ASTM D4541-95e1

Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for evaluating the pull-off strength (commonly referred to as adhesion) of a coating on rigid substrates such as metal, concrete or wood. The test determines either the greatest perpendicular force (in tension) that a surface area can bear before a plug of material is detached, or whether the surface remains intact at a prescribed force (pass/fail). Failure will occur along the weakest plane within the system comprised of the test fixture, adhesive, coating system, and substrate, and will be exposed by the fracture surface. This test method maximizes tensile stress as compared to the shear stress applied by other methods, such as scratch or knife adhesion, and results may not be comparable.
1.2 Pull-off strength measurements depend upon both material and instrumental parameters. Results obtained by each test method may give different results. Results should only be assessed for each test method and not be compared with other instruments. There are five instrument types, identified as Test Methods A-E. It is imperative to identify the test method used when reporting results.
1.3 This test method uses a class of apparatus known as portable pull-off adhesion testers. They are capable of applying a concentric load and counter load to a single surface so that coatings can be tested even though only one side is accessible. Measurements are limited by the strength of adhesion bonds between the loading fixture and the specimen surface or the cohesive strengths of the adhesive, coating layers, and substrate.
1.4 This test can be destructive and spot repairs may be necessary.
1.5 The values stated in MPa (inch-pound) units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Feb-2002
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.46 - Industrial Protective Coatings

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D4541-02 - Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D1735-21 - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Water Fog Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2813-18 - Standard Practice for Building Enclosure Commissioning
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1315-19 - Standard Specification for Liquid Membrane-Forming Compounds Having Special Properties for Curing and Sealing Concrete
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4585/D4585M-18 - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Controlled Condensation
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D5367-16(2021) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Coatings Applied Over Surfaces Treated With Inhibitors Used to Prevent Flash Rusting of Steel When Water or Water/Abrasive Blasted
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4619-12(2018) - Standard Practice for Inspection of Linings in Operating Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7167-12(2018) - Standard Guide for Establishing Procedures to Monitor the Performance of Safety-Related Coating Service Level III Lining Systems in an Operating Nuclear Power Plant
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D5064-16a(2021) - Standard Practice for Conducting a Patch Test to Assess Coating Compatibility
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D6577-15(2019) - Standard Guide for Testing Industrial Protective Coatings
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E3104-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Strippable and Removable Coatings to Mitigate Spread of Radioactive Contamination
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM C1848-17a(2023) - Standard Practice for Installation of High-Pressure Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation for the Building Enclosure
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D5499-94(2021) - Standard Test Methods for Heat Resistance of Polymer Linings for Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D3276-21 - Standard Guide for Painting Inspectors (Metal Substrates)
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E3223/E3223M-20 - Standard Guide for Specifying and Testing Field-Constructed Exterior Building Wall System Mockups in New Construction
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
e1
Designation: D 4541 – 95
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion
1
Testers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4541; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
e NOTE—Research report added editorially in August 1995.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for evaluating the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
pull-off strength (commonly referred to as adhesion) of a D 2651 Guide for Preparation of Metal Surfaces for Adhe-
3
coating by determining either the greatest perpendicular force sive Bonding
(in tension) that a surface area can bear before a plug of D 3933 Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Surfaces for
material is detached, or whether the surface remains intact at a Structural Adhesives Bonding (Phosphoric Acid Anodiz-
3
prescribed force (pass/fail). Failure will occur along the weak- ing)
est plane within the system comprised of the test fixture, D 3980 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of Paint and
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adhesive, coating system, and substrate, and will be exposed by Related Materials
the fracture surface. This test method maximizes tensile stress 2.2 ANSI Standard:
5
as compared to the shear stress applied by other methods, such N512 Protective Coatings (Paints) for the Nuclear Industry
as scratch or knife adhesion, and results may not be compa- 2.3 ISO Standard:
5
rable. Further, pull-off strength measurements depend upon 4624 Paints and Varnish—Pull-Off Test for Adhesion
both material and instrumental parameters. Results obtained
3. Summary of Test Method
using different devices or results for the same coatings on
substrates having different stiffness may not be comparable. 3.1 The general pull-off test is performed by securing a
loading fixture (dolly, stud) normal (perpendicular) to the
1.2 This test method uses a class of apparatus known as
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portable pull-off adhesion testers. They are capable of apply- surface of the coating with an adhesive. After the adhesive is
cured, a testing apparatus is attached to the loading fixture and
ing a concentric load and counter load to a single surface so
that coatings can be tested even though only one side is aligned to apply tension normal to the test surface. The force
applied to the loading fixture is then gradually increased and
accessible. Measurements are limited by the strength of adhe-
sion bonds between the loading fixture and the specimen monitored until either a plug of material is detached, or a
specified value is reached. When a plug of material is detached,
surface or the cohesive strengths of the adhesive, coating
layers, and substrate. the exposed surface represents the plane of limiting strength
within the system. The nature of the failure is qualified in
1.3 This test can be destructive and spot repairs may be
necessary. accordance with the percent of adhesive and cohesive failures,
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded and the actual interfaces and layers involved. The pull-off
strength is computed based on the maximum indicated load,
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only. the instrument calibration data, and the original surface area
stressed. Pull-off strength results obtained using different
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the devices may be different because the results depend on
instrumental parameters (see Appendix X1).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 The pull-off strength of a coating is an important
performance property that has been used in specifications. This
test method serves as a means for uniformly preparing and
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-1 on Paint
testing coated surfaces, and evaluating and reporting the
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coating.
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Current edition approved Feb. 15, 1995. Published April 1995. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.06.
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published as D 4541 – 93. Last previous edition D 4541 – 93. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
2 5
The term adhesion tester may be somewhat of a misnomer, but its adoption by
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