This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D823 − 18 (Reapproved 2022)

Standard Practices for

Producing Films of Uniform Thickness of Paint, Coatings
and Related Products on Test Panels1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D823; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope Related Coating Products

1.1 Five practices are given for preparing films of uniform D1005 Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thick-
thickness of coatings on test panels. These practices are: ness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers
Practice A—Automated Spray Machine Application D1212 Test Methods for Measurement of Wet Film Thick-
Practice B—Motor-Driven Dip Coater Application ness of Organic Coatings
Practice C—Motor-Driven Blade Film Application D3924 Specification for Standard Environment for Condi-
Practice D—Hand-Held Spray Gun Application tioning and Testing Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related
Practice E—Hand-Held Blade Film Application Materials
D4147 Practice for Applying Coil Coatings Using Wire-
1.2 The use of wire-wound drawdown bars as described in Wound Drawdown Bars
Practice D4147 may also be an appropriate method for D4285 Test Method for Indicating Oil or Water in Com-
producing films of uniform coating thickness.
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1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
pressed Air
D4414 Practice for Measurement of Wet Film Thickness by

only. (https://standards.iteh.ai)
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information Notch Gages
D7091 Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry
Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to
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1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Ferrous Metals and Nonmagnetic, Nonconductive Coat-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ings Applied to Non-Ferrous Metals
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- PRACTICE A—AUTOMATED SPRAY MACHINE
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations ASTM
prior to D823-18(2022)
use. APPLICATION
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1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3. Summary of Practices
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 3.1 A liquid material is applied to a test panel by means of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical an automated spray machine consisting of a mounted spray gun
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. and a panel holder. This machine can (1) move the panel
holder, with test panel, at a uniform speed through the
2. Referenced Documents atomized spray produced by a fixed spray gun, or (2) it can
2 move the gun, with atomized spray, at a uniform speed past the
2.1 ASTM Standards: test panel(s) mounted on a fixed panel holder. A machine
D609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels equipped with a programmable system can index the spray gun
for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and vertically for multiple passes and for multiple coats with
selective time delay.
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint 3.2 The thickness of coating applied is controlled by the
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct responsibility traverse speed of the panel or gun, the fluid delivery rate of the
of Subcommittee D01.23 on Physical Properties of Applied Paint Films. gun, the spray gun tip size, the viscosity of the material, and the
Current edition approved June 1, 2022. Published June 2022. Originally
approved in 1945. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D823 – 18. DOI:
amount of nonvolatile matter in the material.
10.1520/D0823-18R22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 4. Significance and Use
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 4.1 This practice should be used for those coatings that are
the ASTM website. designed for spray applications of objects in the factory or in

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1
 D823 − 18 (2022)
the field. It is particularly important that it be used in the spray gun. Reduce the material to a viscosity suitable for
evaluation of metallic coatings for appearance properties, such spraying using the coating manufacturer’s recommended thin-
as gloss and color. ner.
4.2 Coatings applied by this test method may exhibit a slight 7.3 Connect the container to the gun and test the spray gun
orange-peel or spray wave. operation while stationary, for correct spray pattern and uni-
formity by allowing a momentary spray to be deposited on a
5. Apparatus piece of paper placed in the panel position. Adjust the air
5.1 Test Panels, of any clean, planar rigid substrate with a pressure, material flow, and spray fan width controls until the
uniform surface of a size that can be accommodated by the desired pattern and uniformity are obtained. Further refine-
panel holder of the automated spray machine. ments may be made in the spray pattern by modifying the air
5.1.1 When steel panels are used, they should be prepared in pressure, and the type and amount of thinner.
accordance with the appropriate method in Practice D609. NOTE 4—The width of the spray pattern should be considerably wider
5.2 Automated Spray Machine, equipped with a panel than the width of the test panel to assure spray uniformity on the test
holder and a mounting for a spray gun. The machine shall be panel.
designed to move the panel holder at a uniform speed past the 7.4 Place a test panel on the panel holder and start the
fixed gun mount or designed to move the gun mount at a machine. Operate the spray gun so that it will begin spraying a
uniform speed past the fixed panel holder. The panel holder or few inches before the test panel enters the spray pattern and
the gun mount traverse speed shall be adjustable from continue spraying a few inches after the test panel leaves the
7.5 to 30 m (25 to 100 ft)/min. Examples of automated spray spray pattern.
machines are shown in Fig. 1. 7.5 Measure the wet film thickness in accordance with Test
NOTE 1—Some automated spray machines provide additional features Methods D1212 or Practice D4414. Additional passes may be
that can improve the uniformity of film preparation. Some examples are: made until the desired wet film thickness has been achieved.
a z-bar panel holder; indexing of the panel holder at right angles to the gun
to provide uniform lapping; and automatic control of number of passes, 7.6 Remove the coated panel and bake, force-dry, or air-dry

