The NK Cross-Cut Tester is designed to assess the adhesion of paint films and coatings on various substrates using the standardised cross-cut test method.
This procedure determines the coating’s adhesion, resistance to peeling or delamination when a controlled incision is made that reaches the substrate.
The system has been designed and manufactured by NK, ensuring reliability, repeatability and compliance with the main international standards.
The method involves making a series of parallel and perpendicular cuts on the coated surface, forming a grid of uniform dimensions that reaches the substrate.
Once the cuts have been made:
The result is classified according to the scales defined in the reference standards (UNE EN ISO 2409, ASTM D3359 or DIN 53151), providing an objective assessment of the coating system’s adhesion.
The ergonomic 3D handle is made from high-strength materials to ensure stability and precision during the test. It features a pivoting head, which allows the head to move freely to compensate for the natural movement of the hand, thus making it easier to perform all cuts in a single pass.
The grid-cut instruments for paint adhesion testing come with a selection of cutting blades to comply with coating adhesion test methods in accordance with ASTM and ISO. The blades have different spacing between cuts, adapted to different coating thickness ranges as specified by ISO 2409:
ISO 2409
ASTM D3359
DIN 53151
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
NK-CC2413
Standards
ISO 2409
ASTM D3359
DIN 53151
Which international standards can be applied using a cross-cut adhesion tester?
This type of equipment is commonly used for tests in accordance with ISO 2409 and ASTM D3359, two of the most widely used standards for verifying coating adhesion in laboratories and industrial quality control.
When is it advisable to use a cross-cut test rather than a pull-off adhesion test?
The cross-cut test is a quick and cost-effective technique for routine quality control. Pull-off tests are usually employed when a quantitative adhesion value expressed in MPa or psi is required.
What accessories are required to carry out a cross-cut test correctly?
In addition to the cutter, standardised adhesive tape, a cleaning brush, an inspection magnifying glass and classification tables are normally used to interpret the results correctly.
What adhesion classification can be obtained from the cross-hatch adhesion test?
According to ISO 2409, the results are classified from Class 0 (no appreciable detachment) to Class 5 (severe detachment of the coating), allowing for an objective comparison of adhesion quality between different paint systems.
