ASTM D4242-01

Designation: D 4242 – 01
Standard Test Method for
1
Inclined Plate Flow for Thermosetting Coating Powders
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4242; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope pigments, fillers, and additives and remaining finely divided
during storage under suitable conditions, which after fusing
1.1 This test method specifies a method for determining the
and possibly curing, give a continuous film.
flow characteristics of a fused thermosetting coating powder
3.1.2 powder coatings—coatings which are protective or
down a plane inclined at a set angle to the horizontal. The test
decorative, or both, formed by the application of a coating
gives an indication of the degree of melt flow that may occur
powder to a substrate and fused in a continuous film by the
during the curing of the coating powder. This characteristic
application of heat or radiant energy.
contributes to the coherence of the coating, to its surface
3.1.3 gel time of a coating powder—the interval required at
appearance and to the degree of coverage over sharp edges,
a given temperature for a coating powder to be transformed
however, it should not be used as the sole factor for judgment.
from a dry solid to a gel-like state.
The test acts as a useful method for checking for batch to batch
3.1.4 cure time of a coating powder—the time required for
variation in the behavior of a given coating powder. Correla-
a thermosetting coating powder to sufficiently chemically
tion between the results from coating powders of differing
crosslink at a given temperature to provide the required coating
composition is not to be expected. This method is unlikely to
properties.
yield meaningful results with coating powders which have gel
times of less than one minute at the test temperature (see Test
4. Summary of Test Method
Method D 4217.)
4.1 The thermosetting coating powder is pressed into a
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
pellet of standard size which is allowed to melt and flow down
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
a heated inclined plate. The extent of flow is measured.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and to determine the
5. Significance and Use
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 This test method is useful for selecting coating powders
of similar characteristics of melt flow under minimal shear. It
2. Referenced Documents
is not recommended as an absolute measurement, but rather as
2.1 ASTM Standards:
a comparative measurement of samples on the same panel
D 792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
2
measured at the same time.
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D 4217 Test Method for Gel Time of Thermosetting Coat-
6. Apparatus
3
ing Powder
6.1 Fan-assisted air circulation oven, capable of maintain-
4
2.2 Other Documents :
ing the desired temperature to 62°C (64°F).
ISO 8130–11:1997 Coating powders—Part 11: Inclined-
6.2 Glass plates, of suitable dimensions to undertake the
plane flow test
test. As an alternative, metal plates may be used. However,
these will need to be closely defined with respect to their
3. Terminology
composition and surface finish. The plates shall be sufficiently
3.1 Definitions:
rigid so as not to flex during the text. The details of the glass
3.1.1 coating powders—finely divided particles of resin,
or metal plates shall be included in the test report.
either thermoplastic or thermosetting, generally incorporating
6.3 Plate assembly, of suitable metal that fits inside the
oven. The assembly shall be capable of carrying one or more of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
the plates (6.2) in a horizontal position and at an angle of 65
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
61° to the horizontal when moved by a lever projecting
Subcommittee D01.51 on Powder Coatings.
through the side of the oven. Alternatively a fixed plate holder,
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2001. Published February 2002. Originally
{1
published as D 4242 – 83. Last previous edition D 4242 – 91(1995) .
of suitable metal, capable of holding one or more of the plates
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
at 65 61° to the horizontal may be used.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.02.
4 6.4 Balance, capable of measuring to 6 10 mg.
Available from International Organization for Standards (ISO), 1 Rue de
6.5 Steel pellet-molding press, together with a knockout rod,
Varembé, Case Postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.
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