Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Paint Testing

I'm an asst chemist in a paint company who is concerned about the specific chemical tests for paints and coatings. Can you give me the recommended chemical tests and evaluation for paints and coatings and the needed instruments since our company only conducts physical tests.

Ann Madrigal
employee - Legazpi City, Philippines
January 12, 2011

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Hi, Ann.

If you search this site for paint testing you will see reference to bond (adhesive tape) testing, impact testing, IR testing, UV testing, salt spray testing, MEK testing, Florida testing, cross-hatch testing, thickness testing, mar testing, rub testing, viscosity testing, and even lead testing and more. I have a book on my shelf of approximately 1000 pages just on paint testing, and four or five on paint formulation. In other words, this is a very broad subject.

Hopefully, if you start a dialog about what you are painting, with what kind of paint, and why, an experienced reader may be able to point you to 3 or 4 especially important testing specifications. Good luck!

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Hi, Ann,

Please find below are the general testing of the paints;

Dry Film thickness
Gloss
Hardness - Scratch, Pencil etc.
Adhesion - Cross cut test
Flexibility test
Stripping test
Erichsen cupping test
Impact resistance
Resistance to Heat
Light Fastness test
Weather resistance test
Salt spray test
Humidity test
Water resistance test
Acid /Alkali resistance test
Oil/Petrol resistance test

These are the general tests for paints.

Madhukar Warat
- Aurangabad, India