75 mm long.
(h) Place the tape over the grid in a direction parallel to one set of cuts, as shown in
Figure 1, in the area of the grid and extending beyond the grid for a distance of
approximately 20 mm in the direction of the free end, and smooth into place with a
finger.
NOTE: The colour under the tape is a useful indication that good contact has been made.
(i) At 90 ±30 s after application of the tape, remove the tape by grasping the free end
and rapidly (not jerking) pulling it from the paint film in about 0.5 s to 1 s, using a
direction of pull (see Figure 2) as close as possible to an angle of 60 degrees to the
test area.
(j) Inspect the grid area for removal of coating from the substrate or from a previous
coating using the illuminated magnifier. Classify the adhesion according to the scale
in Table 1.
(k) Repeat the test at another two locations on the surface of the coating.
(l) Where testing is performed in the field, record the panel surface temperature at the
time of testing.

9 TEST REPORT The test report shall contain the following information:
(a) The type and identification of the product or system tested.
(b) Date of test and report number.
(c) Type of test panel and method of surface preparation.
(d) Method of application and time and conditions of curing of the panel if known.

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 AS 1580.408.4—1993 4

FIGURE 1 POSITION OF TAPE WITH RESPECT TO GRID

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FIGURE 2 POSITION OF TAPE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO

REMOVAL FROM GRID

(e) Temperature of the substrate, if the test is performed in the field.

(f) Thickness, in micrometres, of the coating, including method of measurement, and
whether it is a single coat or a multicoat system.
(g) The number of cuts in a direction of the lattice pattern and the spacing of the cuts
therein.
(h) Brand name, grade and the stated adhesion strength of the tape used.
(i) Result of the test. If the test results differ, each result shall be given. In the case of
a multicoat system, report whether flaking has occurred between the layers or from
the substrate.
(j) Reference to this Standard, i.e. AS 1580.408.4.

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TABLE 1

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CLASSIFICATION OF TEST RESULTS

(PAGES 6 AND 7 IN THE HARD COPY ARE BLANK.)

AS 1580.408.4—1993
 AS 1580.408.4—1993 8

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 20 April 1993 and publi shed on 12 July 1993.
Licensed to David C Kemp on 11 May 2002. Single user licence only. Storage, distribution or use on network prohibited.

Review of Australi an 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 edit ions as necessary. It is important therefore that
Standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edit ion, and any amendments thereto.
Full details of all Australi an Standards and related publications wil l be found in the Standards Australia Catalogue of
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Notific ation of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made without delay in order that the
matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

First published as AS 1580.408.4 — 1980.

Second edit ion 1993.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 92105.

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