International Standardization
At the end of May, the international meeting of experts on paint standardization took place in Shanghai. 110 experts from various countries, including Germany, Japan, China and USA, discussed innovations and updates to international standards.
Among others, ISO/TC 35/SC 9/WG 32 „Coating systems for wind-turbine rotor blades“ addressing the standardization of wind turbine coatings, was discussed. In the first part, among other things, the requirement for the maximum gloss of the blades was changed. In the future it is planned to add a further part to the standard. It will deal with the determination and evaluation of ice adhesion to rotors. For this purpose, test cycles will be carried out starting in summer 2019. Furthermore, part four of the standard has been given a more appropriate designation that reflects its exact content. It now states „Determination of the influence of rain erosion on ice formation on rotor coatings“. Dr. Florian Feil of Atlas MTT GmbH, Germany presented a first draft for the standardization of the UV protection properties of rotor blade coating systems. This draft was discussed and is expected to become internationally valid in October 2019.
Another topic of the international discussions were electrochemical methods for the evaluation of coatings and coating materials. Among other things, the focus was on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Relevant test series are already planned. The properties before and during application and drying were also discussed. Core topics here were the fineness of grind of paints (ISO/CD 1524), the determination of non-volatile matter and dry film density according to the Archimedes principle (ISO/DIS 3233-1), sampling according to ISO/CD 15528 and electrocoating according to ISO/DIS 22553 Part 1-12as well as gas chromatographic methods (ISO/DIS 23322) and rheology (ISO 3219).
Another item on the agenda was the evaluation of the properties after application of the coating. The cross-cut test, ISO 2409, and the determination of the gloss level, ISO 2813, were discussed there. The latter project was completed without revision. ISO/DIS 2810, on the other hand, has taken a further processing step for the natural weathering of coatings. After an update, the project is to be finalized. The experts also focused on ISO/CD 6504-3 for determining the opacity of masonry and concrete. The majority of the relevant questions were clarified, the last points are to be checked in further test series. A publication is planned for June 2019.
At the meeting in Shanghai, it was also decided to apply for a new European subcommittee. As DIN is currently reporting, this committee is to promote the standardization of analytical test methods for paints, coatings and raw materials. The new committee will develop and evaluate chemical analyses for testing the above-mentioned materials. The subcommittee’s topics include the determination of volatile and semi-volatile substances (VOC), the evaluation of preservatives and chromatographic methods.
Further information:
DIN – Standards Committee Coatings and Coatings Materials, Berlin, Bernd Reinmüller, Phone +49 302601-2447, bernd.reinmueller@din.de,
Stephan Wellendorf, Phone +49 30 2601-2372, stephan.wellendorf@din.de, www.din.de