SAE J2215_199112

This SAE Recommended Practice applies to evaluation of the conformance match condition existing between two surfaces. Evaluation of this conformance may be especially useful in bonded applications although it may also have relevance to bolted adjacent surface joint conditions. Since good bonding surface conformity is necessary for providing optimal bond performance with pressure sensitive adhesives, the purpose of this document is to provide a method of evaluating the conformance match of the mating surfaces. This document is intended as a guide toward standard practice but may be subject to frequent change to keep pace with experience and technical advances. This should be kept in mind when considering the use of this document. Tool types, materials, application tools, and component contact area evaluation methods are included as part of this document. In most cases a visual evaluation of contact performance may be satisfactory; however, for greater accuracy a measurement tool may be used. When reporting a contact value the mode of evaluation (e.g., visual, measurement tool) should be indicated. Manufacturers have experienced difficulty in quantifying the free state match or contact occurring between mating components. There have been no consistently accurate testing methods available for evaluating this component contact. While there has been wide acceptance of the use of applied films and dyes, no real defined or consistent testing methods were available for addressing this surface contact. Consequently, surface match checks and quality checks based upon these tests were not dependable. In addition, these methods did not effectively permit tuning of component surfaces at initial fabrication stages. This could provide a fitted surface from every manufactured component permitting surface contact to be more effectively controlled.