Prime Scientific - Testing Solutions for Paints and Coatings

Introduction

The terms “paints” and “coatings” often mean the same thing. Most commonly paints are considered to be used primarily for aesthetics, while coatings are used principally to prevent substrate deterioration, or for corrosion protection. Industrial coatings are most commonly used for corrosion protection of metal substrates in structures.

The paint and plating testing instruments have a huge importance in the metal industry. It is used to test the non-conductive coating on the non-ferrous surface. It also checks how and for how long, the coating can save the surface from corrosion. The instrument will check the life, quality and thickness of the paint on any surface.

Testing Instruments for Paints and Coatings

There are different numbers of parameters for instruments of paint testing. The most common and popular instruments are gloss meter, Salt spray chamber, Humidity chamber, Hot water bath, Hot air oven, paint impact tester, Scratch hardness tester, Cupping machine etc.

Characterization of liquid coating materials

The properties of the raw coating determine the quality of the material. In addition, characteristic values such as surface tension, viscosity or density provide information on the processability of the coating material. Standardized drying tests, which determine, among other things, the through-drying state, through-drying time or stackability of the painted surfaces, complete the picture of the properties that have an effect on the painting result.

In addition to many standardized test methods, our coating technology experts have at their disposal a broad portfolio of analytical methods that enable them to make precise statements about the type and composition, reactivity and crosslinking of the coating material, among other things. With a view to the development of functional coatings, properties such as conductivity or electrical resistance can also be determined.

Testing of coatings

Characterization of the cured coating is used to test the suitability of the material used. Test methods are used for quality control as well as for new developments and product qualifications. Frequently tested properties are:

1. Adhesion strength
2. Coating thickness
3. Hardness and elasticity
4. Abrasion, scratch and scuff resistance
5. Chemical resistance
6. Stone ship resistance
7. Permeability
8. Testing and simulation of the long-term performance of coatings (e.g. UV Test and Xenon)
9. Pressure water-jetting

We will discuss as examples some of the main tests for paints and coatings and the instruments used in the analysis:

Coating Thickness Gauge

It is true professional product for material thickness measurement or coating thickness measurements and flaw detection. The Coating thickness gauge has high accuracy and can calculate the reading Precisely. The results are displayed on a digital screen. The instrument is highly effective and easy to operate.

Martindale Abrasion Cum Pilling Tester

This tester, is designed in accordance with international standards such as ISO 5470:2009, BS 3424, and ASTM D4966-12. The machine provides highly accurate test results by applying uniform pressure through weights. It features an advanced digital preset timer controller and displays the set count for easy monitoring. This abrasion tester is designed with variable load options of 9KPa (for apparel) and 12KPa (for upholstery), allowing testing in different standards. Its ergonomic design includes a bright LED display, and the drive mechanism ensures vibration-free and noise-free operation. With its ability to evaluate the abrading of textile materials using a Lissajous pattern, the Martindale Abrasion cum Pilling Tester is an essential tool for quality assessment in the textile industry.

UV Light Accelerated Weathering Tester

We all know polymers are used in different industries to design products. It is important for polymer testing manufacturers to test the effects of polymers against different environmental conditions.

By exposing materials to controlled UV radiation, researchers can simulate the effects of longterm exposure in a much shorter period, allowing them to quickly identify weaknesses or failure 14 / 24 points in materials, and make improvements or modifications to their design or formulation as needed. This can help improve the overall quality, safety, and longevity of materials used in a wide range of products. It has been made in accordance with industry standards that include ISO – 4892-3:2013, ASTM D 4329-13, ASTM D 4587-11, and ASTM G-151-10. This will ensure accuracy in test results.

Accelerated Ageing Oven

The ageing oven is designed to calculate the relative resistance of rubber to wearing and tearing over a period of time. The rubber is exposed to controlled deteriorating factors for a specific period of time. Properties of rubber are then analysed and studied after the test.

Gloss Meter

Gloss Meter Tri-angle is a device which is designed specially to measure the gloss reflection on the surface of the material. The instrument is provided with numerous geometrical angles to fulfill the testing need of a vast number of customers. The device is designed specifically to measure the gloss of a particular surface and to ascertain the amount of light which is redirected from the material.

It is an extremely appropriate testing device to test the gloss of different products such as plastics, metals, paints, papers and ceramics. It is very portable and handy testing device which is operated by a handy battery. The gloss of the material can be measured from different geometrical angles i.e. 20°, 60°, 85°. It is highly sensitive and compact device which is available in various models mainly to fulfill different testing purposes. The instrument is used to measure the brightness, whiteness of the various products such as white sugar and many more and also measure the reflectance of the fabrics when placed in different lighting conditions. It provides great correlation of shining or visual gloss when the sample is placed flat.

The correlation of the glass changes if the sample is tilted from the flat position. The procedure is used to measure the shine, appearance, and quality of the products.

The instrument is more suitable to measure the gloss of paints, brightness of paints, opaque glasses, plastics, ceramics, pigments, papers, powders, clothes and many more.

Related Standards ASTM D2457, ASTM D523, ISO2813, GB/T 9754.

References

1. https://www.aerofinlabs.com/coating-evaluation/paint-testing/

2. https://www.testronixinstruments.com/paint-plating-testing-instruments/

3.https://www.ifam.fraunhofer.de/en/technologies/testing-laboratory-for-paints-coatings-corrosion.html