Laboratories are sought for a round robin test to determine the precision and bias of the proposed ASTM Standard Test Method for Determining the Hiding Power of Paint by Visual Evaluation of Spray Applied Coatings. The test method is being developed by a task group of Subcommittee D01.26 on Optical Properties, chaired by Richard Diem, senior research associate, DuPont Performance Coatings, Mount Clemens, Mich.

“The new test method will provide for the quantitative visual determination of the film thickness required to achieve full hiding,” said Diem, who is coordinating the precision and bias study. “This film thickness is considered to be the hiding power of the paint.”

Samples and panels will be provided for the study. Three levels of hiding power at six laboratories will be performed; each sample for each level will be run twice.

“The test will determine the hiding power of a test paint by visual evaluation of a spray applied coating,” Diem explained. “While this test method is less precise than instrumental methods, e.g., ASTM D 2805, Standard Test Method for Hiding Power by Reflectometry, it is commonly used since it is more closely related to the application characteristics of the paint and is simpler in concept and evaluation.”

The subcommittee operates within ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications.

To participate, contact Richard S. Diem, Senior Research Associate, DuPont Performance Coatings, Mount Clemens, Mich. (phone: 810/468-9344). Committee D01 meets June 10-13 in Pittsburgh, Pa., in conjunction with ASTM Committee G03 on Weathering and Durability. For meeting or membership information, contact Staff Manager Tim Brooke, ASTM (phone: 610/ 832-9729). //

Copyright 2001, ASTM