Durability Test Paint

DURABILITY TESTS:
Controlled Temperature and Humidity Exposure
Scope and Field of Application

This method can be used to give an indication of how well a
painted surface will resist a wide range of temperature/humidity
conditions. If you are particularly interested in resistance to
exposure to warm humid conditions, please refer to our
Resistance to Humidity test page. Coatings intended to resist
prolonged contact with water can be tested for Resistance to
Immersion.
Like all laboratory tests, the method described here has its
advantages and limitations and these are summarised, in general
terms, on our Testing Paints for Resistance to Weathering page.
Summary of Method
Samples are exposed in a Fisons Climatic Cabinet which is essentially a chamber mounted above an air
treatment assembly containing a heating element, a chilled water operated heat exchanger, water atomisers
and an air recirculating system. The chamber is equipped with temperature and humidity sensors together
with an electronic control and recording system.
We can use this equipment to test the resistance of coatings to extremes of temperature and humidity.
Temperatures can range from -5 to +50 °Centigrade and we can advise on the relative humidities obtainable
within this temperature range.
The cabinet can be maintained at one set of conditions or it can be cycled, for example, between hot/humid
and cold/dry. A typical specification might be:-
 Eight hours at 40°C and 95%+ relative humidity followed by

 Sixteen hours at 20°C and 70% relative humidity.
In practice, not all possible combinations of temperature, relative humidity and cycle time can be attained. We
will be pleased to advise on what is possible.
One consequence of the versatility of the equipment is that there are numerous standard methods of
operation. We can select from BS, ISO, DIN and ASTM methods for the testing of paints, varnishes, plastics,
rubbers, bituminous materials and printed items and we will be pleased to advise on the most appropriate
conditions for testing your materials.
Sample Requirements
The chamber dimensions are 80 x 80 x 86 cm and we can accommodate any number of samples that will fit
within this chamber provided that their total weight does not exceed 20 Kg.
Page 1 of 9
We recommend that samples are run in triplicate.
If you wish, we can prepare the test panels. The quantity of liquid paint we needs depends on the method of
application. We will be pleased to advise you regarding our requirements.
Artificial Weathering using a Fluorescent Lamp

Source
ASTM G154

This is a method of determining the resistance of paint films and allied materials to artificial weathering. It
aims to replicate the degradation caused by sunlight (either direct or through window glass) and rainfall. If
you are more concerned with colour fading of surfaces exposed to sunlight indoors, please refer to our
Assessment of Lightfastness page.
Like all laboratory tests, the method described here has its advantages and limitations and these are
summarised, in general terms, on our Testing Paints for Resistance to Weathering page.
The main disadvantages of the ASTM G154 method are:-
 the fluorescent lamps defined by the standard are not a good approximations to natural sunlight. The
difference is greatest at wavelengths above 350 nm.
 the test samples have to be flat and there are limitations on the size of samples that can be tested.
The main advantages of the ASTM G154 method are:-
 it is a relatively cheap and simple method.
 it is the most widely used method for obtaining information on the exterior durability of surface
coatings.
In addition to this method you may also wish to consider the advantages and limitations of the enclosed
carbon arc and the xenon arc tests.
There are no pass/fail criteria defined in the standard. This is a matter of agreement between the parties
concerned.
The actual standard is a copyright-protected document and we are not able to provide you with copies. If
required however, you can easily obtain a copy from the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Summary of Method
Page 2 of 9
The test panels are exposed to radiation from bank of fluorescent lamps and mounted above a heated water
container. The rear surfaces of the panels are air-cooled and consequently water condenses on the test
surfaces during periods when the lamps are switched off.
The standard defines eight different exposure cycles in terms of lamp type, irradiance, black panel
temperature and the periods of illumination and condensation. The standard also states which cycles have
been used for testing surface coatings and plastics in general, automotive paints, roofing materials and wood
finishes. In fact any exposure conditions can be used provided they are detailed in the test report. We will be
pleased to advise on the most appropriate conditions for testing your materials.
No information is given in the standard relating the number of hours under test to the number of years natural
exposure. In our experience when exterior alkyd gloss paints are exposed in the test cabinet for 1000 hours
they undergo a loss of gloss equivalent to 1 year of natural exposure in Southern England. The cabinet
exposure conditions were:-
 Q-UVA lamps.
 0.77 watts per square metre per nanometre irradiance.
 4 hours illumination at 60°C followed by 4 hours condensation at 50°C. This cycle is repeated
continuously.
Sample Requirements
Ideally 150 x 75 mm panels not more that 5 mm thick, although we can accommodate a limited number of
150 x 100 mm panels provided they are less than 5 mm thick. If you have smaller samples you can fix them
to 150 x 75 mm panels provided the overall thickness does not exceed 5 mm. If your samples are larger, you
may wish to consider the enclosed carbon arc method.
The standard recommends running samples in triplicate.
Artificial Weathering using an Enclosed Carbon

