Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

December, 2002

Abrasion Testing of Coatings

Q. Could you tell me the appropriate ASTM for performing an abrasion test on aerosol can bottoms. Aerosol cans are typically coated with one or more organic materials (e.g. epoxy, acrylic, etc.) but are subject to abrasion during the filling process (conveyors etc). I am trying to find an appropriate test for measuring coating abrasion resistance, and also where I can obtain either the appropraite equipment, or testing services.

A. One of the most common tests for evaluating the abrasion resistance of a coating is the Taber Abraser test, ASTM D-4060, "Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Organic Coatings by the Taber Abraser."

The instrument(s) can be purchased by going to www.byk-gardner.com or www.gardco.com. If you intend to perform the test only a few times, you might want to send the coatings to a laboratory. On the other hand, if you intend to perform the test often, you might want to purchase one of these instruments and perform the test in-house.

For your interest, I have access to a laboratory in California that has the capabilities of doing this type of work.