This document specifies a test method for assessing the resistance of paint coatings and varnishes (including wood stains) to separation from substrates when a right-angle lattice pattern is cut into the coating, penetrating through to the substrate. The property determined by this empirical test procedure depends, among other factors, on the adhesion of the coating to either the preceding coat or the substrate. This procedure is not, however, a means of measuring adhesion.

NOTE 1 Where a measurement of adhesion is required, see the method described in ISO 4624.

NOTE 2 Although the test is primarily intended for use in the laboratory, the test is also suitable for field testing.

The method described can be used either as a pass/fail test or, where circumstances are appropriate, as a six-step classification test. When applied to a multi-coat system, assessment of the resistance to separation of individual layers of the coating from each other can be made.

The test can be carried out on finished objects and/or on specially prepared test specimens.

Although the method is applicable to paint on hard (e.g. metal) and soft (e.g. wood and plaster) substrates, these different substrates need a different test procedure (see Clause 8).

The method is not suitable for coatings of total thickness greater than 250 µm or for textured coatings.

NOTE 3 The method, when applied to coatings designed to give a rough patterned surface, will give results which will show too much variation (see also ISO 16276-2).