Arc Source
BS 3900-F3

This is a method of determining the resistance of paint films and allied materials to artificial weathering. It
aims to replicate the degradation caused by sunlight and rainfall. If you are more concerned with colour
fading of surfaces exposed to sunlight indoors, please refer to our light fastness testing page
Page 3 of 9
The main disadvantages of the BS 3900-F3 method are:-
 the standard is obsolete.

 there is no control of temperature/humidity in the chamber.
 the enclosed carbon arc is not a good approximation to natural sunlight.
In spite of this the method is still widely used, the advantages being:-
 it is the only method available that can accommodate large/heavy samples.

 it has been in use for many years and users have built up substantial correlation data with natural
weathering.
In addition to this method you may also wish to consider the advantages and limitations of the fluorescent
lamp and the xenon arc tests.
concerned.
required however, you can easily obtain a copy from the British Standards Institution.
Summary of Method
The test samples are mounted around the inside of a drum which rotates slowly around an arc lamp enclosed
by a borosilicate glass cylinder. The chamber also contains water atomisers which are used to spray the
samples with distilled water and a fan which is used for ventilation. Apart for a daily maintenance period, the
arc runs continuously while the fan and the water atomisers are switched on and off in a prescribed manner.
The standard states that paint systems that give results that correlate most successfully with natural
weathering include oil-modified alkyds and oleoresinous paints. It also states that 12 weeks continuous
exposure is equivalent to three to four years exposure to natural weathering in the UK.
Sample Requirements
In addition to the normal 150 x 100 mm or 150 x 75 mm test panels, we can accommodate samples up to 300
x 300 x 180 mm. Individual samples can weigh up to 5 Kg and the total chamber load is limited to 50 Kg.
The standard does not specify the number of replicates but we would normally recommend running samples
in triplicate especially in cases where a variable substrate like wood is used.
Page 4 of 9
Natural Weathering
BS 3900-F6

Natural weathering of paints and similar materials involves exposing test panels outdoors at appropriate
locations. These locations can be chosen on the basis of climate ( eg tropical, temperate, desert ) or on the
basis of atmospheric pollution ( eg rural, industrial, marine).
The advantages and limitations of artificial weathering are summarised, in general terms, on our Testing
Paints for Resistance to Weathering page. Natural weathering has the single important advantage that, for a
given location, it provides the most reliable data on how a coating will perform in service. There are however
a number of disadvantages:-
 if the coatings under test are highly durable, it can take years to obtain sufficient degradation to
enable them to be differentiated.
 climatic variation are such that no two years are the same and consequently you can never reproduce
the results you obtain.
 the results obtained using small test panels are likely to differ from those obtained when large
structures are painted.
BS 3900-F6 is essentially a guidance note for the conduct of natural weathering tests. There are no pass/fail
criteria defined in the standard. This is a matter of agreement between the parties concerned.
required however, you can easily obtain a copy from the British Standards Institution.
Summary of Method
We follow the general principles of BS 3900-F6 and we can expose test panels at rural, urban, industrial and
marine sites. We can, if required, monitor the exposure conditions at regular intervals for:-
 air temperature
 black panel temperature
 humidity
 time-of-wetness
 rainfall
 UV-A
 UV-B
 total solar radiation
We recommend that the panels are assessed every six months. Normally we would rate the coatings for
blistering, chalking, cracking, flaking, microbial growth and (if on steel) for rusting. There are however a
number of additional tests that can be carried out and these are detailed on our Testing Applied Paint Films
page. You have to bear in mind that for most of these additional tests, the panels have to be returned to our
laboratory. Some of these laboratory tests are destructive so it is necessary to have sufficient panels on
exposure to allow for this.
Page 5 of 9
Sample Requirements
BS 3900-F6 requires that each test panel shall have an area of at least 300 square cm and that no side
should be less than 10 cm in length. We normally use 10 x 30 or 15 x 20 cm panels (4 x 12 or 6 x 8 inch). We
recommend that panels should be exposed in triplicate together with extra panels, if required, to allow for any
destructive testing.
Artificial Weathering using Oxygen Plasma

