Worldwide Engineering Standards: Tape Adhesion Test For Paint Finishes

WORLDWIDE
ENGINEERING Test Procedure GMW14829

STANDARDS
Tape Adhesion Test for Paint Finishes
1 Scope
Note: Nothing in this standard supercedes applicable laws and regulations.
Note: In the event of conflict between the English and domestic language, the English language shall take
precedence.
1.1 Purpose. This standard specifies the test method to be used to evaluate the adhesion properties of
painted metal, plastic and sealer before and after environmental testing. This standard describes the
crosshatch and the “X” cut tape adhesion test using the cutting tools or cutting guide. All paint systems must
meet the adhesion requirements when the appropriate method is used. Unless otherwise specified, the dry film
thickness will determine which guide or tool is required. If either method is not usable due to size and/or shape
constraints (typically found in small parts) the application of this test will be at the discretion of the responsible
engineer.
1.2 Foreword. Not applicable.
1.3 Applicability. Evaluation of the adhesion properties of painted metal, plastic and sealer before and after
environmental testing.
2 References
Note: Only the latest approved standards are applicable unless otherwise specified.
2.1 External Standards/Specifications.
ASTM D3330M ASTM D3759M
ASTM D3652M
2.2 GM Standards/Specifications.
None
3 Resources
3.1 Facilities. Not applicable.
3.2 Equipment.
3.2.1 Pressure Sensitive Adhesion Tape. It is extremely important that the tape adhesively bonds to steel --```````,```````,,```,-`-``,```,,,`---
according to ASTM D3330M with a minimum 180 degree peel strength value of 760 N/m. Weaker adhesives
will reduce the severity of the test results. The tape backing should exhibit low elongation. The various
parameters of the recommended tape are described in 3.2.1.1 thru 3.2.1.4.
3.2.1.1 Nominal Dimensions.
Width, 20 mm minimum
Thickness, total ASTM D3652M, > 0.14 mm
3.2.1.2 Properties.
Peel strength, steel ASTM D3330M, 760 N/m minimum
Elongation ASTM D3759M, 5% maximum
3.2.1.3 Shelf Life.
Twelve (12) months maximum.
© Copyright 2012 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved
October 2012 Originating Department: North American Engineering Standards Page 1 of 9
Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14829
3.2.1.4 Recommended Products.

