ASTM D3170-12

Standard Test Method for Chipping Resistance of Coatings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Owners consider chipping of coatings, particularly on the leading faces and edges of automobile surfaces, unacceptable. In formulating a coating or coating system to meet service requirements, the resistance to chipping damage by flying objects such as gravel is one of the properties of importance since it can vary considerably as other properties are adjusted. Since resistance to chipping decreases at lower temperatures partly as the result of decreased flexibility, the test may be more directly related to service conditions by performing it at a low temperature. This test method is designed to produce a controlled amount of impact by the media on the coated panel in order to enhance reproducibility.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance of coatings to chipping damage by stones or other flying objects. Note 1—This test method is similar to SAE J-400.  
1.2 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as the standard. The English units given in parentheses are for information only. All dimensions are nominal unless otherwise specified.  
1.3 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: 14-Jul-2012
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.55 - Factory Applied Coatings on Preformed Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3170-03(2007) - Standard Test Method for Chipping Resistance of Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A1124/A1124M-23 - Standard Specification for Textured Epoxy-Coated Steel Reinforcing Bars
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D3794-22 - Standard Guide for Testing Coil Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D3451-06(2017) - Standard Guide for Testing Coating Powders and Powder Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6675-23 - Standard Practice for Salt-Accelerated Outdoor Cosmetic Corrosion Testing of Organic Coatings on Automotive Sheet Steel
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D3322-23 - Standard Practice for Testing Primers and Primer Surfacers Over Preformed Metal
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D333-01(2021) - Standard Guide for Clear and Pigmented Lacquers
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6577-15(2019) - Standard Guide for Testing Industrial Protective Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6486-23 - Standard Practice for Short Term Vehicle Service Exposure of Automotive Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012

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: D3170 − 12
StandardTest Method for
1
Chipping Resistance of Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3170; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
3
1. Scope a Ferrous Base (Withdrawn 2006)
D1400 TestMethodforNondestructiveMeasurementofDry
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis-
Film Thickness of Nonconductive Coatings Applied to a
tance of coatings to chipping damage by stones or other flying
3
Nonferrous Metal Base (Withdrawn 2006)
objects.
D1733 Method for Preparation of Aluminum Alloy Panels
NOTE 1—This test method is similar to SAE J-400.
for Testing Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products
3
1.2 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as (Withdrawn 1979)
D2201 Practice for Preparation of Zinc-Coated and Zinc-
the standard. The English units given in parentheses are for
information only.All dimensions are nominal unless otherwise Alloy-Coated Steel Panels for Testing Paint and Related
Coating Products
specified.
2.2 Other Documents:
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4
Test for Chip Resistance of Surface Coatings (J-400)
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Summary of Test Method
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1 Standardized road gravel is projected by means of a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
controlled air blast at the coated specimens. All testing is
2. Referenced Documents conducted under controlled temperature conditions, generally
2
either at ambient (room) temperature or at -29 6 3°C (-20 6
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5°F). After the gravel impact, tape is applied to remove any
D609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels
loose coating chips and the degree of chipping is determined.
for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and
Related Coating Products
4. Significance and Use
D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness
4.1 Owners consider chipping of coatings, particularly on
of Paint, Varnish, and Related Products on Test Panels
the leading faces and edges of automobile surfaces, unaccept-
D1005 Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thick-
able.Informulatingacoatingorcoatingsystemtomeetservice
ness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers
requirements, the resistance to chipping damage by flying
D1186 Test Methods for Nondestructive Measurement of
objects such as gravel is one of the properties of importance
Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to
since it can vary considerably as other properties are adjusted.
Since resistance to chipping decreases at lower temperatures
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
partly as the result of decreased flexibility, the test may be
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
more directly related to service conditions by performing it at
Subcommittee D01.55 on Factory Applied Coatings on Preformed Products.
Current edition approved July 15, 2012. Published October 2012. Originally
a low temperature. This test method is designed to produce a
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D3170 – 03 (2007).
DOI: 10.1520/D3170-12.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM www.astm.org.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth
the ASTM website. Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3170 − 12
FIG. 1 Gravel Projecting Machine
months for gravelometers that are operated less frequently. Note that
controlled amount of impact by the media on the coated panel
values in the checklist are specific to the standard gravel testing protocol.
in order to enhance reproducibility.
Different specifications may be necessary for other media types.
7,6
5. Apparatus 5.2 Gravel—Water-eroded alluvial road gravel passing
5
through a 16-mm ( ⁄8-in.) space screen but retained on a
5.1 Gravel-Projecting Machine (Gravelometer), con-
3
9.5-mm ( ⁄8-in.) space screen. Note
...

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: D3170 − 03 (Reapproved 2007) D3170 − 12
Standard Test Method for
1
Chipping Resistance of Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3170; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance of coatings to chipping damage by stones or other flying objects.
NOTE 1—This test method is similar to SAE J-400.
1.2 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as the standard. The English units given in parentheses are for
information only. All dimensions are nominal unless otherwise specified.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and Related Coating
Products
D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness of Paint, Varnish, and Related Products on Test Panels
D1005 Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thickness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers
D1186 Test Methods for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to a Ferrous
3
Base (Withdrawn 2006)
D1400 Test Method for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Nonconductive Coatings Applied to a
3
Nonferrous Metal Base (Withdrawn 2006)
D1733 Method for Preparation of Aluminum Alloy Panels for Testing Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products (Withdrawn
3
1979)
D2201 Practice for Preparation of Zinc-Coated and Zinc-Alloy-Coated Steel Panels for Testing Paint and Related Coating
Products
2.2 Other Documents:
4
Test for Chip Resistance of Surface Coatings (J-400)
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Standardized road gravel is projected by means of a controlled air blast at the coated specimens. All testing is conducted
under controlled temperature conditions, generally either at ambient (room) temperature or at -29 6 3°C (-20 6 5°F). After the
gravel impact, tape is applied to remove any loose coating chips and the degree of chipping is determined.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Owners consider chipping of coatings, particularly on the leading faces and edges of automobile surfaces, unacceptable. In
formulating a coating or coating system to meet service requirements, the resistance to chipping damage by flying objects such
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 D01.55 on Factory Applied Coatings on Preformed Products.
Current edition approved June 1, 2007July 15, 2012. Published July 2007October 2012. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 20032007 as
D3170 - 03.D3170 DOI: 10.1520/D3170-03R07.– 03 (2007). DOI: 10.1520/D3170-12.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
Available from Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3170 − 12
FIG. 1 Gravel Projecting Machine
as gravel is one of the properties of importance since it can vary considerably as other properties are adjusted. Since resistance
to chipping decreases at lower temperatures partly as the result of decreased flexibility, the test may be more directly related to
service conditions by performing it at a low temperature. This test method is designed to produce a controlled amount of impact
by the media on the coated panel in order to enhance reproducibility.
5. Apparatus
5,6
5.1 Gravel-Projecting Machine (Gra
...