ASTM D4541-02

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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 testing coated surfaces, and evaluating and reporting the results. This test method is applicable to any portable apparatus meeting the basic requirements for determining the pull-off strength of a coating.
Variations in results obtained using different devices or different substrates with the same coating are possible (see Appendix X1). Therefore, it is recommended that the type of apparatus and the substrate be mutually agreed upon between the interested parties.
The purchaser or specifier shall designate a specific test method, that is, A, B, C, D or E, when calling out this standard.
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

• Replaces: ASTM D4541-95e1 - Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM D4541-09 - Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2009
• 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
• 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 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 E2813-18 - Standard Practice for Building Enclosure Commissioning
• 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 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 D1735-21 - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Water Fog Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D4541–02
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. Scope 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for evaluating the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
pull-off strength (commonly referred to as adhesion) of a
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
coating on rigid substrates such as metal, concrete or wood.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
The test determines either the greatest perpendicular force (in
tension) that a surface area can bear before a plug of material
2. Referenced Documents
is detached, or whether the surface remains intact at a pre-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
scribed force (pass/fail). Failure will occur along the weakest
D 2651 Guide for Preparation of Metal Surfaces for Adhe-
plane within the system comprised of the test fixture, adhesive,
3
sive Bonding
coating system, and substrate, and will be exposed by the
D 3933 Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Surfaces for
fracture surface. This test method maximizes tensile stress as
Structural Adhesives Bonding (Phosphoric Acid Anodiz-
compared to the shear stress applied by other methods, such as
3
ing)
scratch or knife adhesion, and results may not be comparable.
D 3980 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of Paint and
1.2 Pull-off strength measurements depend upon both ma-
4
Related Materials
terial and instrumental parameters. Results obtained by each
2.2 ANSI Standard:
test method may give different results. Results should only be
5
N512 Protective Coatings (Paints) for the Nuclear Industry
assessed for each test method and not be compared with other
2.3 ISO Standard:
instruments. There are five instrument types, identified as Test
5
4624 Paints and Varnish—Pull-Off Test for Adhesion
Methods A-E. It is imperative to identify the test method used
when reporting results.
3. Summary of Test Method
1.3 This test method uses a class of apparatus known as
2 3.1 The general pull-off test is performed by securing a
portable pull-off adhesion testers. They are capable of apply-
loading fixture (dolly, stud) normal (perpendicular) to the
ing a concentric load and counter load to a single surface so
surface of the coating with an adhesive. After the adhesive is
that coatings can be tested even though only one side is
cured, a testing apparatus is attached to the loading fixture and
accessible. Measurements are limited by the strength of adhe-
aligned to apply tension normal to the test surface. The force
sion bonds between the loading fixture and the specimen
applied to the loading fixture is then gradually increased and
surface or the cohesive strengths of the adhesive, coating
monitored until either a plug of material is detached, or a
layers, and substrate.
specifiedvalueisreached.Whenaplugofmaterialisdetached,
1.4 This test can be destructive and spot repairs may be
the exposed surface represents the plane of limiting strength
necessary.
within the system. The nature of the failure is qualified in
1.5 The values stated in MPa (inch-pound) units are to be
accordance with the percent of adhesive and cohesive failures,
regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are
and the actual interfaces and layers involved. The pull-off
for information only.
strength is computed based on the maximum indicated load,
the instrument calibration data, and the original surface area
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint stressed. Pull-off strength results obtained using different
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coatings.
3
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2002. Published April 2002. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.06.
{1 4
published as D 4541 – 93. Last previous edition D 4541 – 95 . Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
2 5
The term adhesion tester may be somewhat of a misnomer, but its adoption by Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
two manufacturers and at least two patents indicates continued usage. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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