Industrial Coating Testing
Powder Coating being applied for coating evaluation testing
Industrial Coatings are commonly used for corrosion protection of the base substrate, where there are an infinite amount of tests to assess a coatings performance. Some of these tests include: adhesion, scratch, and pencil hardness tests for example. These tests are generally carried out at two stages. Firstly, when the paint or coating has had sufficient time to cure. Secondly (once the initial tests have taken place & adequate performance has been established) after exposure to an elevated environment. These secondary tests include: temperature, humidity, corrosive environment, or a combination of all of these.
We are seeing the requirement more & more for visual assessments purely from an aesthetic point of view. Where the visible finish for the user is of high priority. Visual assessment by eye include degree of blistering, rusting, flaking & delamination.
Paint Adhesion testing equipment.
Assessments for colour & gloss require specialist equipment. Similarly to the physical testing of coating, visual tests are generally carried out at two stages. When the coating is cured & post exposure to elevated environment. Gloss can be measured & a quantitative result reported regardless of colour. Colour testing tends to be by comparison to either a known colour standard. Alternatively by change in colour, by comparison with a sample of the same colour batch that hasn’t had environmental exposure. This requires the retention of a sample to be stored in suitable environments whilst the remaining samples are under test.
Test Methods Include:
- ISO 2813- Paints and varnishes — Determination of gloss value at 20°, 60° and 85°
- ASTM D523- Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss.
- ISO 105-A02- test for colour fastness – grey scale for assessing change in colour.
Aerofin Laboratories offer a wide range of physical & visual tests on paints / coatings. Offering support at every stage of the process from viscosity, total dissolved solids & mixing / spraying ability of the liquid coating pre application. To colour & gloss evaluations of the finished product with everything in between.
A small offering of Aerofin capabilities can be seen by clicking here.
