Overview

JCS Technology has for many years provided a paint testing service primarily for government agencies, military and commercial clients. This work has mainly consisted of testing individual batches of paint proposed for use on specific projects. The objective of this service is to provide accurate test results, rapidly and in a cost effective manner. The testing consists of performing a range of both formulation and performance tests as required by the applicable specification. This has been both in the laboratory, on site at our clients facility or at one of our dedicated test sites.

One of these  dedicated test sites is based 30 metres below the surface of the Atlantic were paint panels are exposed to sea water under pressure but also other factors which are not simulated in the laboratory.

 
 

Preconditioning

Preconditioning covers the treatment of paint and other coatings prior to testing.  

 

Precure:- Thermal treatment to consolidate the coating

Thermal ageing- This covers the artificial ageing of a coating prior to testing. This can take from hours to months depending on the standard.

Conditioning: this stabilises the coating at the test temperature

 

Mechanical Testing

JCS Technology  can accommodate a wide range of mechanical testing for paint and other surface coatings. 

Tests such as but not limited to:-

Bend tests                    Scratch tests               Impact

Cupping test                 Cross cut                    Pull-off adhesion

Indentation                   Wear test                   

Chemical analysis

 

At JCST we are able to combining a comprehensive range of both classical wet chemistry and instrumental techniques to give the most cost effective solutions to most chemical problems.
Classical wet chemistry
The wet chemistry basically falls into two distinct areas
Using classic methods to identify chemical species
Using standard methods to isolate the chemical species under investigation and then identify the species and if necessary quantify the amount present.  Identification can be achieved by a colour change or possibly pH. The amount present can be identified by the intensity of colour although this would normally be done instrumentally or by precipitation.
Using classical methods to prepare samples for analysis by instrumental methods
Samples of metals for analysis are often dissolved in acids to enable the resulting solution to be analysed using such techniques as Atomic Absorption/emission. In this way classical methods enable the samples to be analysed in the most effective way.
Instrumental Techniques
At JCST we have a wide range of instrumental methods available to analyse your samples. Methods such as:-
• Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy 
• Gas Chromatography 
• High performance liquid Chromatography 
• Infrared Spectrophotometry 
• Ultraviolet and Visible Absorption Spectrophotemetry

 

Physical testing

Resin/carrier  Analysis:-Standard suit of tests 
Resin /carrier content: Usually using solvent wash or reflux
Filler  Content: remaining when resin removed
Flow: The ability of the resin system to move just before it Gels 
Volatiles: Determination of the lower boiling point solvents
Resin Gel time: The time the resin takes to reach a gel point
 
Density:-Using a variety of techniques
Colour/pigments : Using a range of spectrometers
flow rates : for a range of materials
Wear testing: a variety of loads and substrates
 

 

Environmental Testing

 Salt Spray Testing 

In a salt spray test the samples are placed in a salt spray cabinet  and tested in accordance with relevant specification for example ASTM B117 .

At the end of the test the samples are carefully removed from the cabinet. They are allowed to dry for one hour before rinsing, in order to reduce the risk of removing corrosion products. Before examination any residues of the spray solution are carefully removed from the sample surface. The assessment of corrosion is performed visually and the condition of the samples can be recorded by digital colour photography.

Formulations

 WATER BASED

Water-based paints ( latex paints) have been tested as alternatives to solvent-based paints. The volatile organic compound (VOC) content of water-based paints is significantly lower than conventional solvent-based paints, thereby reducing VOC emissions. Latex paints may include such resins as epoxies, vinyls, and acrylics, among others. In addition to the resins, latex paint is made up of some solvents, pigments, and additives.

 
Water-based paints contain small amounts of coalescing solvents that allow the resin particles to fuse together (coalesce) as the water evaporates, forming a continuous surface coating. Latex paints must be protected from freezing and applied at a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Centigrade . Latex paints are easily applied and the clean-up is performed with soap and water. Latex paints are less detrimental to the environment than oil-based paints because they contain fewer hazardous material and  reducing hazardous waste (HW) generation (depending on the type of paint used).