Destructive Testing
In-house destructive and non-destructive testing for coating performance verification.
In-House Testing and Inspection Capability
Wicked Coatings has in-house testing and inspection capability, covering both destructive and non-destructive testing to analyse and verify coating performance before, during and after production. Testing is carried out on sample specimens to failure, providing definitive data on how the coating system performs when subject to different mechanical and chemical stresses.
Destructive testing is most suitable and economical for mass-produced items, where destroying a small number of specimens is negligible compared to the assurance it provides across the entire production run. For commercial clients, this documented evidence confirms that the coating system meets the required specification before full production begins.
Three Tests That Prove the Coating
Our in-house testing and inspection team performs the core destructive tests used to qualify coating systems for commercial and regulated production.
- grid_on Cross-Hatch Adhesion A standardised cross-hatch pattern is cut through the coating and tape-tested to evaluate whether it lifts from the substrate. Results are graded against international standards to determine adhesion quality.
- edit Pencil Hardness Pencils of increasing hardness determine the hardest grade that will not scratch through the coating, giving a standardised hardness rating that can be compared directly against specification.
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science Solvent Sensitivity The cured coating is exposed to specified solvents to confirm resistance to chemicals, cleaning agents and fuels encountered in service. Critical for parts that meet aggressive environments.
From Specimen to Signed-Off Data
Every destructive test follows a repeatable workflow that ties directly back to the coating batch it represents.
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STEP 01
Specimen Prep
Representative coupons are coated alongside the production batch using the same substrate, primer and topcoat system.
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STEP 02
Cure & Condition
Coupons are cured under production conditions and conditioned for the specified dwell time before testing begins.
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STEP 03
Destructive Test
Cross-hatch, pencil hardness and solvent sensitivity tests are carried out in sequence against the defined specification.
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STEP 04
Grade & Record
Results are graded against international standards, photographed where required, and logged against the production batch.
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STEP 05
Report Issued
A full test report is issued and retained in our ISO:9001 records, available to the client as part of the quality pack.
Evidence the Coating Performs
Our destructive testing capability is fully integrated into our ISO:9001 quality management system, so the data is always tied to the job it represents.
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workspace_premium ISO:9001 Integration Test specifications, records and reports are held within our certified quality management system and retained for every production batch.
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shield Regulated Sector Ready Particularly important for aerospace, military and medical clients where documented coating performance data is a mandatory part of the quality pack.
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description Supplied as Quality Pack Test reports can be issued alongside coating certificates and inspection records, giving clients a complete, auditable project file.
Qualify Your Coating With Confidence
Contact us to discuss destructive testing requirements for your project. We will confirm which tests are relevant, how specimens should be prepared and what reporting you need.