3M8981
3M898
Or equivalent
3.2.2 Sharp razor knife, retractable carbide cutter by Reider (Swiss) Rico Marker, cutting tool by Gardco or
BYK Gardner crosscut tester.
3.2.3 Cutting guide at 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm.
3.2.4 Rubber eraser or equivalent instrument for applying tape.
3.2.5 Stiff pencil brush.
3.3 Test Vehicle/Test Piece.
3.3.1 Test Material. The test pieces wherever possible shall be the finished part. If size, shape, etc., of the
finished part is impracticable, tests shall be conducted on specially prepared coated test panels.
3.4 Test Time. Not applicable.
3.5 Test Required Information. Not applicable.
3.6 Personnel/Skills. Not applicable.
4 Procedure
4.1 Preparation. The adhesion of organic coatings as determined by this test method shall be defined as the
tendency of the coating to become detached in the vicinity of scribed lines. Method A will be scribed in the
shape of a lattice pattern and Method B will be scribed in an “X” pattern. Both methods require cutting through
the coating, before and after exposure to defined environmental conditions. Use sharp blades, as dull blades
tend to cause chatter and can result in lower ratings.
4.2 Conditions. Parts in the as received conditions should be clean and dry before conducting the test. Oil,
wax or any residue in the painted surface shall be removed with soap and water or any other cleaner. Dry the
samples by blotting with an absorbent paper or cloth.
4.2.1 Environmental Conditions.
4.2.1.1 When specified, the coated test specimens shall be subjected to an environmental test, such as water
immersion, humidity or salt spray test, etc., before conducting the tape adhesion test. In this case, conduct the
environmental test as required and dry samples by blotting with an absorbent paper or cloth.
4.2.1.2 Select a representative area or an area suspected of having poor film adhesion on the paint surface to
be tested. Do not select sagged, solvent popped or obviously defective areas, as these defects should be
rated separately.
4.2.1.3 The recovery time after exposure to environmental cycle tests and before tape adhesion tests shall be
1 h unless otherwise specified.
4.2.1.4 Multiple tape adhesion tests may be required (minimum of three) depending on approval requirements
and space permitting. Larger parts will require more space. Geometric configuration and processing
characteristics should be considered.
4.2.2 Test Conditions. Deviations from the requirements of this standard shall have been agreed upon. Such
requirements shall be specified on component drawings, test certificates, reports, etc.
4.3 Instructions.
4.3.1 Test Procedure, Method A.
4.3.1.1 The crosshatch/cutting tool should be inspected prior to use and replaced if any damage is observed.
The crosshatch/cutting tool should be replaced if any inconsistencies in the scribe installation are observed.
4.3.1.2 Make a crosshatch cut with a sharp cutting tool or guide as shown in Figure A1. The number of lines
and spacing between the lines shall depend upon the coating film thickness as shown in Table A1. Make all
cuts approximately 20 mm long. Cut through the film in one steady motion using just sufficient pressure on the
cutting tool to have the cutting edge reach the substrate. When making successive single cuts with the aid of a
guide, place the guide on the uncut area and cut through the film to the substrate. Make similar type and
number of cuts perpendicular and centered on the original cuts.
October 2012 Page 2 of 9
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4.3.1.3 After making the required cuts, brush the film lightly with a soft bristle brush or tissue to remove any
detached flakes or ribbons of coating.
4.3.1.4 Dispense or cut a strip of tape approximately 75 mm long being careful not to allow the adhesive side
to come in contact with anything before the test application. Place the center of the tape over the grid so that
the tape covers the crosshatch diagonally.
4.3.1.5 Press the tape down firmly on the surface with sufficient rubs of the eraser to remove air bubbles and
to insure good contact between the tape and paint surface.
4.3.1.6 After 5 s to 10 s, grasp the tail end of the tape between thumb and forefinger and pull upward with a
rapid jerking motion perpendicular to the paint film.
4.3.1.7 Rate the adhesion performance as shown in Figure A2, and description of performance using the key
in Table A2. Paint adhesion should be reviewed on both the part and the tape.
4.3.2 Test Procedure, Method B.
4.3.2.1 The scribe/cutting tool should be inspected prior to use and replaced if any damage is observed. The
scribe/cutting tool should be replaced if any inconsistencies in the scribe installation are observed.
4.3.2.2 With a sharp pointed razor knife, cut an “X” consisting of two bisecting lines each approximately 75 mm
long, through the paint film to the substrate as shown in Figure A3. If the area to be tested on the painted
sample is less than the standard tape test area, then the application of this test will be at the discretion of the
responsible engineer. If utilized, report the percentage area remaining on the surface as shown in Figure A4.
When cutting, hold knife perpendicular to the surface and avoid any side motion. For relatively soft substrates,
such as plastics and sealers, avoid cutting so deeply that the substrate is displaced.
4.3.2.3 After making the required cuts, brush the film lightly with a soft bristle brush or tissue to remove any
detached flakes or ribbons of coating.
4.3.2.4 Dispense or cut a strip of tape approximately 125 mm to 150 mm long being careful not to allow the
adhesive side to come in contact with anything before the test application.
4.3.2.5 Cover the “X” with tape so that the tape is centered over the intersection and extends for at least
38 mm on both sides of the intersection in the direction of approximately the 25 degree angles. The remaining
50 mm to 75 mm of tape provides a loose tail on one end to grasp when removing tape.
4.3.2.6 Press the tape down firmly on the surface with sufficient rubs of the eraser to remove air bubbles and
to insure good contact between the tape and paint surface.
4.3.2.7 After 5 s to 10 s, grasp the tail end of the tape between thumb and forefinger and pull upward with a
rapid jerking motion perpendicular to the paint film.
4.3.2.8 Estimate the percentage area of paint not removed by the tape test area of 20 mm x 75 mm
(1500 mm2) as shown in Figure A5. Paint adhesion should be reviewed on both the part and the tape.
5 Data
5.1 Calculations. Not applicable.
5.2 Interpretation of Results. Not applicable.
5.3 Test Documentation.
5.3.1 Report: Method A. Record the tape adhesion rating as shown in Figure A2.
5.3.1.1 Record the failure mode indicating where the failure occurred, that is, within substrate, between first
coat and substrate, between first and second coat, etc.
5.3.1.2 Submit both painted sample and tape for review. Tape should be submitted on an overhead (acetate
film). The tape should never be placed back on the sample.
5.3.2 Report: Method B. Record the tape adhesion rating as the percentage of area of paint remaining as
shown in Figure A5, and the type of removal as shown in Figure A6.
5.3.2.1 Record the failure mode indicating where the failure occurred, that is, within substrate, between first
coat and substrate, between first and second coat, etc.
5.3.2.2 Submit both painted sample and tape for review. Tape should be submitted on an overhead (acetate
film). The tape should never be placed back on the sample.
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6 Safety
This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not propose to
address all the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior
to use.
7 Notes
7.1 Glossary. Not applicable.
7.2 Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols. Not applicable.
8 Coding System
This standard shall be referenced in other documents, drawings, etc., as follows:
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Test to GMW14829
9 Release and Revisions

