This guide explains how to select the correct Elcometer adhesion gauge for coating inspection, covering the three measurement methods Elcometer offers across its adhesion testing range. Adhesion testers verify that both surface preparation and coating application are within specification. After a coating has been applied, adhesion testing quantifies the strength of the bond between substrate and coating, between different coating layers, or the cohesive strength of some substrates. Premature coating failure adds rework cost at best, so routine adhesion testing forms part of inspection and maintenance procedures to detect potential failures early.

The cross hatch, or cross cut, method cuts the coating into small squares to reduce lateral bonding, then assesses adhesion against ISO, ASTM, DIN or other international standards. It is a fast, low-cost visual comparison method for paint and powder coatings up to 250 microns thick.

The pull off method glues tensile dollies, or stubs, to the coating; once the adhesive has cured, the force required to pull the dolly off the surface is measured. This is a simple, quantitative method that gives a definitive adhesion value, suited to laboratory or field use on flat or curved substrates. The push off method also glues a dolly to the coating, but pushes it off the surface once cured. Fast-cure adhesives can be used, making it well suited to curved surfaces such as pipelines and metal spray coatings. The full Elcometer adhesion range is supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised distributor.