Freeze-thaw Resistance Determination

ASTM D 2243

 freeze-thaw testing

Scope and Field of Application

When water-borne coatings are shipped during cold weather, they may experience cycles of freezing and thawing. Freezing and thawing cycles cause more damage than when coatings are subjected to steady freezing.

This method is intended to evaluate the effect of freeze-thaw cycling on the viscosity and visual film properties of water-borne coatings. If you are only interested in the effect of freeze-thaw cycling on dry coatings then you may wish refer to our Resistance to Temperature Change page.

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 a copy. If required however, you can easily obtain a copy from the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Summary of Method

Two identical portions of each coating are prepared. One, identified as the control, is stored at room temperature while the other, identified as the test specimen, is subjected to a cycle consisting of 17 hours at minus 18° Centigrade followed by 7 hours at room temperature. The number of repeat cycles is a matter of agreement between the parties concerned but up to 5 cycles is usual.

The test specimen and the control are then examined for any evidence of settlement, gelation or coagulation. The viscosity of each is then measured using ASTM D 562 and this is followed by the application of both to test panels. The dry films are examined visually in order to rate hiding, gloss, agglomeration, coagulation, particle formation and colour.

Sample Requirements

We require no more than 2.5 litres of sample.

Accreditation

Although PRA is accredited to ISO 17025 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), we are not accredited to carry out this particular test.

Please contact Peter Collins for further details.

 

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