ASTM D6991-17(2022)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurements of Internal Stresses in Organic Coatings by Cantilever (Beam) Method
Standard Test Method for Measurements of Internal Stresses in Organic Coatings by Cantilever (Beam) Method
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Stresses in coatings arise as a result of their shrinkage or expansion if expected movements are prevented by coating adhesion to its substrate.
5.2 There are several causes leading to arrival of stresses in the coatings: film formation (cross-linking, solvent evaporation, etc.); differences in thermal expansion coefficients between coating and substrate; humidity and water absorption; environmental effects (ultraviolet radiation, temperature and humidity), and others.
5.3 Knowledge of the internal stresses in coatings is very important because they may effect coating performance and service life. If the internal stress exceeds the tensile strength of the film, cracks are formed. If stress exceeds adhesion between coating and substrate, it will reduce adhesion and can lead to delamination of coatings. Quantitative information about stresses in coatings can be useful in coating formulation and recommendations for their application and use.
5.4 This method has been found useful for air-dry industrial organic coatings but the applicability has not yet been assessed for thin coatings (thickness
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for measurements of internal stresses in organic coatings by using the cantilever (beam) method.
1.2 This method is appropriate for the coatings for which the modulus of elasticity of substrate (Es) is significantly greater than the modulus of elasticity of coating (Ec) and for which the thickness of substrate is significantly greater than thickness of coating (see Note 7 and Note 8).
1.3 The stress values are limited by the adhesion values of coating to the substrate and by the tensile strength of the coating, or both.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6991 − 17 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Measurements of Internal Stresses in Organic Coatings by
Cantilever (Beam) Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6991; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope of Paint, Coatings and Related Products on Test Panels
D7091 Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry
1.1 Thistestmethodcoverstheprocedureformeasurements
Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to
of internal stresses in organic coatings by using the cantilever
Ferrous Metals and Nonmagnetic, Nonconductive Coat-
(beam) method.
ings Applied to Non-Ferrous Metals
1.2 This method is appropriate for the coatings for which
the modulus of elasticity of substrate (Es) is significantly
3. Terminology
greater than the modulus of elasticity of coating (Ec) and for
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
which the thickness of substrate is significantly greater than
3.1.1 cantilever, n—a beam or member securely fixed at one
thickness of coating (see Note 7 and Note 8).
end and hanging free at the other end.
1.3 The stress values are limited by the adhesion values of
3.1.2 deflection, n—the displacement of a beam from its
coating to the substrate and by the tensile strength of the
original position by an applied force.
coating, or both.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The deflection of the beam is used to
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
measure that force acting on the tip.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1.3 internal stress, n—astresssystemwithinasolidthatis
only.
not dependent on external forces.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Internal stresses in coatings are determined by the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and to
cantilever method (Fig. 1). Substrate A in the shape of a
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
rectangularcantileverbeamisclampedbyitsendBinaspecial
use.
fixture E. Coating (F) is applied to one side of the beam.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
Internal stresses occur in the film when it is being cured
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
(drying, cross-linking, etc.). When there is sufficient adhesion
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
between the coating and the substrate, the stresses bend the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
cantilever beam, forcing its free end D to be deflected from its
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
original position by a distance of h. The deflection of the beam
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
is measured under an optical microscope and internal stress is
calculated using the equation for the cantilever method. See Eq
2. Referenced Documents
1 in Section 9, (Formula 1).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Stressesincoatingsariseasaresultoftheirshrinkageor
expansion if expected movements are prevented by coating
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
adhesion to its substrate.
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.23 on Physical Properties of Applied Paint Films.
5.2 There are several causes leading to arrival of stresses in
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2022.PublishedJuly2022.Originallyapproved
ε1
the coatings: film formation (cross-linking, solvent
in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D6991 – 17 . DOI: 10.1520/
D6991-17R22.
evaporation,etc.);differencesinthermalexpansioncoefficients
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
between coating and substrate; humidity and water absorption;
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
environmental effects (ultraviolet radiation, temperature and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. humidity), and others.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6991 − 17 (2022)
A- Cantilever beam (substrate)
B- Beam end clamped in Fixture E
c- Coating thickness
D- Free end deflected under stress
E- Fixture
F- Coating
G- Width of beam
h- Deflection
L- Distance between the deflecting point and the clamping point
t- Substrate thickness
FIG. 1 Diagram of the Cantilever Method for Measurements of Internal Stresses in Organic Coatings
(a) – Original position (b) – Free end deflected from its original position as a result of stress
A- Support
B- Stop
C- Coated cantilever beam
D- Screw clamp
E- Pressure shim
F- Engraved mark
G- Edge clamping point
L- Distance between end of pressure shim to the engraved point where the deflection is measured
FIG. 2 Fixture with the Clamped Coated Cantilever Sample for the Measurements of Internal Stresses in Organic Coatings
5.3 Knowledge of the internal stresses in coatings is very 5.4 This method has been found useful for air-dry industrial
important because they may effect coating performance and organic coatings but the applicability has not yet been assessed
service life. If the internal stress exceeds the tensile strength of for thin coatings (thickness <0.0254 mm (.001 in.), for powder
the film, cracks are formed. If stress exceeds adhesion between and thermally-cured coatings.
