ISO 26443:2008

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 26443
First edition
2008-06-15
Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics,
advanced technical ceramics) —
Rockwell indentation test for evaluation
of adhesion of ceramic coatings
Céramiques techniques — Évaluation de l'adhérence des revêtements
céramiques par l'essai de pénétration de Rockwell

Reference number
©
ISO 2008
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Foreword
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ISO 26443 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 206, Fine ceramics.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 26443:2008(E)

Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical
ceramics) — Rockwell indentation test for evaluation of
adhesion of ceramic coatings
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies a method for the qualitative evaluation of the adhesion of ceramic
coatings up to 20 µm thick by indentation with a Rockwell diamond indenter. The formation of cracks after
indentation may also reveal cohesive failure. The indentations are made with a Rockwell hardness test
instrument.
The method described in this International Standard may also be suitable for evaluating the adhesion of
metallic coatings.
The test is not suitable for elastic coatings on hard substrates.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 6508-1, Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test — Part 1: Test method (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,
K, N, T)
ISO 6508-2, Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test — Part 2: Verification and calibration of testing
machines (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N, T)
3 Principle
An indentation is made into the coated surface of the specimen to be tested, whereby the coating near the
indent can be damaged. The indentation and surrounding area are examined for cracks and/or flaking with the
aid of an optical microscope.
4 Apparatus
The indentations shall be made in accordance with ISO 6508-1, following the procedure for a Rockwell
hardness indentation.
The Rockwell hardness testing machine shall conform with the requirements of ISO 6508-2.
The contour of the diamond indenter shall be checked regularly by optical means (magnifying glass, optical
microscope, stereomicroscope or projection screen). This check shall be made for at least four different axial
sections. The indenter shall be replaced if this examination reveals any damage to the indenter (e.g. chipping).
A magnification of at least ×200 is recommended to detect ring cracks or microwear.
Although a research project to evaluate the effect of indentation parameters showed no major influence of
load rate or holding time on the results (see Reference [1]), they should preferably
...