ASTM_D_4062_-_11.pdf

Designation:D406211Standard Test Method forLeveling of Paints by Draw-Down Method1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4062;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method2covers the laboratory determination ofthe relative leveling of water and solvent-reducible architec-tural paints in white and light tints by comparing the ridgesproduced in a draw-down film to a series of plastic levelingstandards.1.2 Unpigmented,texture,and deep-tint coatings cannot bereadily evaluated with the shadowing produced by obliquelighting employed in this test method.Such coatings may berated by comparing them with the plastic standards at variousangles of reflection.For this purpose ordinary room lighting issatisfactory.1.3 Since other factors may influence the tendency of liquidpaints to sag,this test method is not intended to measuresagging.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Terminology2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:2.1.1 leveling,nof a paint,a measure of its ability to flowout after application so as to obliterate any surface irregulari-ties such as brush marks,orange peel,peaks,or craters thathave been produced by the mechanical process of application.3.Summary of Test Method3.1 The material to be tested is presheared and then appliedto a sealed chart by means of a special leveling test bladedesigned to lay down a film with parallel ridges simulatingbrush marks.After allowing the completed draw-down to dryin a horizontal position,leveling of the test paint is rated byviewing the draw-down under a strong,oblique light sourceand comparing the contrast of lightness and shadow caused bythe paint ridges to that of a series of plastic leveling standardsunder the same lighting conditions.4.Significance and Use4.1Leveling can affect the hiding and appearance ofapplied architectural coatings,the presence of brushmarks andsurface irregularities being more conspicuous with gloss andsemi-gloss finishes than with flat finishes.Instrumental evalu-ations of leveling by this test method have been shown tocorrelate with those made by brush application.5.Apparatus5.1 Leveling Test Blade3,4A grooved draw-down bladedesigned to lay down a wet film with parallel ridges(see Fig.1).5.2 Draw-Down Plate,5with two parallel,smooth-facedstraightedges to guide the blade during film application andensure that the ridges are straight.5.3 Syringe and NeedleA 10-mL LuerLok syringe and38-mm(112-in.)No.15 gage needle for placing a fixed amountof the paint in front of the blade while simultaneouslypreshearing it(as during brushing)prior to drawing-down.Either glass or disposable plastic syringes may be used withwater-reducible paints.Glass syringes only may be used withsolvent-reducible paints due to swelling of disposable syringesby the solvent.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paintand Related Coatings,Materials,and Applications and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D01.42 on Architectural Coatings.Current edition approved April 15,2011.Published April 2011.Originallyapproved in 1981.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D4062 99(2003).DOI:10.1520/D4062-11.2This test method was essentially developed by the Leneta Company as outlinedin Leneta Catalog No.3,pp.267(1976).3The Leneta Company,15 Whitney Road,Mahwah,NJ 07430,is the solemanufacturer of the leveling test blade.This blade,the drawn-down plate,chart,light source,and levelness standards are all manufactured solely by the Leneta Co.,and can be obtained from Leneta and most scientific supply houses.4The Leneta Leveling Test Blade used in this test method is a modification of thethreaded draw-down bar described in an article by Dodge,J.S.“QuantitativeMeasures of Leveling,”Journal of Paint Technology,Vol 44,No.564,January1972.5A suitable draw-down plate may be constructed from the description given in5.2 of this test method.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.4 Test Chart,plain white(for white or light tints)orpredominantly black chart(for deep tints)coated with asuitable varnish or lacquer to render the test surface imperviousto the volatile portion of the paint.5.5 Light Source,6oblique,to illuminate the test draw-downand leveling standards(see Fig.2).5.6 Levelness Standards7Three-dimensional full-scalereplicas o