iTeh Standards
time between passes, and lapping distance. it, in accordance with its type, in a vertical position in a
5.3 Spray Gun, any that will provide a uniform fan-type dust-free atmosphere (if required), as described in Specifica-
tion D3924.
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spray pattern at least 150 mm (6 in.) in width is satisfactory.
The gun may be triggered manually or automatically. 7.7 Measure the dry film thickness of the coating in accor-
5.4 Air Pressure Gage, covering the range of 0 to 690 kPa dance with Test Methods D1005 or Practice D7091, whichever
(0 to 100 psi). Document Preview is appropriate.
5.5 Air Pressure Regulator. 8. Report
5.6 Air Supply, water and oil-free, under pressure.
ASTM D823-18(2022)
8.1 Report the following information:
8.1.1 Type of coating material,
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6. Preparation of Apparatus
8.1.2 Type and amount of thinner added as a percentage by
6.1 Mount the spray gun on the automated spray machine. weight or volume of the total mixed coating, if applicable,
Connect the air line hose from the regulator to the air pressure 8.1.3 Temperature of coating material,
gage which in turn is connected to the air inlet of the spray gun. 8.1.4 Wet film thickness,
6.2 Set the gun so that its tip is at the desired distance from 8.1.5 Distance of test panel from gun tip,
the test panel surface, usually in the range from 200 to 300 mm 8.1.6 Type of spray gun and spray tip size,
(8 to 12 in.). 8.1.7 Air pressure,
6.3 With the gun trigger fully open, adjust the air regulator 8.1.8 Number of spray passes,
to provide the desired reading on the air pressure gage. 8.1.9 Traverse speed,
8.1.10 Air temperature, relative humidity and temperature
NOTE 2—A suitable air pressure is usually from 275 to 520 kPa (40 to of test panel at time of application, and
75 psi).
8.1.11 Mean and range of dry film thickness values ob-
6.4 Set the automated spray machine controls to provide the tained.
desired traverse speed of the panel holder or the gun mount,
whichever is pertinent to the type of machine being used. PRACTICE B—MOTOR-DRIVEN DIP COATER
APPLICATION
NOTE 3—Suitable traverse speeds for automotive coatings usually range
from 17.5 to 22.5 m/min (700 to 900 in./min).
9. Summary of Practice
7. Procedure 9.1 A motor-driven device is employed to withdraw the test
7.1 If compressed air is used to atomize the coating, verify panel from a container of the coating material at a desired
that the air is clean and dry according to Test Method D4285. uniform rate.
7.2 If recommended by the coating manufacturer, strain the 9.2 The wet film thickness of the applied coating is influ-
material to be sprayed into the container to be used with the enced by many variables including, but not limited to the speed

2
 D823 − 18 (2022)

(a) Fixed Gun, Traveling Panel Machine (b) Fixed Panel, Traveling Gun Machine

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ASTM D823-18(2022)
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(c) Fixed Panel Programmable Indexing Traveling Gun Machine

FIG. 1 Automatic Spray Machines, Practice A

3
 D823 − 18 (2022)
of withdrawal, rheological characteristics of the coating at the because the smaller exposed surfaces of the liquid coating reduces volatile
test temperature and the temperature of the test panel. loss.
11.2 Test Panels, of any clean, rigid substrate with a
10. Significance and Use uniform surface of a size that can be accommodated by the dip
10.1 This test method is limited to those materials that flow coater and the container.
out to smooth films when test panels are dipped into the 11.2.1 When steel panels are used they shall be prepared in
material and withdrawn. accordance with the appropriate method in Practice D609.
11. Apparatus NOTE 6—The test panels should not exceed 300 mm (12 in.) in length,
but the width may be varied up to 300 mm (12 in.) if a suitable
11.1 Dip Coater, consisting of a mechanism that will with- counterweight is used and a dip tank of adequate size is provided. Use of
draw a panel from a container of the coating material at a a multiple hook will permit dipping several panels at one time.
predetermined rate. Suitable apparatus, is shown in Fig. 2(a)
and 2(b): 12. Procedure
11.1.1 The apparatus shown in Fig. 2(a) uses a cord wound 12.1 Adjust the coating material to the desired viscosity
around a step-cone pulley on the shaft of a motor to provide using thinner as necessary. Measure the temperature of the
panel withdrawal rate of 50, 75, and 100-mm (2, 3, and material in the container at the time of application.
4-in.)/min. Prior to withdrawal, the panel, attached to the cord,
is lowered by hand into the container holding the material. NOTE 7—The operating conditions (viscosity, percent of nonvolatile
matter, and rate of withdrawal) are specific for a given coating material
11.1.2 The apparatus shown in Fig. 2(b) uses a cord driven
and film thickness and need to be determined by trial. Subsequent
by a variable-speed device that can provide panel immersion reproduction of the same operating conditions should yield a similar film
and withdrawal rates that are continuously variable from 65 to thickness.
510 mm (2.5 to 20 in.)/min.
12.2 Place the prepared test panel on the hook attached to
NOTE 5—Rectangular containers (F-style can with lid cut off) are useful the cord and lower it into the container holding the coating

