Designation: D 3359 - 08 Standard Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test1 This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3359; 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. This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense. 1. Scope* of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory 1.1 These test methods cover procedures for assessing the limitations prior to use. adhesion of coating films to metallic substrates by applying and removing pressure-sensitive tape over cuts made in the film. 2. Referenced Documents NoTe 1This test method has been reported being used to measure 2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 adhesion of organic coatings on soft substrates (for example, wood and D 609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels plastic). Issues with plastic substrates are noted in Appendix X1. A similar for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and test method, ISO 2409, permits tests on soft substrates (for example, wood Related Coating Products and plaster). Precision and bias data on the later is lacking. Test Methods D 823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness D 3359 was developed with metal as the substrate and, in the absense of supporting precision and bias data, is so limited. of Paint, Varnish, and Related Products on Test Panels D 1000 Test Methods for Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive- 1.2 Test Method A is primarily intended for use at job sites Coated Tapes Used for Electrical and Electronic Applica- while Test Method B is more suitable for use in the laboratory. tions Also, Test Method B is not considered suitable for films thicker D 1730 Practices for Preparation of Aluminum and than 5 mils (125um). Aluminum-Alloy Surfaces for Painting NoTe 2—Subject to agreement between the purchaser and the seller, D 2092 Guide for Preparation of Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Test Method B can be used for thicker films if wider spaced cuts are Steel Surfaces for Painting3 employed. D 2370 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Organic 1.3 These test methods are used to establish whether the Coatings adhesion of a coating to a substrate is at a generally adequate D 3330/D 3330M Test Method for Peel Adhesion of level. They do not distinguish between higher levels of Pressure-Sensitive Tape adhesion for which more sophisticated methods of measure- D 3924 Specification for Environment for Conditioning and ment are required. Testing Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Materials D 4060 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Organic NoTe 3—It should be recognized that differences in adherability of the Coatings by the Taber Abraser coating surface can affect the results obtained with coatings having the 2.2 Other Standard: same inherent adhesion. ISO 2409 Paint and Varnishes Cross-cut test4 1.4 This test method is similar in content (but not techni- cally equivalent) to ISO 2409. 3. Summary of Test Methods 1.5 In multicoat systems adhesion failure may occur be- 3.1 Test Method AAn X-cut is made through the film to tween coats so that the adhesion of the coating system to the the substrate, pressure-sensitive tape is applied over the cut and substrate is not determined. then removed, and adhesion is assessed qualitatively on the O 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the to 5 scale. standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 3.2 Test Method B-A lattice pattern with either six or only. eleven cuts in each direction is made in the film to the 1.7 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility 2 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM websit