This document 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 can also reveal cohesive failure. The indentations are made with a Rockwell hardness test instrument.

The method described in this document can also be suitable for evaluating the adhesion of metallic coatings.

The test is not suitable for elastic coatings on hard substrates.