Non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester

Non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester

Non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester

Keywords: Adhesion, Non-destructive testing, Coatings, Quality control, Elcometer

Elcometer Instruments Ltd, a specialist company in instrumentation for the testing and quality control of coatings, has introduced a new method for monitoring the adhesion of coatings, The Elcometer 109 non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester (Plate 1).

Plate 1 The Elcometer 109 non-destructive pull-off adhesion tester

According to the manufacturer, 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 of the coating failing 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.

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

Further details are available from Elcometer Instruments Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)161 371 6000; Fax: +44 (0)161 6010; E-mail: sales@elcometer.com