Non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester

Citation

(1999), "Non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 46 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.1999.12846ead.013

Non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester

Keywords Elcometer, Coatings, Testing, Adhesion

Elcometer Instruments Ltd, the Manchester-based specialist in instrumentation for the testing and quality control of coatings, informs us that it has introduced a new method for monitoring the adhesion of coatings, the Elcometer 109 non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester (Plate 7).

Plate 7 Elcometer 109 non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester

The Elcometer 109 uses specially designed and manufactured test elements that break at a predetermined force. Different breaking force test elements are available, so the user can select the value and test to this limit on a pass/fail basis. If the element breaks then the coating adhesion exceeds the limit defined by the choice of element and as the coating is undamaged the test has been non-destructive.

The elements are glued to the coating surface using an adhesive that is suitable for the coating to be tested. In most cases the part of the element left on the surface, after it has broken, can be removed either with a sharp blow on its edge or by applying heat to soften the adhesive.

In the event that the coating fails before the test element breaks, then this signifies a coating failure. The surface of the element can be studied to determine the nature of the failure, i.e. coating to substrate, coating to coating or even adhesive failure.

Elcometer reports that this new test method has been fully evaluated in Norwegian Oil and Gas production applications and can form the basis of a simple, daily quality check on coating applications without the need to interpret measurement values.

Details available from Elcometer Instruments Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)161 371 6000; Fax: +44 (0)161 371 6010; E-mail: sales@elcometercom http://www.elcometercom