When you are using paint films for your home or business, you want them to last longer. Durability of products is something that every customer expects from a renowned manufacturer. The term "durability" is not just linked to the mechanical product but impacts almost every product in the industry including the paint films industry.
Before shipping the paint films to the right customer, manufacturers must perform a durability test that should be compliant with strict Indian Standards. For paint films, IS 101-6/Sec 2 is the most reliable and frequently used standard that ensures that the produced paint will sustain the real climatic conditions, maintain quality and physical properties over time.
In this article, we will discuss everything about the IS 101-6/Sec 2 (1989) standard such as what it is, why it is important, and how the durability testing procedure is completed.
What is IS 101-6/Sec 2 (1989) Standard
IS 101-6/Sec 2 (1989) is an Indian Standard, published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and outlines the detailed steps for testing and sampling of paint films. The standard is frequently used for quality control, shelf assessment, and durability of paint films. The primary purpose of IS 101-6/Sec 2 is to check the durability of paint films and varnishes in real-world scenarios of temperature, humidity and other climatic conditions.
IS 101-6/Sec 2 (1989) standard is an integral part of the automotive industry, paint industry, heavy industrial equipment, electrical instruments and other products that require paint films. In the detailed guidelines that include scope and purpose, the standard checks the temperature, sustainability and relative humidity as well.
Clauses of IS 101-6/Sec 2 For Paint Films
The clauses of IS 101-6/Sec. 2 described the specific rules, testing criteria, and procedure to conduct the durability test of paint films. The clauses include the scope of the test, apparatus to be used, sampling, procedure, report and finally evaluation.
Clause 1 (Scope): Clause 1, known as scope, describes the standard method for changes that appear in packaged thin solvent or a specific type of paint which is known as latex paint. It outlines the test of changing the properties of paint films in room conditions.
Clause 2 (Apparatus): Clause 2 of IS 101-6/Sec 2 outlines which instrument should be used to complete the durability testing of paint films. Commonly, flexible steel spatula is used for this purpose with a size of 120 mm length, 20 mm width, and a weight of 45 +/- 1 gram.
Clause 3 (Sampling): Clause 3 is a short but important part of the whole testing procedure where the standard outlines the sample, such as which sample of paint film is to be taken for testing.
Clause 4 (Test Procedure): Clause 4 is where the core of the IS 101-6/Sec 2 lies. It mainly defines the storage simulation of paint films. The clause outlines how a packaged paint will behave after 1 year including its adhesiveness and thickness, or also checks if it performs uniformly as it did a year back.
Clause 5 (Report and Evaluation): The final clause of IS 101-6/Sec 2 is to evaluate the testing result of the test procedure in the above steps. It evaluates the physical conditions and the holding strength of paint films after a certain period.
IS 101-6/Sec 2 (1989) Standard Test Procedure
The IS 101-6/Sec 2 standard outlines the testing procedure for paint films and varnishes under certain conditions. Along with the durability of paint films, the standard tests the environmental conditions as well like humidity and temperature susceptibility. The following are the steps and tests that are performed to complete the procedure as per the standard:
Resistance to Humidity
Paint and paint films are highly susceptible to humidity and can degrade faster than expected. The humidity test, to be conducted with a humidity test chamber, involves suspending the painted panel for a certain period at a relative humidity of 100%. It also focuses on measuring the temperature cycle for 42 to 48 degrees Celsius up to seven days and then measuring any sign of degradation. Metal panels, corrosion cabinets, etc., are used which are prescribed in 2.1.1.1.
Neutral Salt Spray Test
The neutral salt spray test is conducted to check the resistance of paint and coatings against corrosion. A spray cabinet is used for this purpose which should have a capacity of not less than 0.4 m3 as a lower volume of cabinet may lack the proper distribution of spray.
Also, the heat inside the cabinet must be adequate to maintain the specified temperature discussed in the above clauses. The test solution is also an important factor to consider where a distilled concentration of 50 +/- 5 g/l needs to be maintained.
Artificial Seawater Spray Test
An artificial seawater spray test is conducted to determine the resistance of paint films against artificial sea conditions. This artificial condition is prepared through aeration using chlorides of sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and others along with potassium bromide and sodium bicarbonate. A panel of a 150 by 100 by 1.25 mm mild steel plate is used to complete the test at room temperature for 24 hours and 4 days of spray solution.
Testronix Paint Impact Tester for Durability of Paint Films
Different equipment is used to test the durability, longevity, and quality of paint over time. There are humidity tests, neutral salt spray tests and an artificial seawater test that are used to check the specific quality or properties of paint films. If you are looking for standalone equipment for testing paint films, Testronix offers an advanced paint impact tester to measure durability and other properties.
Our paint impact tester is fully compliant with IS 101-6/Sec 2 (1989) to ensure that paint and coating materials stay longer without impacting the quality. Testronix paint testers ensure a powerful clamping system, anti-friction guide tubes, interchangeable weights, and compliance with international standards. Our instruments are designed to cater to all industry players, from small enterprises to large businesses.
Conclusion
Producing beautiful paint films for different industries is one thing but they must follow all industrial guidelines referring to quality, performance and durability over time. This is where IS 101-6/Sec 2 becomes important for industries, as it clearly outlines how the test will be conducted, the scope of the test, and the final result with evaluation.
If you have found anything confusing regarding how to perform the test and what equipment to use, contact us today and get complete technical details right from our experts, along with an advanced paint impact tester and installation guide.
