WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA — ASTM has announced a major change in its Standard Test Method for Scrub Resistance of Wall Paints (ASTM D 2486), a procedure that determines the resistance of wall paint to erosion caused by scrubbing.

In the standard’s newly introduced “Method B,” two paints are drawn down simultaneously, with one of the paints serving as a “control,” or reference paint. The test method was revised by ASTM Subcommittee D01.42 on Architectural Coatings in a project led by Thomas Sliva of DL Laboratories. ASTM standards are available from the organization’s customer service department at 610/832.9585; e-mail service@astm.org, or website store at www.astm.org. More information also is available from Sliva at DL Labs, 212/777.4445; e-mail dllabs@aol.com.

ASTM also announced plans for a mini-symposium, “New Developments in Paint Testing Instruments,” on Jan. 23, 2001, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The symposium, to be held in conjunction with the ASTM’s semi-annual meeting, will examine areas that should be considered for development or improvement of testing methods, the organization said. Suppliers of coatings test instruments will review testing methods and equipment that they are proposing for consideration by ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications.