In order to perform satisfactorily, coatings must adhere to the substrates on which they are applied. In practice, three different test procedures are used to assess the resistance of paints and coatings to separation from substrates.

Cross-Cut Test
This test method specifies a procedure for assessing the resistance of paints and coatings to separation from substrates when a rightangle lattice pattern is cut into the coating, penetrating through to the substrate.

The method may be used for a quick pass/fail test. When applied to a multi-coat system, assessment of the resistance to separation of individual layers of the coating from each other may be made.

Scrape Adhesion
This test method covers the determination of the adhesion of organic coatings such as paint, varnish, and lacquer when applied to smooth, flat (planar) panel surfaces. It has been found useful in providing relative ratings for a series of coated panels exhibiting significant differences in adhesion.

The materials under test are applied at uniform thickness to flat panels, usually sheet metal of uniform surface texture. After drying, the adhesion is determined by pushing the panels beneath a rounded stylus or loop that is loaded with increasing amounts of weight until the coating is removed from the substrate surface.

Pull-Off Test
Adhesion of a single coating or a multi-coat system of paint, varnish or related products is assessed by measuring the minimum tensile stress necessary to detach or rupture the coating in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. This method maximizes tensile stress as compared to the shear stress applied by other methods such as scratch adhesion and results may not be comparable.

The test is performed by securing a loading fixture (dolly) perpendicular to the surface of the coating with an adhesive. After the adhesive is cured, a testing apparatus is attached to the loading fixture and aligned to apply tension perpendicular to the test surface. The force applied is gradually increased and monitored until either a plug of coating material is detached, or a specified value is reached.