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.

Designation: D4585/D4585M − 18

Standard Practice for

Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Controlled
Condensation1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4585/D4585M; 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* 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This practice covers basic principles and operating 2.1 ASTM Standards:3
procedures for testing water resistance of coatings using D609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels
controlled condensation. Condensation is produced by expos- for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and
ing one surface of a coated specimen to a heated, saturated Related Coating Products
mixture of air and water vapor, while the reverse side of the D610 Practice for Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted
specimen is exposed to the cooling effect of room temperature Steel Surfaces
air. This practice is derived from research of the Cleveland D714 Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Blistering of
Society for Coatings Technology.2 Paints
1.2 This practice is limited to the methods of obtaining, D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness
measuring, and controlling conditions and procedures of con- of Paint, Coatings and Related Products on Test Panels
trolled condensation tests. It does not specify specimen D870 Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings
preparation, specific test conditions, or evaluation of results. Using Water Immersion
D1654 Test Method for Evaluation of Painted or Coated
NOTE 1—Alternative practices for testing water resistance of coatings Specimens Subjected to Corrosive Environments
include Practices D870, D1735, and D2247.
D1730 Practices for Preparation of Aluminum and
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units Aluminum-Alloy Surfaces for Painting
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in D1735 Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each Using Water Fog Apparatus
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining D2247 Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings in
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 100 % Relative Humidity
with the standard. D2616 Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Differ-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the ence With a Gray Scale
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D3359 Test Methods for Rating Adhesion by Tape Test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- D3363 Test Method for Film Hardness by Pencil Test
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- D4541 Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Portable Adhesion Testers
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- G154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 3. Summary of Practice
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.1 Water vapor is generated by heating a pan of water at the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. bottom of the test chamber. The specimens form the roof or
walls of the test chamber so that the back sides of the
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and specimens are exposed to the cooling effects of room tempera-
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of ture air. The resulting heat transfer causes vapor to condense on
Subcommittee D01.27 on Accelerated Testing. the test specimens as liquid water saturated with air.
Current edition approved July 1, 2018. Published July 2018. Originally approved
in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4585 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/
D4585_D4585M-18.
2 3
Foecking, N. J., “Cleveland Condensing Type Humidity Cabinet,” Offıcial For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Digest, December 1963, Vol 35, No. 467, pp. 1318–1327; and Higgins, W. A., contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
“Cleveland Condensing Type Humidity Cabinet: II,” Offıcial Digest, November Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1965, Vol 37, No. 490, pp. 1392–1404. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D4585/D4585M − 18
3.2 The temperature and amount of condensate forming on
the specimens is controlled by the temperature differential
between the test chamber and the room. The test specimens are
inclined so that condensate runs off the test surface by gravity
and is replaced by fresh condensate in a continuous process
during the condensate cycle.
3.3 Exposure conditions are varied by selecting: (a) the
temperature of the test, (b) the duration of the test, and (c)
periodic drying of the specimens. Testing may be conducted at
temperatures from 38 to 82°C [100 to 180°F]. Any effects such
as color change, blistering, loss of adhesion, softening, or
embrittlement are observed and reported.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Water can cause degradation of coatings, so knowledge
of how a coating resists water is helpful in predicting its service
life. Failure in a condensation test may be caused by a number
of factors including a deficiency in the coating itself, contami-
nation of the substrate, or inadequate surface preparation. The
test is therefore useful for evaluating coatings alone or com- FIG. 2 Apparatus Cross Section
plete coating systems.
4.2 Condensation tests of coatings are used for specification insulated side walls mounted on a base, test specimen racks
acceptance, quality control, and research and development of attached to the side walls, a heated water pan, and provisions
coatings and substrate treatments. These tests usually result in for controlling and indicating the vapor temperature within the
a pass or fail determination but the degree of failure also may chamber. Vents, approximately 3 to 5 mm [0.10 to 0.20 in.]
be measured. A coating system is considered to pass if there is wide, shall be provided to admit room air at the bottom of the
no evidence of water-related failure after a specified period of test chamber. Locate the chamber away from air vents and
time. direct drafts.
4.3 Results obtained from the use of condensation tests in NOTE 2—The apparatus described in Practice G154 may be used if the
ultraviolet lamps specified in Practice G154 are turned off.
accordance with this practice should not be represented as
being equivalent to a period of exposure to water in the natural 5.2 Specimens shall form the roof of the test chamber. If the
environment, until the degree of quantitative correlation has specimens cannot completely fill all the openings, blank panels
been established for the coating or coating system. shall be used. Certain substrates may deform from the heat and
moisture. The specimens shall be mounted to eliminate gaps
4.4 The test is usually conducted on metal, plastics, or wood
between specimens that allow heat and moisture to escape.
specimens with the coating facing the inside of the chamber.
Various types of tape can be used to seal the gaps that develop
However, it is possible to test the blister resistance of house
when the specimen deforms. Specimens shall be inclined from
coatings on wood specimens by mounting the uncoated wood
15 to 75° from the horizontal and arranged so that condensate
surface facing the inside of the chamber.
is returned to the water pan without dripping on other speci-
4.5 This practice can be used for corrosion tests particularly mens.
if the specimens are periodically dried. While corrosion prod-
5.3 Water Supply, with water level control.
ucts will drain into the water bath, they are not carried into the
vapor that condenses on the test specimens. 5.4 Water Heater, preferably located under the water pan,
controlled by a thermostat with the sensing element located in
5. Apparatus the water.
5.1 Test Chamber (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), consisting of 5.5 Thermometer, with the stem extending into the air-water
vapor mixture in the test chamber.
5.6 Program Timer, Blower, and Air Heater, (optional) fitted
to the chamber to provide periods of drying on a fixed
schedule.
6. Test Specimens
6.1 This practice does not cover the preparation of test
specimens. The substrate composition and surface preparation,
specimen preparation, and the number of specimens should be
agreed upon prior to testing.
FIG. 1 Controlled Condensation Apparatus NOTE 3—Applicable methods for the preparation of test panels and

