ASTM D4400-99

Designation: D 4400 – 99
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
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Sag Resistance of Paints Using a Multinotch Applicator
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4400; 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.
INTRODUCTION
The multinotch applicator used in this test method is a drawdown blade with a series of notches of
successively higher clearance, referred to as the Anti-Sag Meter. See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 for a
representative diagram and photograph. The numerical value for sag resistance obtained with this
instrument is referred to as the Anti-Sag Index.
Anti-Sag Meters are made with several clearance ranges for different types of coatings (see 5.1 and
Table 1). In developing this standard the task group used an instrument with a range from 4 to 24 mils,
but the method is applicable to any clearance range, and results using instruments with overlapping
ranges correlate and have equal validity.
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The basic method was developed in 1962 and is referenced in U.S. Federal specifications
TT-E-508, TT-E-506, and TT-P-1511.
A preshear program is essential for a drawdown sag test to duplicate the breakdown in structure that
occurs when thixotropic paints are applied by brushout or other practical application methods. The
procedures therefore include the preshearing of paints just prior to making test applications.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers the laboratory determination of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
the sag resistance of aqueous and nonaqueous liquid coatings at D 2196 Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-
any level of sag resistance. –Newtonian Materials by Rotational (Brookfield) Viscom-
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1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded eter
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as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for 2.2 U.S. Federal Specifications:
information only. Fed. Spec. TT-E-508 Alkyd semi-gloss enamel
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the Fed. Spec. TT-E-506 Alkyd gloss enamel
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Fed. Spec. TT-P-1511 Interior latex gloss and semi-gloss
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- finishes
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1 After preshearing, the coating is applied to a test chart
with a multinotch applicator. The charts are immediately hung
vertically with the drawdown stripes horizontal, similar to
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-1 on Paint
rungs of a ladder, with the thinnest stripe at the top. After
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications, and is the direct responsibility of
drying in this position, the drawdown is examined and rated for
Subcommittee D01.42 on Architectural Finishes.
sagging. A typical sag pattern obtained by this procedure is
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1999. Published April 1999. Originally
published as D 4400 – 84. Last previous edition D 4400 – 89a (1993).
shown in Fig. 3.
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“Design of an Improved Sag Tester,” Offıcial Digest, Vol 34, No. 453, October
1962.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Evaluation of sag resistance is essential in quality
control for both producers and purchasers of coatings. Practical
application tests are poor in reproducibility, while viscometric
methods, for example Test Methods D 2196, are time-
consuming and lack the convincing aspect of actual sagging.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
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Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4, Section D,
700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.
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D 4400
FIG. 1 Diagram of the Medium Range Anti-Sag Meter
5.4 Catch-papers, thin sheets of sealed paper, for catching
surplus paint at the completion of a drawdown.
5.5 Equipment for the Preshearing of Aqueous Coatings:
5.5.1 Syringe, 10-mL, disposable plastic type.
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5.5.2 Syringe Needle,15gby1 ⁄2 in. (40 mm) to fit syringe.
5.5.3 Syringe Extension Tubing, clear vinyl, inside diameter
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|n! in. (3.2 mm), outside diameter ⁄6 in. (5 mm).
5.6 Equipment for the Preshearing of Nonaqueous Coat-
FIG. 2 Medium Range Anti-Sag Meter
ings:
5.6.1 Rotary Mechanical Stirrer, variable speed.
This method provides simple and rapid tests, whereby sag
5.6.2 Circular Mixing Paddle, diameter approximately
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resistance is demonstrated by a visible sag pattern, and is rated
1 ⁄8in. (48 mm).
objectively in terms of numerical values that correlate with
5.6.3 Mixing Container, cylindrical jar or can with capacity
brushout test observation
...