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ASTM D823-18(2022)
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(a) Dip-Coater With Motor-Driven Step-Cone Pulley (b) Dip-Coater With Continuously Variable Speed Drive

FIG. 2 Dip-Coater, Practice B

4
 D823 − 18 (2022)
material. Wind the cord once completely around the pulley of 13.1.5 Air temperature, relative humidity and temperature
the correct size to give the desired rate of withdrawal. of test panel surface at time of application, and
12.2.1 For the stepped-cone pulley apparatus, wind the cord 13.1.6 Mean and range of dry film thickness values ob-
once completely around the pulley of the correct size to give tained.
the desired weight of withdrawal.
12.2.2 For the continuously variable speed apparatus set the PRACTICE C—MOTOR-DRIVEN BLADE FILM
desired panel immersion and withdrawal rates on the control APPLICATION
panel.
14. Summary of Practice
12.3 Start the motor and withdraw the panel at the desired
rate, with a smooth movement entirely free of vibration. 14.1 A uniform film is produced by an applicator blade that
is pushed or pulled across the test panel at a uniform speed by
12.4 Measure the wet film thickness in accordance with Test a motor-driven device.
Methods D1212 or Practice D4414.
14.2 The wet film thickness of the coating applied may be
12.5 Bake, force-dry, or air-dry the coated panel, in accor-
affected by the speed at which the applicator blade is moved,
dance with its type, in a vertical position in a dust-free
the clearance of the applicator blade, the design of the
atmosphere in accordance with Specification D3924. Measure
applicator blade, and the viscosity of the coating.
the dry film thickness of the coating in accordance with Test
Method D1005 or Practice D7091.
15. Significance and Use
12.6 If the coating thickness is too low, coat another panel
15.1 This test method is applicable to substrates consisting
using a slower rate of panel withdrawal. If the coating
of uniform rigid materials, such as metal or glass, and of
thickness is too high, coat another panel using a faster rate of
non-rigid materials, such as paper charts. The motor-driven
panel withdrawal.
film applicator may offer advantages over the use of hand-held
12.7 Continue in this manner until a test panel having the film applicator blade, due to the constant speed of application.
desired film thickness is produced. Measure thickness on at

uniformity. iTeh Standards

least three different areas of the test panel to determine coating
16. Apparatus
16.1 Motor-Driven Blade Film Applicator, consisting of a
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NOTE 8—With the dip coater, non-uniform thickness on a panel is
base plate, a bar for holding an applicator blade, and a driving
frequently obtained. Hence, if the film thickness is greater at the bottom
mechanism. The base plate shall hold non-rigid substrates flat.
than the top, the viscosity should be increased or the panel withdrawal

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speed should be reduced, or both. A vacuum system is preferred except for very thin charts that
can “pucker” if too much vacuum is applied. The blade holder
13. Report shall be designed to accommodate common types of applicator
13.1 Report the following information: blades and designed to accept weights for loading the applica-
13.1.1 Type of coating material, ASTM D823-18(2022)
tor blade, if necessary, to prevent lifting of the blade when
applying viscous materials. A mechanism shall be provided to
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13.1.2 Type and amount of thinner added as a percentage by
weight or volume of the total mixed coating, if applicable, stop the blade movement automatically at the end of the
13.1.3 Temperature of coating material, drawdown. A typical device is shown in Fig. 3.
13.1.4 Rate of withdrawal, 16.2 Vacuum Source, a vacuum pump or a water aspirator.

FIG. 3 Blade Film Applicator, Motor-Driven, Practice C