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 D4585/D4585M − 18
substrates are given in Practice D609 and Practices D1730. Practices during operation is permitted. When removing a specimen for
D823 cover application techniques for the production of uniform films. inspection, replace it with a blank so that the test conditions are
6.2 It is recommended that a control specimen of a coating not altered.
with known durability be included with each test. Such control 7.5 Cyclic operation with alternating periods of condensa-
specimens can provide warning of changes in test severity in a tion and drying may be used. Automatic drying requires the
given apparatus, and can indicate variations in test severity apparatus described in 5.6. For manual drying of specimens,
between different apparatuses. remove them from the apparatus. Drying periods of at least 4
6.3 It is recommended that at least two replicate specimens h long are recommended.
of each different coating be used, so as to compensate for 7.6 To control for variability within the apparatus, reposi-
variations between specimens and variations in test conditions tion the specimens on a regular basis so that all specimens
within the apparatus. spend equivalent amounts of time in the various areas of the
6.4 Test specimens should be flat rigid material. Minimum apparatus (top, bottom, left, right, and center).
size is 76-mm [3-in.] wide and 152-mm [6-in.] tall. Maximum 7.7 Conclude the test after a specified period of time or after
thickness is 19 mm [3⁄4 in.]. Materials thicker than 19 mm [3⁄4 effects from exposure to water are noted.
in.] insulate and the condensate does not form on the tested
side of the panel. If the test panels overshadow the upper shelf, 7.8 Remove specimens at the conclusion of the test. Do not
do not put test panels on the upper shelf. Check the samples leave the specimens in the apparatus at the conclusion of the
periodically to make sure condensation is occurring. test as the specimens can remain wet for hours, or even days,
NOTE 4—A 3 mm glass plate in place of a sample will work to monitor when the apparatus is turned off.
whether condensation is occurring. 7.9 Wipe the test specimens dry. Rate specimens for
changes in color, blistering, etc. Evaluate specimens no less
7. Procedure than 5 min and no more than 10 min after removal from test,
7.1 Fill the water pan to a depth of approximately 25 mm [1 as the effects from water exposure can change within a short
in.] with water. The quality of the water in the pan does not time. Remove only as many specimens as can be rated within
affect the test since the evaporation and condensation process the specified time.
yields distilled water, but the use of tap water can result in the
NOTE 5— Relevant procedures for evaluating water effects are de-
accumulation of residues in the water pan. scribed in Test Methods D610, D714, D1654, D2616, D3359, D3363, and
7.2 Fill all spaces in the specimen holder rack with speci- D4541.
mens or corrosion-resistant blank panels. Mount coated metal 7.9.1 If possible, rate the specimens again after they have
panels with the coating to be tested facing the inside of the been removed from the test for a recovery period long enough
chamber. Coated wood specimens may be mounted in the same that moisture absorbed within the specimen dries out and the
way. specimens reach moisture equilibrium with room air. A recov-
7.2.1 Blister tests to simulate the effects of water vapor ery period from 12 to 24 h is generally sufficient. The
migration from inside a frame house are mounted with the post-recovery rating allows evaluation of the permanent effects
uncoated side of the wood specimen facing the inside of the of the exposure as distinct from the transient effects, and is
test chamber. especially important for evaluation of color and gloss.
7.2.2 Close all gaps between specimens and all holes in
8. Report
specimens, to prevent water vapor loss and local temperature
variation. Condensate usually seals gaps or holes smaller than 8.1 Report the following information:
1 mm [0.04 in.], but larger openings must be closed with tape, 8.1.1 Sample identification.
metal strips, or other suitable gap-filling materials. 8.1.2 Results of the evaluation(s).
8.1.3 Reference to Practice D4585.
7.3 Adjust the thermostat to maintain the desired tempera-
8.1.4 Hours of test duration.
ture of the saturated air and water vapor mixture. Vapor
8.1.5 Description of any cyclic operations.
temperatures of 38, 49, or 60°C [100, 120, or 140°F] are
8.1.6 Condensation temperature.
suggested. Other temperatures may be used provided that the
8.1.7 Special conditions of test or any deviations in test
temperature is reported in conformance with Section 8. To
procedure.
ensure adequate condensation, maintain at least a 11°C [20°F]
temperature differential between the room and the vapor. 9. Keywords
7.4 Operate the chamber continuously unless otherwise 9.1 adhesion; blistering; condensation; humidity; resistance-
specified or agreed. The removal of specimens for inspections water; rust

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 D4585/D4585M − 18
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D4585/D4585M-13) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved July 1, 2018.)

(1) Revised 3.2 to clarify that the temperature differential (5) Revised 7.2.2 to change “crack” to “gap” and allow for use
between the chamber and the room is what causes condensa- of other suitable gap-filling materials, which are commonplace
tion. in this type of testing.
(2) Revised 6.2 and 6.3 from “it’s” to “it is.” (6) Revised 7.5 to reword to eliminate use of “should” and
(3) Revised 4.4 and 6.2 to harmonize in use of the word clarify that drying periods of at least 4 hours are recommended.
coatings, instead of paint. (7) Revised Note 5 to make sentence structure clearer.
(4) Revised 6.4 to correct an error in conversion from English
to SI units. 3⁄4 in. maximum specimen thickness was originally
specified in the standard, but was incorrectly converted to 8
mm (presumably, it should have been 18 mm). That is now
being corrected to more accurately be 19 mm.

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