Evaluating the abrasion resistance of coatings with abrasive finishing tape

Abrasion resistance is often a coating or surface treatmentʹs most important characteristic. Unfortunately, most of the many abrasion tests that exist were not developed for use on thin coatings and surface treatments (<50 μm). This paper describes the modification of the ASTM G 174 loop abrasion test for metals into a standard test that applies to thin, hard coatings. st development and modifications are described and test data are presented on typical hard coatings (anodize, PVD TiN, chromium, etc.). The test is simple, fast, and it ranked the test coatings in agreement with known industrial experience. It is proposed that a coating test procedure be added to the G 174 standard, and that it be considered for use by surface engineers when abrasion resistance is a desired property.