{"id":5458,"date":"2026-09-18T12:30:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T10:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lemgalvanica.com\/?p=5458"},"modified":"2026-09-18T12:30:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T10:30:06","slug":"quality-testing-electroplating-pvd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lemgalvanica.com\/en\/quality-testing-electroplating-pvd\/","title":{"rendered":"Quality testing in electroplating and PVD: what is measured, how it is read, and which standards apply"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Electroplated and PVD coatings cannot be evaluated by eye alone. Color, brightness, and visual uniformity are only part of the picture: the actual behavior of a piece, its resistance to wear, abrasion, and corrosion, is measured in the laboratory<\/a> using standardized tests that simulate months of use in just a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article describes the main quality controls applied to surface treatments<\/a>: adhesion, wear resistance, thickness, color, and corrosion. For each, we cover: what it simulates, how it is performed, and how to read the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Adhesion tests: cross-cut, tape test, and bending<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Adhesion is the baseline requirement.<\/strong> A deposit that does not adhere properly to the substrate will deteriorate rapidly, regardless of its intrinsic quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cross-cut test<\/strong> (ISO 2409) is the most common standardized method. A grid of perpendicular cuts is made through the coating down to the base metal, an adhesive tape with a defined adhesion force (e.g., 3M 600) is applied, pressed firmly, and removed with a sharp 60\u00b0 pull after 60\u201390 seconds. The result is evaluated on a scale from 0 (no detachment) to 5 (detachment over 65% of the surface). For fashion and luxury applications, the expected value is 0 or 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The qualitative tape test<\/strong> is a variant without incisions: tape is applied to a curved or critical area and pulled off directly. If the coating comes off, adhesion is insufficient for normal use. It does not replace the cross-cut but serves as a quick production indicator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bending test<\/strong> shifts the focus from static adhesion to ductility under stress: the piece is bent to 90\u00b0 or 180\u00b0, and the bending zone is analyzed with a magnifying glass or microscope. The defects looked for are cracking<\/em> (a network of cracks indicating a brittle or overly thick coating), flaking<\/em> (scale-like detachment indicating poor chemical adhesion), and crazing<\/em> (widespread micro-cracking, typical of rigid lacquers). This simulates buckles under load, snap hooks, and components subject to torsion. Expected result: no visible phenomena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wear resistance test: Turbula<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Turbula test<\/strong> measures how well a coating withstands prolonged rubbing<\/strong>, the equivalent of weeks of daily use simulated in a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The principle is dry mass finishing<\/strong>: the accessory is placed in a container with an abrasive media (ceramic, plastic, ground walnut shells) and put into a three-dimensional mixer. The movement ensures the abrasive hits all surfaces, including edges. The duration and type of media vary according to the brand’s required standards, which are often stricter than ISO norms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the cycle, three parameters<\/strong> are evaluated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n