Testing Services we offer:

• Humidity Testing
• Coating Thickness Testing
• Adhesion Testing
• Blast Profile Testing
• Chloride Testing

 

 

Adhesion Testing

 

Measurement Challenges

 

To accurately measure the pull-off strength of coatings with varying bond strengths to their respective substrates.   

 

Adhesion Strength Measurement Solutions

 

The PosiTest AT pull-off adhesion tester, along with proper selection of dolly size, enables an operator to accurately measure the bond strength of most types of coating applied to any rigid substrate. The expected tensile pull-off adhesion strength and industry standards are two prime factors in determining the correct instrument for an application.

 

The PosiTest AT model is designed to measure pull-off strengths up to 3000 psi (20 MPa) with the included 20 mm dollies which are commonly used for measuring coatings on metal, wood and plastics.

 

What is Adhesion Testing

Pull-off adhesion testing is a measure of the resistance of a coating to separation from a substrate when a perpendicular tensile force is applied.  Coated substrates typically include metals, plastics, concrete, wood and glass.  Coatings, finishes and linings vary greatly and include paint films, powder coatings, UV cured, ceramics, epoxies, bitumens (tar enamel, asphalt mastics), thermoplastic resins (polyethylene, vinyl and plastisols), laminates, lacquers, varnishes, specialty resins (urethanes, fluorocarbons, phenolics and polyesters), elastomerics, and inorganics (glass, zinc, and lead).

There are very few industry or application specific pass/fail criteria defined in standards. Expected adhesion testing results are often predetermined by the parties concerned.  Dependent on the accuracy and repeatability of equipment involved, large variations have been noted between various equipment and manufacturers.  To minimize these undesired variations, it is critical to utilize an adhesion tester that minimizes shear forces (forces acting parallel as opposed to perpendicular to the coating).  The PosiTest AT series is specifically designed for this purpose.  It possesses a self-aligning feature that utilizes a spherical articulating dolly head so that it is always pulled vertically by a ring of small bearings in the actuator.

Why Test Adhesion?

 

Adhesion testing may be performed for quality control purposes, but is more typically undertaken to adhere to industry standards and customer specifications.  Dependent on the application, the specific need for maintaining strong adhesion may vary.  Coating applications may range from consumer products to large scale construction projects, but a common factor is that premature adhesion failures can have a significant cost.  A well known adhesion failure in the automotive industry involved the failure of paint on a particular model of minivan. A commonly reported problem, the cause was eventually attributed to the spray primer utilized.  The primer blistered, causing the paint to peel after continued exposure to heat and direct sunlight.  Significant warranty claims and reputation loss could have been avoided during the development phase by combining life cycle and environmental testing with adhesion testing.  

Our Guiding Principles

Our policy requires that all our business dealings be conducted in an ethical manner with honesty, integrity, sincerity, and good conscience. We do not believe that we should profit at the expense of others. We strive to always do our best, to do what’s right for our customers, employees, suppliers and financial institutions. We promise to deliver what we promise in a timely manner at a fair price.