| Coating Performance TestingMany
methods of testing are performed on various coatings and paints to
assess their performance. Testing includes their resistance against
scratching, impact and water, salt spray testing, hardness, drying time
and so on. All these are carried out to see why the products have
failed and, if it is a new product, whether it performs up to the
requirements of many international standards.
For further information on a specific test, please select from the list below.
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| Specialist Service Offerings |  | | Abrasion Resistance | | Adhesion | | Alkali Resistance of Pool Paint | | Boiling Water Immersion | | Cass Test This
test is used for the rapid testing of decorative copper-nickel-chromium
or nickelchromium plating on steel and zinc die castings. It is also
useful in the testing of anodised, chromated, or phosphated aluminium. | | Cathodic Disbondment One
of the major tests for the prequalification of pipeline and field joint
coatings, to determine the effects of current to the coating system. | | Chemical Attack | | Chemical Resistance | | Chip Resistance The
quality and integrity of a paint system or coating may be tested by a
number of techniques, one of which is the chipping resistance test. The
test involves firing diamond shot at a prepared sample within a
controlled environment. The equipment enables the speed of impact and
the temperature of testing to be varied. Thus, simulating the effect of
stone chipping to vehicles and is required predominantly for the
automotive industry applications.
Following impact testing, the loose material is removed with
specially rated adhesive tape and a peel score is assessed as per the
given standard.
All coating types, including metallic and organic, can be tested. | | Coating Hardness The
quality and integrity of a paint system may be tested by a number of
techniques, one of which is hardness. The technique involves the use of
a set of standard pencils, of different hardness, which are flattened
at the point. The hardness of the paint coating is then determined by
the first pencil, which will not penetrate the paint when pushed across
it at a specific angle and pressure.
Tests can be conducted on any paint system. | | Coating Surface Profile A
specialised instrument is used for measuring surface profile across the
width of a section of strip. A section of the strip to be tested is
clamped in place and a sensor traverses across the surface. The profile
is plotted automatically as the scan progresses. | | Coating Thickness The
conventional technique for measuring coating thickness is by
metallographic examination. Samples are taken from a number of
positions of the product, and each is mounted to enable examination
perpendicular to the surface. Following polishing, the coating is
measured using a calibrated microscope, in conjunction with a stage
micrometer. Several measurements are taken and averaged to give a
representative value for the whole product. Many laboratories are
equipped with digital imaging equipment, which provide increased
efficiency and speed. | | Colour A
spectrophotometer is used to measure the colour of paint systems. The
instrument is pre-calibrated, following which the test sample is
compared against standard panels. Through a process of elimination, the
correct colour and shade can be accurately measured. | | Condensing Humidity | | Crosshatch Adherence | | Cyclic Corrosion The
purpose of cycle corrosion testing is to provide an accelerated lab
test which will simulate the results of actual outdoor activities by
the changing of environments inside the exposure zone which contains
the test samples. Testing can be done to various specific Automotive
Specifications. The cycles typically include salt spray, humidity and
drying periods. | | Drying Time | | Failure Analysis | | Falling Weight | | Flexibility | | Free Falling Sand Abrasion | | FT-IR ATR | | FT-IR DRIFT | | FT-IR MIC | | FT-IR | | Gloss (60deg.C) | | Hardness | | HS/GC | | IMO PSPC Testing Accredited
by most of the world class societies for the testing of Ballast Tank
coatings. Which simulates the effects of the environment within a
ballast tank whilst in motion | | Impact resistance | | Life Test with Microcalorimetry | | Limestone Drop | | Moisture Content | | Moisture Determination | | NORSOK testing for Protective Coatings | | Peel | | Penetration Resistance | | Prohesion | | QUV | | Salt Spray This
is the most commonly used salt spray for testing of inorganic and
organic coatings, especially where such tests are used for material or
product specifications. Government agencies and the automotive
industries have developed standard requirements for coating testing.
Salt Spray testing is a tool for evaluation the uniformity of thickness
and degree of porosity of metallic and non-metallic protective
coatings. A number of samples can be tested at once depending upon
their size. | | Scratch Resistance This
test method is used to determine the resistance of a single coating or
a multi-coat system of paint, varnish or related product to penetration
by scratching with a hemispherically tipped needle.
Penetration of the needle is to the substrate, except in the case
of a multi-coat system, where the penetration of the needle may be
either to the substrate or to a intermediate coat.
The method may be used as a pass-fail test, by testing with a
single specified load, or to determine the minimum load to penetration,
by progressively increasing the load. | | Scrubbing Resistance | | Spark Testing | | Sunshine Arc | | Temp/Humidity Cycling Water
and high humidity can cause the degradation of coatings, so the
knowledge of how a coating resists water is helpful in predicting its
service life. This procedure covers the basic principles for testing
water resistance of coatings in an apparatus similar to that used for
salt spray testing. Reagent water is used in a test chamber that is
kept at a typical temperature of 100 +/-2°F. | | Thermal Analysis (DSC) | | Volatile Content | | Water Absorption | | Water Resistance | |
| Locations which specialise in this service are listed below. | | | Exova Metlab Cork Exova
Metlab provides a public testing service from bases in Cork, Dublin
& Galway. The company has an accredited quality management system
to ISO 9001 (2000) and INAB laboratory accreditation for key services
to ISO EN 17025.
