W. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA — A new ASTM International standard describes a solvent rub technique that can be used in the laboratory, field or fabrication shop for assessing the solvent resistance of an organic coating that chemically and/or physically changes during the curing process. ASTM D 7835, Test Method for Determining the Solvent Resistance of an Organic Coating Using a Mechanical Rubbing Machine, was developed by Subcommittee D01.53 on Coil Coated Metal, part of ASTM International Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications.

Ted Best, a scientist with Valspar Corp. and a D01 member, says that the coil coated metals that are covered in the new standard are used in many markets, such as metal buildings, siding, roofing, trim, appliances, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Best also noted that use of the standard would not be limited to the coil coating industry.

According to Best, ASTM D 7835 fills a need that had existed to standardize the test procedure described. In addition, the standard will be used to measure the precision of this method compared to the manual method, which is described in ASTM D5402, Practice for Assessing the Solvent Resistance of Organic Coatings Using Solvent Rubs. Interested parties are encouraged to participate in the standards developing activities of D01.53. Now that ASTM D7835 has been approved, the subcommittee will be developing a precision statement for the standard. Laboratories, particularly those that work with coil coated metals, are invited to participate in the upcoming interlaboratory study.

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