ASTM B571-18

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B571 − 97 (Reapproved 2013) B571 − 18
Standard Practice for
1
Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B571; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers simple, qualitative tests for evaluating the adhesion of metallic coatings on various substances.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Significance and Use
2.1 These tests are useful for production control and for acceptance testing of products.
2.2 Interpreting the results of qualitative methods for determining the adhesion of metallic coatings is often a controversial
subject. If more than one test is used, failure to pass any one test is considered unsatisfactory. In many instances, the end use of
the coated article or its method of fabrication will suggest the technique that best represents functional requirements. For example,
an article that is to be subsequently formed would suggest a draw or a bend test; an article that is to be soldered or otherwise
exposed to heat would suggest a heat-quench test. If a part requires baking or heat treating after plating, adhesion tests should be
carried out after such posttreatment as well.
2.3 Several of the tests are limited to specific types of coatings, thickness ranges, ductilities, or compositions of the substrate.
These limitations are noted generally in the test descriptions and are summarized in Table 1 for certain metallic coatings.
2.4 “Perfect” adhesion exists if the bonding between the coating and the substrate is greater than the cohesive strength of either.
Such adhesion is usually obtained if good electroplating practices are followed.
2.5 For many purposes, the adhesion test has the objective of detecting any adhesion less than “perfect.” For such a test, one
uses any means available to attempt to separate the coating from the substrate. This may be prying, hammering, bending, beating,
heating, sawing, grinding, pulling, scribing, chiseling, or a combination of such treatments. If the coating peels, flakes, or lifts from
the substrate, the adhesion is less than perfect.
2.6 If evaluation of adhesion is required, it may be desirable to use one or more of the following tests. These tests have varying
degrees of severity; and one might serve to distinguish between satisfactory and unsatisfactory adhesion in a specific application.
The choice for each situation must be determined.
2.7 When this guideline is used for acceptance inspection, the method or methods to be used must be specified. Because the
results of tests in cases of marginal adhesion are subject to interpretation, agreement shall be reached on what is acceptable.
2.8 If the size and shape of the item to be tested precludes use of the designated test, equivalent test panels may be appropriate.
If permitted, test panels shall be of the same material and have the same surface finish as the item to be tested and shall be
processed through the same preplating, electroplating, and postplating cycle with the parts they represent.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on Test
Methods.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2013Aug. 1, 2018. Published December 2013August 2018. Originally approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 20082013
ε1
as B571 – 97 (2008)(2013). . DOI: 10.1520/B0571-97R13.10.1520/B0571-18.
Copyright © ASTM Internation
...

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: B571 − 18
Standard Practice for
1
Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B571; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope substrate. These limitations are noted generally in the test
descriptions and are summarized in Table 1 for certain metallic
1.1 This practice covers simple, qualitative tests for evalu-
coatings.
ating the adhesion of metallic coatings on various substances.
2.4 “Perfect” adhesion exists if the bonding between the
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
coating and the substrate is greater than the cohesive strength
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
of either. Such adhesion is usually obtained if good electro-
standard.
plating practices are followed.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2.5 For many purposes, the adhesion test has the objective
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of detecting any adhesion less than “perfect.” For such a test,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
one uses any means available to attempt to separate the coating
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
from the substrate. This may be prying, hammering, bending,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
beating, heating, sawing, grinding, pulling, scribing, chiseling,
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
or a combination of such treatments. If the coating peels,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
flakes, or lifts from the substrate, the adhesion is less than
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
perfect.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
2.6 If evaluation of adhesion is required, it may be desirable
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
to use one or more of the following tests. These tests have
varying degrees of severity; and one might serve to distinguish
2. Significance and Use
between satisfactory and unsatisfactory adhesion in a specific
2.1 These tests are useful for production control and for application. The choice for each situation must be determined.
acceptance testing of products.
2.7 When this guideline is used for acceptance inspection,
2.2 Interpreting the results of qualitative methods for deter- the method or methods to be used must be specified. Because
mining the adhesion of metallic coatings is often a controver- the results of tests in cases of marginal adhesion are subject to
sial subject. If more than one test is used, failure to pass any interpretation, agreement shall be reached on what is accept-
one test is considered unsatisfactory. In many instances, the
able.
end use of the coated article or its method of fabrication will
2.8 If the size and shape of the item to be tested precludes
suggest the technique that best represents functional require-
use of the designated test, equivalent test panels may be
ments. For example, an article that is to be subsequently
appropriate. If permitted, test panels shall be of the same
formed would suggest a draw or a bend test; an article that is
material and have the same surface finish as the item to be
to be soldered or otherwise exposed to heat would suggest a
tested and shall be processed through the same preplating,
heat-quench test. If a part requires baking or heat treating after
electroplating, and postplating cycle with the parts they repre-
plating, adhesion tests should be carried out after such post-
sent.
treatment as well.
3. Bend Tests
2.3 Several of the tests are limited to specific types of
coatings, thickness ranges, ductilities, or compositions of the
3.1 Bend the part with the coated surface away over a
mandrel until its two legs are parallel. The mandrel diameter
1
should be four times the thickness of the sample. Examine the
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
deformed area visually under low magnification, for example,
Test Methods.
4×, for peeling or flaking of the coating from the substrate,
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018. Published August 2018. Originally
which is evidence of poor adhesion. If the coating fractures or
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as B571 – 97 (2013).
DOI: 10.1520/B0571-
...