John Deere Standard

JDQ 17
APPROVED FOR SUPPLIER
DISTRIBUTION

Paints — Evaluation of Paint Film Adhesion —

Cross-Cut Test

1 Scope

1.1 JDQ 17 defines a method to assess the adhesion of a paint film to a substrate. The method does
not distinguish between higher levels of adhesion, for which a more sophisticated method of
measurement is required.

1.2 The technique described in JDQ 17 is similar to ISO 2409 and ASTM D3359 Test Method B. By
incorporating the following restrictions, either ISO 2409 or ASTM D3359 Test Method B can be used
instead of JDQ 17 with equivalent results.
• Cut spacing of 2 mm is required for all films, regardless of thickness.
• The JDQ 17 grading scale is required.

1.3 This standard can contain mandatory provisions, which are identified by the words “shall” or
“required”. Compliance with the mandatory provisions is required to claim conformance with this standard.
This standard can also contain guideline provisions, which are generally identified by the words “should”
or “recommended”. Compliance with the guideline provisions is not required, because they might not be
appropriate for all machines or all applications.

2 Summary of Method

A lattice pattern is cut into the paint film, penetrating through the film to the substrate. Any loosened paint
is removed by the application of pressure-sensitive tape. Degree of adhesion is assessed by comparison
to a standard classification scale.

3 Equipment

3.1 Cutting Tool

Manual or mechanical, capable of making at least six simultaneous cuts spaced 2 mm apart. Cutting
edge shall be a nominal 30° included angle. A 2 mm cutting template and standard razor blade knife may
be used for test specimens with complex sample geometry or rough surface profile.

Current edition: Supersedes: First issued:

2013-02-22 2010-06-07 1980-09-30 Design Control: DT Page 1 of 5
John Deere Standards are intended for use by Deere & Company, its divisions and subsidiaries. Suppliers who rely on them in
furnishing products to or for the benefit of the Company must determine that they are in possession of the latest version. Distribution
of the standards to parties other than John Deere Suppliers, whether with or without charge, are for information only and Deere &
Company disclaims all responsibility for results attributable to the application of or compliance with such standards. The Company
makes no representation, express or implied, that conformity ensures compliance with applicable law or other rules or regulations.
Further, those who are in receipt of and elect to use the standards, agree to assume the responsibility for compliance with patents,
as well as potential patent infringement.
Deere & Company Engineering Standards Department, One John Deere Place, Moline, Illinois 61265-8098, U.S.A. Unpublished —
All rights reserved under the copyright laws.
JDQ 17 APPROVED FOR SUPPLIER
DISTRIBUTION

3.2 Illumination
A light source for determining whether the cuts have been made through the film to the substrate.

3.3 Standard Test Panels

See JDQ 1 for descriptions of test panels.

3.4 Tape
Pressure sensitive tape, 25 mm wide. Elcometer 99™ is preferred.
Note 1 Elcometer 99 is a trademark of Elcometer Limited

4 Sample Preparation

4.1 If required, standard test panels may be subjected to preliminary tests (such as outdoor exposure,
salt spray, or fluid immersion) before the start of this adhesion test. Any such preliminary testing shall be
noted in the report.

4.2 Unless otherwise specified, coated test panels shall be conditioned at a temperature of 23°C ± 3°C
and a relative humidity of 50 % ± 10 % for a minimum of 16 hours.

5 Procedure

5.1 Place the test panel on a firm, flat base.

5.2 Select an area on the test panel free of blemishes and minor surface imperfections.

5.3 With uniform pressure exerted on the cutting tool, cut through the paint film to the substrate in one
steady motion. Use just enough pressure on the cutting tool to have the cutting edge reach the surface of
the substrate without cutting too deeply into it. Cuts should be approximately 40 mm long.

5.4 Repeat the cutting operation by making another set of simultaneous cuts at a 90° angle to the
original cuts. A lattice is formed from the cuts.

5.5 Brush the paint film lightly with a soft brush or tissue to remove any detached flakes or ribbons of
coating.

5.6 Cut a piece of tape approximately 75 mm long. Place the center of the tape over the lattice pattern
of cuts. Smooth the tape over the lattice by rubbing it smoothly with a finger or pencil eraser.