coating and substrate, it will reduce adhesion and can lead to
6. Apparatus
delamination of coatings. Quantitative information about
stresses in coatings can be useful in coating formulation and 6.1 Measurement Fixture (Fig. 2)—The fixture consists of
recommendations for their application and use. the support A and the stop B to which the cantilever substrate
D6991 − 17 (2022)
C is clamped with the screw D and shim E. On the side of the 7.7 Removeanypaintfromtheuncoatedsidebysharprazor
support there is an engraved mark F called the fixed point at an blade if necessary. Prepare a minimum of three coated panels
exact known distance (L) from the edge clamping point G. By for the material.
moving the fixture under an optical microscope, the deflection NOTE 3—If the coating thickness measurement and/or reinstallation of
the panel to the base are expected to introduce unacceptable errors in
of the cantilever is always measured at the fixed point.
deflectionmeasurements,anextrapanelwhichwillnotbemountedshould
NOTE1—Othersimilarfixtureconfigurationsmaybeusedaslongasthe
be coated as a reference panel for coating thickness measurement during
key elements of the setup are present. Key elements include clamping of
subsequent deflection measurements. The relative change in coating
shim E on top of substrate C against the support A such that the edge of
thickness on the reference panel should be applicable to the mounted
the substrate C is in the same plane as the edge of the support A and
panels with the same environmental history and degree of curing provided
clamping point G is at a distance L away from the engraved mark F.
that the initial average DFT of the panels within the group are within
6.2 Optical Microscope—Capable of measuring deflection
610 %.
with resolution 0.0254 mm (0.001 in.).
7.8 Cure the coated panels under humidity and temperature
conditions as agreed upon between the producer and the user.
7. Test Specimen
7.9 As soon as the coating is dry enough to be handled, the
7.1 Use stainless strips (stainless steel 304SS is acceptable)
thickness of the dry coatings should be measured, in at least
as a cantilever substrate with the following dimensions: width,
threelocationsevenlyspacedalongthelengthofthecoating,in
12 mm (0.5 in.); length, 102 mm (4 in.); and thickness, 0.254
accordance with Practice D7091 or any other test method as
mm (0.01 in.).
agreed upon between the producer and the user.
NOTE 4—If a reference panel was prepared as mentioned in Note 3, this
NOTE 2—Other dimensions could be used. However, to reduce effect of
measurement should be used as the initial thickness for calculating the
clamping, the length of cantilever strip between the edge point at which it
coatingthicknessduringsubsequentdeflectionmeasurementsaccordingto
is clamped and the point at which deflection is measured (see Fig. 1)
3,4,5
Note 6. Care should be taken to avoid deformation of coating during
should be greater than 80 mm. Excessive thickness of steel substrate
measurement. The location of thickness measurement on the reference
should be avoided to reduce error associated with measurement of
panel should be marked such that the same locations will be measured as
deflection since deflection decreases drastically as substrate thickness
testing progresses over time.
increases.
Stainless steel was selected to avoid corrosion of the strips. However,
7.10 Take any precautions in handling of the cantilever
in cases where the coating can not adhere to the stainless steel, the other
beam during preparation for application, masking, application,
materials can be used (carbon steel, aluminum, etc.).
mask removal, etc., to avoid any deformation or damage.
7.2 Cantilever substrates are selected with a slight cylindri-
cal curvature with a “concave” side to be coated. If the strips
8. Measurement Procedure
are flat the “slight curvature” can be made by gently bending
8.1 As soon as the coating is dry enough to be handled, the
them with hand to achieve 2 to 3 mm deflection.
coated beam is clamped finger tight to the support with coated
7.3 Install the cantilever in the fixture and measure using
side up. The masking tape should be removed before installa-
microscope the deflection at fixed point before coating appli-
tion.
cation.
8.2 The first deflection measurement taken under micro-
7.4 Substrate should be degreased or solvent-cleaned; in
scope should be made a
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