Erosion

Previous work carried out by PRA has shown that when paint films are exposed to a low temperature oxygen
plasma they degrade in a manner similar to that observed during natural exposure.
Oxygen plasma produces extremely rapid degradation and a few hours exposure is equivalent to several
years natural weathering. It should be emphasised however that this method is still in the development stage
and that the operating conditions of the plasma chamber need to be established for each type of paint tested.
The main disadvantages of the oxygen plasma erosion method are:-
 it is still in the development stage.

 it is not supported by any national standard.
 only a limited number of small samples can be tested simultaneously
The main advantages of the oxygen plasma erosion method are:-
 it is very fast: weathering equivalent to years of natural exposure can be carried out in hours rather
than months.
 the equipment is much cheaper to run than any other type of weatherometer.
In addition to this method you may also wish to consider the advantages and limitations of the enclosed
carbon arc, fluorescent lamp and the xenon arc tests.
Summary of Method
Page 6 of 9
The test is carried out using a Polaron Model PT 7300 Plasma Barrel Etcher. This equipment is designed for
the oxygen plasma erosion of samples prior to examination using scanning electron microscopy. The test
sample is placed in the chamber which is then evacuated and refilled with oxygen at low pressure (0.2 mbar).
Radiofrequency power (50 to 150 watts at 13.56 Mhz) is then fed into the chamber via capacitor plates in
order to generate an oxygen plasma.
A number of coated panels are produced for each system under test and these are exposed sequentially for
increasing periods of time ranging from 5 to 90 minutes. The degree of degradation of the coatings is then
measured either by gloss or degree of chalking. A plot of gloss or chalking versus time is then produced.
Comparison of these plots enables the relative rates of degradation of the test systems to be compared.
There are a number of experimental variables including:-
 the radiofrequency power input

 the gas pressure in the chamber
 the composition of the plasma gas
 whether or not the test sample is grounded (connected electrically to the general mass of the earth)
All our experience to date has shown that it is not possible to create one set of conditions that is applicable to
all classes of coatings. What we have been able to do is adjust the conditions so that we can replicate the
degradation that occurs when the same class of coatings are exposed at the same location.
We have shown, for example, that the method is better than Q-UV weathering at predicting the exterior
durability of polyester powder coatings. The oxygen plasma method produced in 90 minutes a degree of
degradation equivalent to about 1 year in Scandinavia. This compared with the 2000 hours needed for the Q-
UV method.
Sample Requirements
The technique involves exposing the samples to an oxygen plasma at low atmospheric pressure.
Consequently it is best to avoid samples that have significant amounts of residual volatiles or entrapped air.
We can test samples on wood provided they can be supplied as coated strips no more than 3 mm thick.
Samples on paper are no problem but metal panels tend to heat up 80°C in the chamber. We have found
glass microscope slides ( 76 x 51 mm ) to be the ideal substrate. Samples should not be smaller than this.
The maximum size is 150 x 100 mm x 10 mm. We require 12 panels for each sample to be tested.
Resistance to Temperature Change
ASTM D1211

