This listing is provided to clarify the meaning of various terms used by the coatings industry and, in particular, their implied meaning .

Specification Data (as found in the Products listings)

(alphabetical listing)

Application

This gives a basic indication of the acceptable methods of application, i.e. brush, roller, conventional spray etc.; it is not necessarily an exclusive listing.

Coating Type

This describes in simple generic terms the broad chemistry category into which the coating in question falls. It usually describes the binder type (epoxy, alkyd etc) and sometimes gives an indication of a unique pigmentation (i.e. chromate free or ceramic etc).

Colour

An otherwise obvious classification, in the case of two (or more) component products this describes the colour of the mixed material after normal induction, application and cure.

Density

Expressed in kilograms per litre this property applies to the unthinned original material and, in the case of multi-component material, to the mixture at the correct mix ratio.

Dry Time

It is important to understand that Dry Times indicated are based on reference to a standard test procedure; normally ASTM-D1640. This standard refers to various stages in the curing or drying process under standard test conditions; some or all of which may be listed. The stages (not necessarily in actual order) are Dry-to-Touch, Dry-to-Recoat, Dry-to-Handle and Dry Hard. Unless stated otherwise Dry Times are measured at 25^o Celsius

Gloss

Generally classified as gloss, semi-gloss, satin, low-sheen and flat this listing gives a non-qualified expectation of the finished appearance of a product when properly applied. Specifiers and users are advised that this stated property is a guide only and does not imply a warranty of measured gloss or specific range of gloss.

Mix Ratio

This property only relates to multi-component materials. Usually expressed in the form 4 to 1 or 9 to 1 etc. the ratio relates to the volume mix ratio of Base to Convertor.

Pot Life

This property only relates to multi-component materials. The times stated are based on a standard test to evaluate the usable mixed life of a relatively small mixed quantity of unthinned material at the stated temperature (usually 25 degrees Celsius). Higher temperatures will reduce pot life whereas lower temperatures and thinning will increase pot life. The pot life duration includes the induction time.

Recommended Dry Film Thickness

The figure(s) given in this section refer to normal dry film thickness recommended per coat for the product in question; it is not an absolute reference to a specified film thickness. Often a product will have a range of common usage thicknesses in which case that normal range will be indicated. The relevant wet film thickness is also listed; this refers to the unthinned material.

Shelf Life

This refers to the period over which a user can reasonably expect paint materials to be stored and remain in a stable and usable condition. Moderate settling and other storage changes may occur in this period however, if stored as directed, the paint materials may be expected to be easily mixed and homogenised. Some materials (or individual components) have a stated limited shelf-life; users are advised to rotate stocks and monitor batch numbers.

Spreading Rate

This represents the theoretical area that one litre of (mixed, unthinned) paint will cover at the recommended dry film thickness. Expressed in square metres per litre or m²/ltr this figure is important to the applicator or estimator and is inter-related with other properties such as volume solids.

Volume Solids

This property relates to the original material or multi-component mixture and gives valuable information to the user. Essentially the quoted figure (60% etc) indicates the volume of solid material (this makes up the cured paint film) as a percentage of the original (mixed) unthinned paint. From this figure the applicator can calculate, in the case of 60% volume solids that the paint will cover a theoretical 6 square metres per litre at 100 microns or will require 100 microns wet film thickness to achieve 60 microns dry film thickness.