This standard was originated in November 2005. It was first approved by Paint in September 2006. It was first
published in October 2006.
Issue Publication Date Description (Organization)
1 OCT 2006 Initial publication.
2 JAN 2011 Removed regional standard references and made minimal changes to
content. (Global Paint and Polymers Center).
3 OCT 2012 Added a new 4.3.1.1 and 4.3.2.1 and renumbered existing paragraphs
(obtained email approval from Global Paint and Polymers Center for
changes and to publish and approve document through Global
Corrosion GSSLT). (Corrosion GSSLT)

Appendix A
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Figure A1: Crosshatch Test (Method A)
Table A1: Cutter Spacing for Test Method A

Film Thickness Spacing Number of Cuts
(microns) (millimeters) (In each direction)
60 1 6
60 to 200 2 6
200 3 6

Surface of crosscut
Greater
area from which None than
flaking has occurred
65%
Rating
(classification) 3 5
0 1 2 4
Figure A2: Adhesion Performance for Test Method A (Crosshatch)
Table A2: Rating Scale Key for Test Method A (Crosshatch)
Rating Description
The edges of the cuts are completely smooth; none of the squares of the lattice is
0
detached.
Detachment of small flakes of the coating at the intersections of the cuts.

1
Across cut area of 5% maximum is affected.
The coating has flaked along the edges and/or at the intersections of the cuts.
2
Across cut area of 5% minimum but 15% maximum.
The coating has flaked along the edges of the cuts partly or wholly in large ribbons,
3 and/or it has flaked partly or wholly on different parts of the squares.
Across cut area of 15% minimum but 35% maximum is affected.
The coating has flaked along the degrees of the cuts in large ribbons and/or some
4 squares have detached partly or wholly.
Across cut area of 35% minimum but 65% maximum is affected.
5 A crosscut area of > 65% is affected
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Figure A3: X-Cut Test (Method B)
Figure A4: X-Cut Test Small Area (Method B)
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Figure A5: Adhesion Performance for Test Method B (X-Cut)
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A - Paint removed along knife cut evenly

B - Paint removed in the “V” section of the knife cut
C - Paint removed in a “Patch not Touching” knife cut
D - Paint Removed in a “Patch Touching” knife cut
Figure A6: Type of Removal
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WORLDWIDE

ENGINEERING Test Procedure GMW14829

Tape Adhesion Test for Paint Finishes

© Copyright 2012 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

October 2012 Originating Department: North American Engineering Standards Page 1 of 9

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

3.2.1.4 Recommended Products.

© Copyright 2012 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

October 2012 Page 2 of 9

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

© Copyright 2012 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

October 2012 Page 3 of 9

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

9 Release and Revisions

© Copyright 2012 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

October 2012 Page 4 of 9

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

Table A1: Cutter Spacing for Test Method A

© Copyright 2012 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

October 2012 Page 5 of 9

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

Figure A2: Adhesion Performance for Test Method A (Crosshatch)

Table A2: Rating Scale Key for Test Method A (Crosshatch)

Detachment of small flakes of the coating at the intersections of the cuts.

5 A crosscut area of > 65% is affected

© Copyright 2012 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

October 2012 Page 6 of 9

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

Figure A3: X-Cut Test (Method B)

Figure A4: X-Cut Test Small Area (Method B)

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October 2012 Page 7 of 9

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

Figure A5: Adhesion Performance for Test Method B (X-Cut)

© Copyright 2012 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

October 2012 Page 8 of 9

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

A - Paint removed along knife cut evenly

D - Paint Removed in a “Patch Touching” knife cut

Figure A6: Type of Removal

© Copyright 2012 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

October 2012 Page 9 of 9

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

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