Standard · Adhesion, cure and holidays
ISO 16276
Assessing adhesion and cohesion of coatings on site, with acceptance criteria.
ISO 16276 turns the laboratory adhesion tests into a site procedure with a way to judge the result, for coating work on structures.
- Part 1: pull-off testing, on steel at least 3 mm thick.
- Part 2: cross-cut and X-cut testing.
What it does not give
ISO 16276 gives no pass value for any coating system. A test and its acceptance value or rating apply only when the contract names them. An inspector who finds no value in the specification asks for one before the test, not after.
Choosing the test
- Cross-cut (ISO 2409): six cuts each way, with the spacing set by the total thickness: 3 mm for 121–250 µm. It does not suit films above 250 µm.
- X-cut: the choice for those thicker films.
- Pull-off (ISO 4624): gives a stress in MPa and the place of the break, each share to the nearest 10 %, for example "20 MPa, 50 % B, 50 % B/C".
For thick immersion systems the usual choice is pull-off or the X-cut.
Editions
Both parts were revised in 2025, and the 2007 editions are withdrawn. Older specifications may still cite 2007.
4 practice items in the members area mention ISO 16276 (CIP 2: 1 · FROSIO written: 3).
Related
Try it in an exam-style question. The free readiness check shows the question style, explains every answer and gives you a dated study plan.
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Also published openly: Gardco: PosiTest CH cross-hatch kit, ISO 2409 blade spacing.
This page describes the subject of ISO 16276 in our own words; it does not reproduce the standard. For the full text, buy the current edition from ISO. Checked on 2026-10-14; errors go in the corrections log. CoatMentor is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with ISO, AMPP, SSPC, NACE International, ASTM or FROSIO.