ISO 26443:2008 specifies a method for the qualitative evaluation of the adhesion of ceramic coatings up to 20 µm thick by indentation with a Rockwell diamond indenter. The formation of cracks after indentation may also reveal cohesive failure. The indentations are made with a Rockwell hardness test instrument.
The method described may also be suitable for evaluating the adhesion of metallic coatings.
The test is not suitable for elastic coatings on hard substrates.