Our capability includes all principal Non Destructive Testing
methods (NDT), Construction materials Testing methods (CMT). Other
services include; Corrosion Surveys, Visual & Internal Boroscope
Inspection, Leak Surveys, Weld Procedure & Welder Qualification
Testing and Mechanical Testing of polymers. We also provide an expert
QA service to clients on compilation of project Test Packs and Punch
listing. Exova Metlab
Unit 6, Airways Technology Park
Cork Airport Business Park
Ballygarvan
Co. Cork
Ireland Enquiries Telephone: +353 (0)21 431 16 14
E-Mail: info@exova.com | | | Exova Metlab Dublin Exova
Metlab provides a public testing service from bases in Cork, Dublin
& Galway. The company has an accredited quality management system
to ISO 9001 (2000) and INAB laboratory accreditation for key services
to ISO EN 17025.
Our capability includes all principal Non Destructive Testing
methods (NDT), Construction materials Testing methods (CMT). Other
services include; Corrosion Surveys, Visual & Internal Boroscope
Inspection, Leak Surveys, Weld Procedure & Welder Qualification
Testing and Mechanical Testing of polymers. We also provide an expert
QA service to clients on compilation of project Test Packs and Punch
listing. Exova Metlab
Unit 20/21
Finglas Business Park
Tolka Valley Road
Dublin 11
Ireland Enquiries Telephone: +353 (0)1 864 67 64
E-Mail: info@exova.com | | | Exova Karlskoga The
Karlskoga laboratory offers a full range of mechanical testing
services. Failure analysis and advice on materials, selection of metals
as well as polymers.
Exova also has a number of special techniques aiming to ensure the shelf life of new munitions (please visit www.bomic.com for more information)
and in service surveillance of old ammunition. We now have clients from all over the World.
Amongst the laboratory specialist services are scanning electron microscopy, micro-calorimetry, chemical analysis, failure analysis, environmental durability tests etc.
Exova
Box 431
Gammelbackavägen 6
Karlskoga
69151
Sweden Enquiries Telephone: +46 586 824 02
E-Mail: info@exova.com | | | Exova Linköping (Materials Testing) Exova offers
qualified impartial services and long-term co-operation in Materials
and Process Technology from development and design to
maintenance/production and recycling. Having a history from the Swedish
defence and aircraft industry we have specialist competence within the
area of aerospace materials technology.
Based on that experience, we have expanded our services to a
wide range of industrial areas. Examples are: Nuclear, Wind Power,
Manufacturing, Automotive and Electronics. In all these areas, our
customers require the high competence within materials engineering CSM
represents.
Exova (Materials Testing)
Box 1340
Gelbgjuregatan
Linköping
58113
Sweden Enquiries Telephone: +46 13 16 90 18
E-Mail: info@exova.com | | | Exova Salford (Materials Testing) With
a specialism in the testing of heavy duty anti-corrosion coating
systems, the Salford Laboratory has an established track record in
providing excellent service.
Situated in Salford, the laboratory provides both routine
mechanical testing and related services to local petro-chemical,
nuclear, foundry, forging and civil engineering clients, amongst
others.
Exova (Materials Testing)
6 Coronet Way
Centenary Park
Salford
M50 1RE
United Kingdom Enquiries Telephone: +44 (0) 161 787 3291
E-Mail: info@exova.com |
| | | Exova Salford (Polymers) Exova is
a well established company whose employees and associate team of
consultants specialise in pipeline innovation polymer engineering,
polymer technology & chemistry, mechanical engineering, systems
analysis and computing. This has been the cornerstone of Exova's
successful development over the past few years.
Our expertise in the design and installation of new pipe networks
and in the renovation of existing mains has gained us a unique track
record in the plastics pipe business. We are recognised throughout the
UK and abroad for our unbiased appraisal of pipe performance and
quality by utility companies, pipe manufacturers, contractors and
customers alike.
In addition, our proven history in failure analysis and
interpretation is widely recognised, making us one of the few companies
able to offer such impartial and specialist advice in these matters.
We are also part of a European research consortium funded by the EC. Exova (Polymers)
6 Coronet Way
Centenary Park
Salford
M50 1RE
United Kingdom Enquiries Telephone: +44 (0) 161 787 3291
E-Mail: info@exova.com | | | Exova Worsleys Operating
from our purpose built premises in the heart of the UK motor industry,
the company is ideally located to respond to it’s customers’ test
requirements ….. quickly, efficiently and confidentially.
Services backed up by UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation, and car
manufactures' approvals, range from simple material analysis and single
component testing, to full assembly validation. Exova Worsleys are
acknowledged leaders in automotive testing procedures.
Although a high proportion of our testing is automotive-related we
are keen to offer our technical expertise to other manufacturing
industries, and have experience in a diverse range of products
including test validation of cash point dispenser components and
fighter aircraft anti-radar coatings Exova
Units 6-8, Buckingham Close
Bermuda Industrial Estate
Nuneaton
CV10 7JT
United Kingdom Enquiries Telephone: +44 (0) 161 787 3291
E-Mail: info@exova.com | | | Exova Shotton Exova's
laboratory at Shotton, North Wales, is situated on the Corus Shotton
site and provides vital testing services to Corus Colors and local
industry. Major markets served include manufacturing, ship building and
petrochemical industries across North Wales and Wirral.
The laboratory is expanding its’ environmental chemistry and
failure analysis services in addition to consolidating the routine
mechanical testing carried out and is committed to further expansion in
the future.
Specialist services offered include Positive Material Identification, Corrosion Testing and SEM\EDX analysis. Exova
Shotton Works
Deeside
Flintshire
CH5 2NH
United Kingdom Enquiries Telephone: +44 (0) 161 787 3291
E-Mail: info@exova.com | | |
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