3 Test

 Condensation chamber tests should be conducted in accordance with ISO 6270.

• .1 The exposure time should be 30 days.

• .2 There should be 3 test panels.

• .3 The size of each test panel should be 150 mm x 150 mm x 3 mm. All of the panels should be treated according to the Performance standard, tables 1, 2 and 3, and coating system applied according to table 1.1.4 and 1.1.5. At the primer stage, two of the panels should be weathered for at least 2 months and cleaned by low pressure washing or other mild method. Blast sweep or high pressure washing, or other primer removal methods should not be used. The third plate should have the primer removed to St 3 before the top coat is applied. Weathering method and extent should take into consideration that the primer should be the foundation for a 15 year target life system. To facilitate innovation, alternative preparation, coating systems and dry film thicknesses may be used when clearly defined.

• .4 The reverse side of the test piece should be painted appropriately, in order not to affect the test results.

Figure 1 Condensation chamber

  3.2.1 Prior to the testing, the following measured data of the coating system should be reported:

• .1 infrared (IR) identification of the base and hardener components of the coating;

• .2 specific gravity^footnote, of the base and hardener components of the paint; and

• .3 number of pinholes, low voltage detector at 90 V.

  3.2.2 After the testing, the following measured data should be reported:

• .1 blisters and rust^footnote;

• .2 dry film thickness (DFT) (use of a template);

• .3 adhesion value^footnote; and

• .4 flexibility^footnote modified according to panel thickness (3 mm steel, 300 µm coating, 150 mm cylindrical mandrel gives 2% elongation) for information only.

  3.3.1 The test results based on section 2 should satisfy the following criteria:

  3.3.2 Epoxy-based systems tested prior to the date of adoption of this Standard should satisfy only the criteria for blistering and rust in the table above.

  3.3.3 Epoxy-based systems tested when applied according to table 1 of this Standard should satisfy the criteria for epoxy-based systems as indicated in the table above.

  3.3.4 Alternative systems not necessarily epoxy-based and/or not necessarily applied according to table 1 of this Standard should satisfy the criteria for alternative systems as indicated in the table above.

 The test report should include the following information:

• .1 name of the manufacturer;

• .2 date of tests;

• .3 product name/identification of both paint and primer;

• .4 batch number;

• .5 data of surface preparation on steel panels, including the following:

  • .1 surface treatment;

  • .2 water soluble salts limit;

  • .3 dust; and

  • .4 abrasive inclusions;

• .6 application data of coating system, including the following:

  • .1 shop primed;

  • .2 number of coats;

  • .3 recoat interval^footnote;

  • .4 dry film thickness (DFT) prior to testing^footnote;

  • .5 thinner^footnote;

  • .6 humidity^footnote;

  • .7 air temperature^footnote; and

  • .8 steel temperature;

• .7 test results according to section 2; and

• .8 judgment according to section 3.