5.7 Once good contact is made between the tape and the panel, remove the tape by seizing the free
end and quickly but smoothly pulling it off at an angle between 90° and 180° to the surface of the test
panel.

5.8 Inspect the lattice for removal of the paint film and estimate the percentage of area from which the
film has been removed. Classify the degree of adhesion according to the scale in Table 1, which
illustrates typical lattices after pulling the tape. A comparison of adhesion classifications among JDQ 17,
ISO 2409, and ASTM D3359 is shown in Table 2.
Note 2 The JDQ 17 classification should be used instead of the ISO 2409 and ASTM D3359 classifications to
avoid potential confusion.

5.9 Repeat the test in two other locations on the test panel.

2
 APPROVED FOR SUPPLIER
DISTRIBUTION JDQ 17
Table 1 JDQ 17 Grading Scale for Paint Film Adhesion
Appearance of surface of cross-cut
area for which flaking has occurred
Classification Description (Example shown for six parallel cuts)

The edges of the cuts are completely smooth.

A
None of the squares of the lattice is detached.

Detachment of small flakes of the coating at the

B intersections of the cuts. A cross-cut area not
distinctly grater than 5% is affected.

The coating has flaked along the edges and/or

at the intersections of the cuts. A cross-cut area
C
distinctly greater than 5%, but not distinctly
greater than 15%, is affected.
The coating has flaked along the edges of the
cuts partly or wholly in large ribbons, and/or it
has flaked partly or wholly on different parts of
D
the squares. A cross-cut area distinctly greater
than 15%, but not distinctly greater than 35%, is
affected.
The coating has flaked along the edges of the
cuts in large ribbons and/or some squares have
E detached partly or wholly. A cross-cut area
distinctly greater than 35%, but not distinctly
greater than 65%, is affected.
Any degree of flaking that cannot even be
F > 65%
classified by Classification E.

Table 2 Comparison of JDQ 17, ISO 2409, and ASTM D3359 Adhesion Classifications
JDQ 17 ISO 2409 ASTM D3359
A 0 5B
B 1 4B
C 2 3B
D 3 2B
E 4 1B
F 5 0
• The JDQ 17 classification shall be used instead of the ISO 2409 or ASTM D3359 classifications to avoid
potential confusion.

3
JDQ 17 APPROVED FOR SUPPLIER
DISTRIBUTION

6 Report

Report the following information for each test specimen:

• JDQ 17 adhesion classification
• Any deviations in adhesion classification among the three trials

7 References

For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.

7.1 Access to John Deere Standards

7.1.1 John Deere Standards can be accessed by John Deere personnel via the Engineering Standards
internal website.

7.1.2 Employees of suppliers with an approved John Deere supplier number can obtain access to John
Deere Standards via the JD Supply Network (JDSN). Access to JDSN is by approved individual name
and password. Suppliers should contact their Supply Management representative with questions about
JDSN.
Note 3 Only John Deere Standards which have been approved for supplier distribution are available via JDSN.

7.2 Access to Standards from External Organizations

7.2.1 Most standards from organizations external to John Deere are available to John Deere personnel
via the Engineering Standards internal website.

7.2.2 Suppliers are responsible for obtaining relevant external standards. In accordance with copyright
laws and Company policy, John Deere personnel shall not provide copies of these standards to suppliers.

7.3 ASTM Standards

ASTM D3359 Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test
7.4 ISO Standards
ISO 2409 Paints and varnishes — Cross-cut test

4
 APPROVED FOR SUPPLIER
DISTRIBUTION JDQ 17
A
Summary of Changes from Previous Edition
(For Information Only — Not Part of the Standard)

• Editorial revision of clause 1.2.

• Add new clause 1.3 according to Engineering Standards policy.
• Revise clause 3.1 to add sentence about using a standard razor blade knife may be used for test
specimens with complex sample geometry or rough surface profile.
• Revise clause 3.4 to update from Permacell 99™ to Elcometer 99™ are to change this tape from
required to preferred.
• Add Note 1 to identify the trademark owner for Elcometer 99.