Kreuzschnittprüfung

Kreuzschnittprüfung, also known as cross-cut test or cross-hatch test, is a simple method used to assess the adhesion of coatings to a substrate. This test is particularly common in the paint and coatings industry, but also finds application in areas like adhesives and laminates. The process involves creating a grid of intersecting cuts through the coating layer using a sharp cutting tool, typically a specialized knife or a cutting stylus. The depth of the cuts is controlled to penetrate through the coating and, if possible, to lightly score the substrate beneath. After making the grid, a piece of adhesive tape is applied firmly over the cut area and then rapidly removed. The amount of coating that remains attached to the substrate after the tape removal is then visually assessed. Standards organizations like ISO and ASTM provide guidelines for performing and evaluating the results of cross-cut tests. The evaluation typically involves classifying the adhesion based on the degree of coating removal, often using a numerical scale where higher numbers indicate better adhesion. It's a qualitative or semi-quantitative assessment, offering a quick and inexpensive way to compare the adhesion performance of different coatings or to monitor the consistency of a coating process.