Meaning and Purpose
4.1 This guide provides a useful summary of procedures for selecting and using test coating powders and powder coatings. It is applicable to thermoplastic and thermoset coatings unless otherwise stated. By design, this guide is not intended to address test methods or procedures developed specifically for the functional powder coatings market, namely those coating powders used in pipes or reinforcing rebar (rebar). Information on current test procedures for coating powders and powder coatings for pipes and reinforced rebar can be obtained through their respective ASTM subcommittees A01.05 and D01.48.

4.2 The choice of the methodology to follow and the interpretation of the results needs to depend on the experience and requirements of each case, as well as the agreement between the buyer and the seller. It should be noted that many of the methods used to characterize paint powders, such as gel time (Section 16) and tilt flow (Section 17), are primarily used for the relative comparison of two paint powders, rather than giving test values that can be interpreted as good or bad. The interpretation of the test results will depend on the specific application in question and often also on the chemical nature of the coating powder used.

ASTM D3451-06-2017 Testing Powder Coatings and Powder Coatings

Scope of
1.1 This guide covers the selection and use of procedures for testing paint powders and powder coatings. Table 1 lists the included test methods. If more than one test method is listed for the same feature, no attempt is made to show that one method is superior to the other. The choice of the method to follow needs to depend on the experience and requirements of each case, as well as the agreement between buyer and seller.

1.2 This guide also refers to methods developed specifically for the paint powder industry by the Powder Coating Association (PCI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO).

1.3 This guide describes the testing of paint powders by electrostatic spraying, fluidized bed, or any other applicable method.

ASTM D3451-06-2017 Testing Powder Coatings and Powder Coatings

1.4 Values expressed in SI units should be considered standard values. Other units of measurement are not included in this standard.

1.5 This standard is not intended to address all safety issues, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of users of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory restrictions prior to use.

1.6 This international Standard has been developed in accordance with the internationally recognized standardization principles established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guidelines and Recommendations issued by the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade of the World Trade Organization.