ASTM D2205-20

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
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Designation: D2205 − 15 D2205 − 20
Standard Guide for
Selection of Tests for Traffic Paints
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2205; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers the selection and use of procedures for testing traffic paints in the laboratory and in the field.
1.2 This guide covers the testing of ready-mixed solvent base and waterborne paint products of sprayable consistency that shall
be suitable for use as a reflecting traffic guide on paved roadways.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inorganic Cements
D8 Terminology Relating to Materials for Roads and Pavements
D16 Terminology for Paint, Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
D154 Guide for Testing of Varnishes (Withdrawn 2018)
D185 Test Methods for Coarse Particles in Pigments
D522/D522M Test Methods for Mandrel Bend Test of Attached Organic Coatings
D562 Test Method for Consistency of Paints Measuring Krebs Unit (KU) Viscosity Using a Stormer-Type Viscometer
D711 Test Method for No-Pick-Up Time of Traffic Paint
D713 Practice for Conducting Road Service Tests on Fluid Traffic Marking Materials
D868 Practice for Determination of Degree of Bleeding of Traffic Paint
D869 Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Settling of Paint
D870 Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Water Immersion
D913 Practice for Evaluating Degree of PavementTraffic Marking Line Wear
D1210 Test Method for Fineness of Dispersion of Pigment-Vehicle Systems by Hegman-Type Gage
D1309 Test Method for Settling Properties of Traffic Paints During Storage (Withdrawn 2020)
D1475 Test Method for Density of Liquid Coatings, Inks, and Related Products
D1729 Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
D2244 Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
D2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
D2371 Test Method for Pigment Content of Solvent-Reducible Paints
D2372 Practice for Separation of Vehicle From Solvent-Reducible Paints
D2698 Test Method for Determination of the Pigment Content of Solvent-Reducible Paints by High-Speed Centrifuging
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D01.44 on Traffic Coatings.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015June 1, 2020. Published December 2015July 2020. Originally approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 20102015 as
D2205 – 85 (2010).D2205 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/D2205-15.10.1520/D2205-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2205 − 20
D2805 Test Method for Hiding Power of Paints by Reflectometry
D3723 Test Method for Pigment Content of Water-Emulsion Paints by Low-Temperature Ashing
D4060 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Organic Coatings by the Taber Abraser
D6628 Specification for Color of Pavement Marking Materials
D7377 Practice for Evaluating the Water Wash-Off Resistance of Traffic Paints using a Water Faucet
D7538 Practice for Evaluating the Water Wash-Off Resistance of Traffic Paints Using an Atomizing Spray Device
D8008 Practice for Representative Field Sampling of Traffic Paints
E179 Guide for Selection of Geometric Conditions for Measurement of Reflection and Transmission Properties of Materials
E308 Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by Using the CIE System
E1164 Practice for Obtaining Spectrometric Data for Object-Color Evaluation
E1347 Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Measurement by Tristimulus Colorimetry
E1349 Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by Spectrophotometry Using Bidirectional (45°:0° or 0°:45°) Geometry
E1710 Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Pavement Marking Materials with CEN-Prescribed Geometry Using a
Portable Retroreflectometer
E2367 Test Method for Measurement of Nighttime Chromaticity of Pavement Marking Materials Using a Portable Retrore-
flection Colorimeter
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions used in this guide, refer to Terminology C219, D8, and D16.
3.2 retroreflective optics, n—a particle manufactured for use with pavement marking materials to provide retroreflective
properties to the marking, allowing them to be visible when viewed at night under automobile headlights.
3.2.1 composite optics, n—a multi-component retroreflective particle comprised of a pigmented core (typically white or yellow)
combined with very small glass or ceramic beads having a refractive index of between 1.90 and 2.4.)2.4.
3.2.2 glass beads, n—round spheres manufactured from glass of a specific refractive index and size distribution.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 This guide consists of the following tests that, although not exhaustive, cover the areas normally of concern in traffic paint
testing:
Sections
Liquid Paint Properties 6 through 11
Application and Appearance Properties 12 through 17
Properties of the Dried Film 18 through 20
Analysis of Paint 21 through 24
Field Evaluations 25 through 29
Field Sampling 30
5. Conditions Affecting Traffic Paint
5.1 Practical requirements for traffic paint may vary with:
5.1.1 Substrate type, such as portland cement and asphaltic concretes, and the various coarse aggregates used therein.
5.1.2 Climatic conditions, both generally and specifically, at the time of paint application.
5.1.3 Service density, such as heavy traffic areas in cities versus lightly traveled rural highways and parking lots.
5.1.4 Traffic type, whether light passenger cars or heavy trucks and airplanes.
5.1.5 Presence of foreign matter on the road surface, such as oil, old paint, skid marks, sand, salt, concrete curing compound,
etc.
5.2 New portland cement concrete surfaces have a greater degree of moisture and alkalinity than older surfaces and thereby
adversely affect paint adhesion. Paint adhesion is also affected by the ratio of cement to fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, and
mixing water, as well as by the surface character of the aggregate that can range from impervious smooth quartz to irregular, porous
slag.
LIQUID PAINT PROPERTIES
6. Skinning
6.1 Paints containing a binder that dries by oxidation are subject to skin formation in a partially filled can or by diffusion of
air into a filled can. Since skins are insoluble in the paint they must be removed before use. The referenced test employs a partially
filled container to indicate the tendency of a paint to skin. A typical minimum time for skinning is 18 to 24 h.
