ASTM D3359-02-TEST METHOD A-X-CUT TAPE TEST

5. Apparatus and Materials

5.1 Cutting Tool—Sharp razor blade, scalpel, knife or other cutting devices. It is of particular importance that the cutting edges be in good condition.

5.2 Cutting Guide—Steel or other hard metal straightedge to ensure straight cuts.

5.3 Tape—25-mm (1.0-in.) wide semitransparent pressuresensitive tape7 with an adhesion strength agreed upon by the supplier and the user is needed. Because of the variability in adhesion strength from batch-to-batch and with time, it is essential that tape from the same batch be used when tests are to be run in different laboratories. If this is not possible the test method should be used only for ranking a series of test coatings.

5.4 Rubber Eraser, on the end of a pencil.

5.5 Illumination—A light source is helpful in determining whether the cuts have been made through the film to the substrate.

6. Test Specimens

6.1 When this test method is used in the field, the specimen is the coated structure or article on which the adhesion is to be evaluated.

6.2 For laboratory use apply the materials to be tested to panels of the composition and surface conditions on which it is desired to determine the adhesion.

NOTE 3—Applicable test panel description and surface preparation methods are given in Practice D 609 and Practices D 1730 and D 2092.

NOTE 4—Coatings should be applied in accordance with Practice D 823, or as agreed upon between the purchaser and the seller.

NOTE 5—If desired or specified, the coated test panels may be subjected to a preliminary exposure such as water immersion, salt spray, or high humidity before conducting the tape test. The conditions and time of exposure will be governed by ultimate coating use or shall be agreed upon between the purchaser and seller