ASTM D1211 is a method of determining the resistance to cracking of clear nitrocellulose lacquer films
applied to wood or plywood substrates and subjected to sudden changes from high to low temperature.
We can test to this standard or we can use it as a basis for tests involving different coatings and substrates.
Page 7 of 9
If you are concerned with the resistance of liquid coatings to changes in temperature then please refer to our
Freeze-Thaw Exposure page.
concerned.
required however, you can easily obtain a copy from the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Summary of Method
Coated test panels are placed in an oven at about 50° C for 1 hour and then transferred to a refrigerator and
stored for 1 hour at about minus 20° C. The panels are then left at room temperature for 15 minutes before
being assessed for cracking. The whole process is then repeated for an agreed number of cycles or until a
defined density and size of cracks is observed.
Sample Requirements
The panels defined in the standard are 300 x 150 x 8 mm cut from plywood. We can test panels of this size
(or smaller) cut from any substrate. At least 3 panels are required for each coating.
Resistance to Water Immersion
BS 3900-G5: ISO 2812-1
BS 3900-G8: ISO 2812-2

Water immersion tests give an indication of how well a painted surface will resist prolonged periods of
condensation in the absence of corrosive pollutants. They would, for example, be appropriate tests for wall
paints intended for use in kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. The tests are not intended to reproduce any
particular conditions of condensation and if such conditions are required then please refer to our Controlled
Temperature and Humidity and Resistance to Humidity pages.
Like all laboratory tests, the methods described here have their advantages and limitations and these are
There are no pass/fail criteria defined in the standards. This is a matter of agreement between the parties
concerned.
Page 8 of 9
The actual standards are copyright-protected documents and we are not able to provide you with copies. If
required however, you can easily obtain copies from the British Standards Institution.
Summary of Methods
We offer two test methods:-
Test Summary
The method can be used for liquids other than water.
Samples can be immersed in, or spotted with, the
liquid. The tests are conducted at 23°C. In the case of
immersion, the liquid may be stirred or aerated. The
BS 3900-G5 which is identical to ISO 2812-1
immersion time is not specified. After immersion the
panels are assessed visually for blistering. The
standard allows for re-assessment after an agreed
recovery period
The method involves the immersion of samples in
aerated water at 40°C. The immersion time is not
specified. After immersion the panels are assessed
BS 3900-G8 which is identical to ISO 2812-2 visually for blistering and other signs of deterioration.
The panels are left to air-dry at room temperature and
then assessed for adhesion, rusting, colour change
and embrittlement.
The BS 3900 Part G5 test is simpler and less severe than BS 3900 Part G8. The latter test is more
appropriate for testing paints used, for example, in industrial premises where near-constant exposure to
water wash or condensing steam is expected.
Sample Requirements
The requirements are the same for both tests. We require three coated panels 150 x 100 mm. The substrate
should be the one that is appropriate to the type of paint being tested.
Page 9 of 9

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DURABILITY TESTS:

Controlled Temperature and Humidity Exposure

Scope and Field of Application

 Eight hours at 40°C and 95%+ relative humidity followed by

Artificial Weathering using a Fluorescent Lamp

Scope and Field of Application

The main disadvantages of the ASTM G154 method are:-

The main advantages of the ASTM G154 method are:-

 it is a relatively cheap and simple method.

The standard recommends running samples in triplicate.

Artificial Weathering using an Enclosed Carbon

Scope and Field of Application

 the standard is obsolete.

 it is the only method available that can accommodate large/heavy samples.

Scope and Field of Application

Artificial Weathering using Oxygen Plasma

Scope and Field of Application

The main disadvantages of the oxygen plasma erosion method are:-

 it is still in the development stage.

The main advantages of the oxygen plasma erosion method are:-

There are a number of experimental variables including:-

 the radiofrequency power input

Resistance to Temperature Change

Scope and Field of Application

Resistance to Water Immersion

BS 3900-G5: ISO 2812-1

BS 3900-G8: ISO 2812-2

Scope and Field of Application

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