Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

July, 2010

Paint Coverage

Q. I'm a professional in the coil coating industry. We are using a different formula for paint BOM calculation. One of them is:

Coverage(mtr2 / ltr)=(Volume Solid)/(coating thickness in micron:10)

Sir, I want clarification of this formula and from where the constant factor 10 comes.

Please give me a clarified suggestion. I will be very thankful to you.

A. The calculation is provided for the coverage of 1 liter of coil coating when it is deposited at a dry film thickness (DFT) of 10 microns. If you deposit the coating at a different DFT you should change the value in your calculation.

1 liter = 0.001 (m3)

10 microns = 0.000010 (m)

Volume (m3) = Length (m) x Width (m) x Height (m)

Volume (m3) = Area (m2) x Height (m)

Area (m2) = Volume (m3)
Height (m)

For 1 Liter of 100% solid coating

= 0.001 (m3)
0.000010 (m)

= 100 (m2)

Since your liquid coil coating is not 100% solids, you need to multiply by the fraction volume solids. Suppose your coating is only 30% volume solids, your coverage will be:

= 100 (m2) x 0.3

= 30 (m2) when applied at a DFT of 10 microns.

Regards,

Ron Joseph