6.2 Examine the original sample for skins both on the surface and in the mass. Using a well-mixed, skin-free portion of the
sample, perform a skinning test in accordance with Guide D154, except use a 0.5-L (1-pt) friction-top can instead of a 0.25-L (8-oz)
jar.
D2205 − 20
7. Coarse Particles
7.1 Paints must be free of oversize particles and foreign matter to avoid clogging application equipment, a typical maximum
being 1 % by weight of total paint. The referenced test with a 325-mesh (45-μm) screen gives the percent of this material in the
paint.
7.2 Determine coarse particles in accordance with Test Methods D185.
NOTE 1—This test is not used for traffic paint containing pre-mixed retroreflective optics.
8. Fineness of Dispersion
8.1 A key aspect of the pigment dispersion process in paint is fineness of grind, which can be measured by drawing the paint
sample down a calibrated, tapered groove in a hardened steel block with the groove varying in depth from 4 to 0 mils (100 to 0
μm). The point at which continuous groupings of particles or agglomerates, or both, protrude through the surface of the liquid is
taken as the fineness reading. Lower readings in mils or micrometres or higher reading in Hegman units indicate better fineness
of dispersion.
8.2 Fineness of grind is not generally specified for traffic paint but some application equipment may require a limit of 1 to 2
Hegman units (3 to 3.5 mils, 75 to 90 μm). If additional assurance is needed that the paint will not clog application equipment,
determine the fineness in accordance with Test Method D1210. When testing solvent based paint it may be necessary to reduce
the traffic paint with mineral spirits, or compatible solvent with a similar evaporation rate, to keep the film wet long enough to
determine the end point more easily. When a premix traffic paint is being tested, conduct the test on the paint before addition of
the beads.
9. Density or Weight per Gallon
9.1 Density as measured by weight per unit volume is not a performance characteristic but is used to check product uniformity
from batch to batch. A calibrated weight per gallon cup is used.
9.2 For an unbeaded paint, determine the density in accordance with Test Method D1475.
9.3 For beaded paints, use a special weight-per-gallon cup having a modified cap so that the beads do not interfere with a snug
fit of the cap to the cup. Proceed in accordance with Test Method D1475.
9.4 Traffic paints are viscous and known to entrap air giving erroneous low values. Air may be visible as bubbles or too finely
dispersed to be seen. The Appendix XI to Test Method D1475 provides a practice of diluting of a material to improve air release.
This method is widely used on waterborne paints where equal amounts of water and paint are mixed. The density split mixture
is measured and density of the paint calculated using Eq X1.1.
10. Consistency
10.1 Paints of a given type should fall within a stated consistency range as agreed upon between the purchaser and the seller.
Consistency is used mainly to ensure product uniformity. Improper consistency, however, can adversely affect application
properties, and in turn, paint performance.
10.2 Determine consistency using the Stormer viscometer in accordance with Test Method D562. If the requirement is in Krebs
units, Table 1 of Test Method D562 permits changing seconds to KU. Method B (Digital Display Stormer-Type Viscometer) is the
preferred method.
11. Package Stability
11.1 Since paints are not normally used immediately after manufacture, they must remain stable in the can for some time, which
for traffic paints does not generally exceed 6 months. Although package stability can usually be determined by alternatively heating
and cooling a specimen, occasionally the results do not coincide with storage at normal temperature. The referenced methods
determineThe referenced method determines the degree of pigment settling after 2 weeks cycling or after 6 months storage at room
temperature. These are usually sufficient as it is difficult to rate numerically the ease of redispersing an aged traffic paint.
11.2 Determine the degree of pigment settling in the accelerated test in accordance with Test Method D1309. Determine the
degree of pigment settling and ease of remixing a shelf-aged specimen in accordance with Test Method D869.
APPLICATION AND APPEARANCE PROPERTIES
12. Drying Time
12.1 The drying time of a traffic paint is particularly important because it determines how quickly a lane can be opened to free
flow of traffic without the paint being transferred to adjacent pavement.
The sole source of supply of the satisfactory modified cup known to the committee at this time is BYK Additives and Instruments, 9104 Guilford Rd., Columbia, MD
21046. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at
a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
D2205 − 20
12.2 No-pick-up time as determined by Test Method D711 is typically used as a quality control test for dry time. While this
method does not predict actual drying time during field application, it has been found the Test Method D711 testing accurately
predicts trends in most cases. Controlling both humidity and air flow is critical for accurate test results.
13. Bleeding
13.1 Bleeding refers to the passage of colored matter such as bitumen from an asphalt pavement through the traffic paint film.
It is a function of the age of the asphalt, its compatibility with the paint, and the speed of drying of the paint. Determine bleeding
in accordance with Practice D868.
14. Hiding Power
14.1 Hiding power or opacity is a measure of the ability of a paint to hide the substrate. It varies, naturally, with the thickness
of the applied film that may be influenced by the flow and application properties of the paint.
14.2 Determine the dry hiding power of traffic paints in accordance with Test Method D2805.
15. Color and Color Difference
15.1 The color of a paint may be determined precisely by means of a spectrophotometer. However, the exact color is not usually
as important as how closely a paint matches a standard. Color difference between a product and a standard can be determined
visually or with a suitable instrument. Visual comparison of color is fast and often acceptable although numerical values are not
obtained. Spectrophotometers provide numerical values that can be subsequently compared to later measurements.
15.2 If required, determine the color in terms of tristimulus values or chromaticity coordinates in accordance with Practice
E308.
15.3 Determine color difference by visual comparison against standard color chips in accordance with Practice D1729. This
practice covers the spectral photometric, and geometric characteristi
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