Netherlands TQC SP3000 Adhesion Tester (Guide Gauge) Operation Manual

Holland TQC SP3000 Adhesion Tester, also known as Guide Gauge and Hundred Grid Plate, is a multi-functional adhesion Tester. The following picture is its physical picture (numbers 1~6 are its six functions):

Holland TQC SP3000 adhesion Tester (guide gauge)

(1) Viscosity index (leveling test)

Corresponding application viscosity index. Cut the leveling side (label 1) of the SP3000 adhesion Tester on the wet film layer on a flat surface (such as a glass plane). Scratches in the coating require a certain amount of time to heal according to the following schedule:

Alkyd returns to C/B grade within 1~2 minutes , and returns to A grade after 15 minutes , and the gap between scratches remains cracked;

Acrylic recovers to grade C/B within 15 minutes , remains cracked to grade A , and gaps between scratches remain cracked;

The high solids   returned to a C/B grade within 5 minutes and to an A grade after 30 minutes, with the gaps between scratches remaining open.

( 2) Cross-cut adhesion test

According to the ISO 2409 standard, use parallel knife guide grooves with a scratch gap of 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm to cut into a lattice pattern, penetrate the coating and cut to touch the substrate, and the scratch gap of 2mm is suitable for soft coatings with a thickness of less than 120 microns. Hard substrates with substrate and coating thicknesses between 61 and 120 microns. 3mm kerf gap is suitable for coating thickness ranging from 121 to 250 microns. Evaluate according to the chart below:

Grade 0: The edges are completely smooth, with no missing pieces.

Grade 1 Cut intersections with less than flaking of coating debris, but no significantly greater than 5% of the cross-cut area affected.

Grade 2 There is coating peeling off at the edge of the incision or at the intersection of the incision, and the area of ​​the intersecting cut affected is significantly greater than 5%, but not significantly greater than 15%.

Grade 3 Coating peeling off in large chips along the edge of the cut or partial or complete peeling off of some squares. The affected cross-cut area was significantly greater than 15%, but not significantly greater than 35%.

Grade 4 Peeling of large fragments along edges or partial or complete peeling of some squares. The affected cross-cut area was significantly greater than 35%, but not significantly greater than 65%.

Level 5 coating peeling degree is greater than level 4.

(3) Wet film Applicator

Apply some paint on the flat surface, and use the side of the grid board to scrape out a film with a film thickness in the range of 0 to 180 microns.

( 4) Adhesion test by scratching X method

draw XAdhesion test (ISO 16276-2:2007 standard) is mainly used for coating thickness exceeding 250 microns. It draws two cross cutting lines on the surface of the coating and cuts to the bottom layer. Use two pieces of tape to firmly attach each to the two cut marks. Quickly remove the tape within 5 minutes. Use the following table to evaluate the adhesion of the coating:

Grade 0 No flaking or removal of coating

Class 1: There are signs of peeling or removal of coating at the edge or intersection of the cut

Grade 2 Jagged exfoliation up to 1.5 mm along incision on either side of tangent

Grade 3 Jagged exfoliation up to 3mm along the incision on either side of the tangent

Class 4 Most of the coating is peeled off in area X on the bottom of the tape

Grade 5 spalled area beyond area X

(5) Fillet detection

Rounded corners are used to test the hiding power and adhesion of edge paint. Drop the corners to the edges and check rounding. For example: wood is R =5; metal is R =3; International Maritime Organization (IMO PSPC standard) is R=2; ISO8501-3 and ISO12944-3 standards are R≥2.

(6) Wet film thickness measurement

Immediately after applying the wet film coating, press the side of the SP3000 Adhesion Tester vertically onto the wet film to touch the substrate. The thickness of the wet film is between the last tooth with paint and the first tooth.