ASTM F3152-16 PDF

Full title and description

Designation: ASTM F3152-16 — Standard Test Method for Determining Abrasion Resistance of Inks and Coatings on Substrates Using Dry or Wet Abrasive Medium. This test method describes procedures to subject inks or coatings on a variety of substrates to controlled abrasion (dry or wet) to compare relative resistance and assess the effects of chemicals or media on surface wear.

Abstract

ASTM F3152-16 specifies a laboratory abrasion procedure (using dry or wet abrasive media) to produce visible wear or breakthrough of inks and coatings on substrates such as printed or coated polyester, polycarbonate, and silicone rubber. The method is intended for comparative testing, quality control, and research and development; it does not attempt to correlate directly to a specified number of human touches. The standard includes definitions (for example, “final breakthrough”), apparatus recommendations, specimen mounting, load settings, and test procedures.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (withdrawal recorded 27 November 2023).
• Publication date: Current edition approved May 1, 2016 (published May 2016; originally issued 2015/2016 cycle).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 31.220.20 (Switches); 87.080 (Inks, printing inks).
• Edition / version: F3152-16 (2016).
• Number of pages: 3 (concise test method).

Scope

This test method covers procedures for abrading inks or coatings on substrates using a dry or wet abrasive medium under a specified force and number of cycles to evaluate relative abrasion resistance and the effect of chemicals. It is applicable to a wide range of materials (printed/coated polyester, polycarbonate, silicone rubber, membrane switch materials, flat or contoured samples) provided the abrasion produces visible wear or breakthrough. The method is intended for comparison between like samples and for quality control and R&D; it is not a direct metric for real-world finger-touch counts.

Key topics and requirements

• Test objective: produce visible wear or first-surface breakthrough and record the number of cycles to final breakthrough where applicable.
• Apparatus: machines capable of cyclic abrasion under controlled loads; normative references to Norman Tool equipment (examples: WA-1010 Wet Abrader, RCA Abrader) are cited as suggested apparatus.
• Specimen mounting and alignment: rigid mounting fixtures and defined alignment of the targeted test point to applied force.
• Load and conditions: specified forces for wet and dry tests (examples and default loads given in the method), optional application of chemicals to simulate contaminants.
• Measurements and end points: visual inspection for wear/breakthrough, cycle counts, and comparative reporting rather than absolute service-life prediction.
• Limitations: method compares relative resistance under the same test conditions; many variables affect abrasion so results are test-condition dependent.

Typical use and users

Used by quality-control laboratories, R&D teams, coating and ink manufacturers, membrane-switch and keypad producers, and materials engineers who need a repeatable comparative test of abrasion resistance for printed or coated surfaces. Typical applications include durability screening for key legends, decorative inks, overlays, and printed electronics. Equipment vendors and test houses that supply Norman Tool abrading instruments commonly perform the test.

Related standards

ASTM F3152-16 is part of a family of abrasion methods for inks/coatings. It follows and consolidates earlier related designations: F3152-15 (earlier WA-1010 wet abrader-specific version) and earlier F2357-10 (RCA abrader method for membrane switches). Other abrasion standards (for other substrates or abrasion geometries) such as ASTM D4060 (Taber abrasion) may be used for different test geometries or comparative contexts.

Keywords

abrasion resistance, inks, coatings, membrane switches, Norman Tool, WA-1010, RCA abrader, wet abrader, dry abrader, final breakthrough, printed electronics, durability testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM F3152-16 is a short (3-page) ASTM test method that defines procedures to determine relative abrasion resistance of inks and coatings on substrates using dry or wet abrasive media.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus recommendations, specimen mounting, loading and alignment, abrasion cycles (wet or dry), use of chemicals/contaminants when required, and criteria such as visual wear or “final breakthrough” as end points for comparative testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: QC and R&D labs, coating and ink formulators, membrane-switch and keypad manufacturers, test houses, and materials engineers concerned with surface durability and cosmetic longevity of printed/coated parts.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ASTM F3152-16 was approved May 1, 2016, but the designation was recorded as Withdrawn on 27 November 2023. Users should verify whether a replacement or alternate method is preferred for current testing programs.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is the 2016 iteration of the F3152 designation and follows prior versions such as F3152-15 and earlier related methods (for example, F2357-10). These related documents show the evolution of the method and references to equipment types (WA-1010 wet abrader, RCA abrader).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Abrasion resistance; inks; coatings; membrane switch; WA-1010; RCA abrader; wet/dry abrasive medium; final breakthrough; printed electronics.