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Paint Performance Testing: Coating Tests with Pass/Fail Criteria

Test Method Selection

We have selected three British Standards which between them cover the majority of paints applied to the interior and exterior of buildings. The standards have the added advantage that they define pass/fail criteria.

The time scale and the cost of each test is also given. There will be situations where clients require a faster/cheaper indication of paint quality and with this in mind we have compiled suites of test methods (mainly international but with some in-house) which we regard as a means of obtaining the maximum amount of information with the minimum expenditure of time and money.

Please visit out Testing and Assessment of Coatings page for details.

BS 7719: Specification for Water-borne Emulsion Paints for Interior Use

The standard defines three classes of matt and semi-gloss emulsion paint:-

• low wear resistance of the type used on ceilings.
• general purpose.
• high wear and moisture resistance for areas like schools, hospitals, kitchens and bathrooms.

Depending on the class of paint, test methods and performance requirements are defined for storage stability, consistency, drying time, low temperature film formation, appearance, opacity, colour, scrub resistance, crack resistance, gloss, adhesion and resistance to fungal growth.

Duration of Test: 6 weeks.

BS 7664 Specification for Undercoat and Finishing Paints

This standard has been drafted to cover a wide range of coatings intended for interior and/or exterior use on any substrate but mainly on wood or metal. The only restriction appears to be that the coating has to be suitable for application by brush, roller or spray. Our policy is to use this standard only if there is no better alternative. We would, for example, use it to test an internal water-borne gloss paint. If however we wished to test an internal water-borne wall coating, we would regard BS 7719 as more appropriate.

Test methods and performance requirements are defined for storage stability, consistency, application properties, colour, drying time, gloss, opacity, wet edge time, yellowing, flexibility, adhesion and (in the case of exterior paints) resistance to natural and artificial weathering.

Duration of Test: 14 months.

BS EN 927 Parts 1 to 5 Coating Materials and Coating Systems for Exterior Wood

This standard applies to all coating materials and coating systems intended for the decoration and protection of exterior wood except wood preservatives. A comprehensive scheme allows a coating to be classified in terms of intended use, appearance and severity of exposure conditions. This classification is then used as the basis for selecting the tests to be carried out and their pass/fail criteria.

In addition to the mandatory tests, a number of optional tests are described which are available to manufacturers of specialised products. Resistance to mould growth is an example of an optional test and this would be chosen by a manufacturer who wished to demonstrate the efficiency of a biocidal wood coating.

Test methods and performance requirements are defined for blistering, cracking, flaking, adhesion, water permeability, blocking, stackability, biocidal activity and resistance to natural and artificial weathering.

Duration of Test: 14 months.

Please contact Peter Collins for prices, details of sample requirements and payment terms.

 

 

 

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