ASTM D4541-22

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The pull-off strength of a coating is a performance property that may be referenced 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 requirements for determining the pull-off strength of a coating in this standard (see Annex A1 – Annex A5).  
4.2 Variations in results with the same coating are likely when any parameter of the test is changed. This includes change in glue, load fixture size, substrate coating cure time, pull rate, environmental conditions, if the coating is scored, or using a different device. Therefore, when a series of results will be compared with one another or used for statistical analysis, the type of apparatus, substrate, test procedures, glue type, and if scoring is used should be the same for the pulls considered.4 It is recommended that these parameters and the environmental conditions allowed during the test be mutually agreed upon between the interested parties.  
4.3 The purchaser or specifier shall designate a specific test method procedure; B, C, D, E, or F and test Protocol; 1, or 2, when calling out this standard. In cases where either the Protocol or a pass/fail criterion is not designated, Protocol 1 shall be used.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for evaluating the pull-off strength (commonly referred to as adhesion) of a coating system from metal substrates. Pull-off strength of coatings from concrete is described in Test Method D7234. This test offers two test protocols. Protocol 1 (test to fracture) determines the greatest perpendicular force (in tension) that a surface area can bear before a plug of material is detached. Protocol 2 (pass/fail) determines if the coated surface remains intact at a defined load criteria. Fracture will occur along the weakest plane within the system comprised of the test fixture, glue, 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.
Note 1: The procedure in this standard was developed for metal substrates, but may be appropriate for other rigid substrates such as plastic and wood. Factors such as loading rate and flexibility of the substrate must be addressed by the user/specifier.
Note 2: The procedure in this standard was developed for use on flat surfaces. The results could have greater variability with lower values and averages for surfaces other than flat.  
1.2 Pull-off strength measurements depend upon material, instrumentation and test 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 B-F. It is imperative to identify the test method used when reporting results.
Note 3: Method A, which appeared in previous versions of this standard, has been eliminated as its main use is for testing on concrete substrates (see Test Method D7234).  
1.3 This test method describes a class of apparatus known as portable pull-off adhesion testers.2 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 adhesive bonds between the loading fixture and the specimen surface or the cohesive strengths of the glue, coating layers, and substrate.  
1.4 This test can be destructive and spot repairs may be necessary.  
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the st...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2022
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.46 - Industrial Protective Coatings

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: D4541 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion
1
Testers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4541; 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* that coatings can be tested even though only one side is
accessible. Measurements are limited by the strength of adhe-
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for evaluating the
sive bonds between the loading fixture and the specimen
pull-off strength (commonly referred to as adhesion) of a
surface or the cohesive strengths of the glue, coating layers,
coating system from metal substrates. Pull-off strength of
and substrate.
coatings from concrete is described in Test Method D7234.
This test offers two test protocols. Protocol 1 (test to fracture) 1.4 This test can be destructive and spot repairs may be
determines the greatest perpendicular force (in tension) that a necessary.
surface area can bear before a plug of material is detached.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Protocol 2 (pass/fail) determines if the coated surface remains
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
intact at a defined load criteria. Fracture will occur along the
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
weakest plane within the system comprised of the test fixture,
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
glue, coating system, and substrate, and will be exposed by the
used independently of the other, and values from the two
fracture surface. This test method maximizes tensile stress as
systems shall not be combined.
compared to the shear stress applied by other methods, such as
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
scratch or knife adhesion, and results may not be comparable.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NOTE 1—The procedure in this standard was developed for metal
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
substrates,butmaybeappropriateforotherrigidsubstratessuch as plastic
andwood.Factorssuchasloadingrateandflexibilityofthesubstratemust
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
be addressed by the user/specifier.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 2—The procedure in this standard was developed for use on flat
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
surfaces. The results could have greater variability with lower values and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
averages for surfaces other than flat.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 Pull-off strength measurements depend upon material,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
instrumentation and test parameters. Results obtained by each
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
test method may give different results. Results should only be
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
assessed for each test method and not be compared with other
instruments. There are five instrument types, identified as Test
2. Referenced Documents
Methods B-F. It is imperative to identify the test method used
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
when reporting results.
D2651 GuideforPreparationofMetalSurfacesforAdhesive
NOTE 3—Method A, which appeared in previous versions of this
Bonding
standard, has been eliminated as its main use is for testing on concrete
substrates (see Test Method D7234). D3933 Guide for Preparation of Aluminum Surfaces for
Structural Adhesives Bonding (Phosphoric Acid Anodiz-
1.3 Thistestmethoddescribesaclassofapparatusknownas
2
ing)
portable pull-off adhesion testers. They are capable of apply-
D7234 Test Method for Pull-OffAdhesion Strength of Coat-
ing a concentric load and counter load to a single surface so
ings on Concrete Using Portable Pull-Off Adhesion Tes-
ters
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coatings.
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published July 2022. Originally approved
3
in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D4541 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/ For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
D454
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4541 − 17 D4541 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion
1
Testers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4541; 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*
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for evaluating the pull-off strength (commonly referred to as adhesion) of a coating system
from metal substrates. Pull-off strength of coatings from concrete is described in Test Method D7234. This test offers two test
protocols. Protocol 1 (test to fracture) determines the greatest perpendicular force (in tension) that a surface area can bear before
a plug of material is detached. Protocol 2 (pass/fail) determines if the coated surface remains intact at a defined load criteria.
Fracture will occur along the weakest plane within the system comprised of the test fixture, glue, 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.
NOTE 1—The procedure in this standard was developed for metal substrates, but may be appropriate for other rigid substrates such as plastic and wood.
Factors such as loading rate and flexibility of the substrate must be addressed by the user/specifier.
NOTE 2—The procedure in this standard was developed for use on flat surfaces. Depending on the radius of the surface, the The results could have greater
variability with lower values and averages.averages for surfaces other than flat.
1.2 Pull-off strength measurements depend upon material, instrumentation and test 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 B-F. It is imperative to identify the test method used when
reporting results.
NOTE 3—Method A, which appeared in previous versions of this standard, has been eliminated as its main use is for testing on concrete substrates (see
Test Method D7234).
2
1.3 This test method describes 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 adhesive bonds between the loading fixture and the specimen surface or the cohesive
strengths of the glue, coating layers, and substrate.
1.4 This test can be destructive and spot repairs may be necessary.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coatings.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2017July 1, 2022. Published September 2017July 2022. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20092017 as
ɛ1
D4541 – 09D4541 – 17. . DOI: 10.1520/D4541-17.10.1520/D4541-22.
2
The term adhesion tester may be somewhat of a misnomer, but its adoption by two manufacturers and at least two patents indicates continued usage.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D4541 − 22
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Princi
...