This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D903 − 98 (Reapproved 2017)

Standard Test Method for

Peel or Stripping Strength of Adhesive Bonds1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D903; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope the test without failure. In order to fulfill all terms of the
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the com- definition, at least one of the adhered materials must be
parative peel or stripping characteristics of adhesive bonds flexible.
when tested on standard-sized specimens and under defined 3.2.2 peel or stripping strength, n—the average load per unit
conditions of pretreatment, temperature, and testing machine width of bond line required to separate progressively one
speed. member from the other over the adhered surfaces at a separa-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the tion angle of approximately 180° and at a separation rate of 152
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information mm (6 in.)/min. It is expressed in kilograms per millimetre
only. (pounds per inch) of width.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4. Apparatus
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1 Testing Machine—A power-driven machine, with a con-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- stant rate-of-jaw separation or of the inclination balance or
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. pendulum type, which fulfills the following requirements:
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 4.1.1 The applied tension as measured and recorded is
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the accurate within 61 %.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4.1.2 Hold specimens in the testing machine by grips which
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical clamp firmly and prevent slipping at all times.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 4.1.3 The rate of travel of the power-actuated grip is 305
mm (12 in.)/min. This rate which provides a separation of 152
2. Referenced Documents mm (6 in.)/min is to be uniform throughout the tests.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 4.1.4 Operate the machine without any device for maintain-
D907 Terminology of Adhesives ing maximum load indication. In pendulum-type machines, the
weight lever swings as a free pendulum without engagement of
3. Terminology
pawls.
3.1 Definitions—Many terms used in this test method are 4.1.5 The machine is autographic giving a chart having the
defined in Terminology D907.
inches of separation as one axis and applied tension as the other
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: axis of coordinates.
3.2.1 flexible, n—in this test method, indicates a material of 4.1.6 The capacity of the machine is such that the maximum
the proper flexural strength and thickness to permit a turn back applied tension during test does not exceed 85 % nor be less
at an approximate 180° angle in the expected loading range of than 15 % of the rated capacity.

1
4.2 Conditioning Room or Desiccators—A conditioning
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D14 on
Adhesives and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D14.80 on Metal
room capable of maintaining a relative humidity of 50 6 2 %
Bonding Adhesives. at 23 6 1°C (73.4 6 2°F), or desiccators filled with a saturated
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published November 2017. Originally salt solution (Note 1) to give a relative humidity of 50 6 2 %
approved in 1946. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D903 – 98 (2010).
DOI: 10.1520/D0903-98R17.
at 23 6 1°C are required for the conditioning of some
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or specimens.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on NOTE 1—A saturated salt solution of calcium nitrate gives approxi-
the ASTM website. mately 51 % relative humidity at the testing temperature.

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