ISO 16276-1-2025 PDF

Full title and description

Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems — Assessment of, and acceptance criteria for, the adhesion/cohesion (fracture strength) of a coating — Part 1: Pull-off testing. This part specifies procedures for assessing the fracture strength of protective paint coatings on steel substrates (≥ 3 mm) using pull-off test methods, and defines suitable equipment, inspection areas, sampling plans and acceptance/rejection criteria.

Abstract

This document gives procedures for pull-off testing to assess the adhesion/cohesion (fracture strength) of a coating applied to steel structures. It is intended for use when a fracture strength value is specified together with the type and manufacturer of the test equipment; results from different equipment types are not directly comparable. The standard does not prescribe numerical fracture-strength values.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 5 June 2025.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 87.020 (paint coating processes).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2025).
• Number of pages: 9 (ISO published PDF).

Scope

The standard applies to assessment of fracture strength of protective paint coatings of any thickness on steel substrates of thickness not less than 3 mm using pull-off testing. It specifies test procedures, required equipment types, inspection areas, sampling plans and acceptance/rejection criteria, and is only applicable where a fracture-strength value is specified together with the test equipment type and manufacturer. It does not provide benchmark fracture-strength values for coatings.

Key topics and requirements

• Pull-off (tension) test methods for determining fracture strength (adhesion/cohesion) of coatings.
• Specification of suitable test equipment and note that results from different equipment types are not comparable.
• Definition of inspection areas and sampling plans for field and laboratory testing.
• Acceptance and rejection criteria to be used when fracture-strength values are specified contractually.
• Limitation: does not give numerical fracture-strength values for coatings.

Typical use and users

Used by corrosion engineers, specification writers, paint system manufacturers, inspection and testing laboratories, contractors and owners to verify adhesion/cohesion performance and to define contractual acceptance criteria for protective coatings on steel structures. It is commonly referenced in contract documentation where a fracture-strength requirement and the test equipment are specified.

Related standards

Related documents and references include earlier ISO 16276-1:2007 (withdrawn), other parts of the ISO 16276 series, and complementary ISO standards for coating evaluation such as ISO 4624 (pull-off test for adhesion) and ISO 19840 (measurement and acceptance criteria for dry film thickness on rough surfaces). Regional/adopted versions (EN/BS/DIN) exist for the same text.

Keywords

pull-off test, adhesion, cohesion, fracture strength, paint systems, corrosion protection, steel structures, acceptance criteria, sampling plan, inspection areas.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 16276-1:2025 is an international standard that specifies pull-off testing procedures and acceptance criteria for the adhesion/cohesion (fracture strength) of protective paint coatings on steel structures.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test procedures, suitable equipment, inspection areas, sampling plans and acceptance/rejection criteria for pull-off testing of coatings on steel (substrate thickness ≥ 3 mm). It does not provide specific numerical fracture-strength values.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Corrosion engineers, coating specifiers, testing laboratories, inspection bodies, contractors and asset owners use it to define and verify adhesion/cohesion requirements in specifications and contracts.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO 16276-1:2025 (Edition 2) was published on 5 June 2025 and replaces ISO 16276-1:2007.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the ISO 16276 series dealing with assessment and acceptance criteria for adhesion/cohesion (fracture strength) of coatings; other related parts and complementary ISO standards address different test methods and coating properties.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Pull-off, adhesion, cohesion, fracture strength, coating, paint system, corrosion protection, steel structures, acceptance criteria, sampling plan.