Designation: D 2485 – 91 (Reapproved 2007)

Standard Test Methods for

Evaluating Coatings For High Temperature Service1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2485; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope G 7 Practice for Atmospheric Environmental Exposure

1.1 These test methods cover the evaluation of the heat- Testing of Nonmetallic Materials
resistant properties of coatings designed to protect steel sur- 3. Summary of Test Methods
faces exposed to elevated temperatures during their service
life. Two test methods are described as follows: 3.1 Panels suitably coated with the material under test are
Method A—Interior Service Coatings evaluated under one or both of two test methods depending on
Method B—Exterior Service Coatings the intended usage.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 3.1.1 Test Method A, Interior Service Coatings—Coated
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information panels are heated for 24 h in a muffle furnace at a temperature
only. agreed upon between the purchaser and the seller. One panel is
1.3 This standard does not purport to address the safety plunged into water and the other cooled and then subjected to
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility a bend test.
of whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appro- 3.1.2 Test Method B, Exterior Service Coatings—Coated
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- panels are subjected to temperatures that increase in steps from
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard 205 to 425°C (400 to 800°F). One panel is subjected to salt
statements are given in Section 5. spray for 24 h, and one is exposed outdoors for 12 months.
3.2 When tests are completed, the panels are examined for
2. Referenced Documents evidence of film degradation including rust formation, blister-
2.1 ASTM Standards: ing, loss of adhesion, dulling, and chalking.
A 36/A 36M Specification for Carbon Structural Steel
4. Significance and Use
A 283/A 283M Specification for Low and Intermediate
Tensile Strength Carbon Steel Plates 4.1 Some coating systems are developed for use over steel
A 285/A 285M Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, that is exposed to high temperatures during service life. This
Carbon Steel, Low- and Intermediate-Tensile Strength method provides an accelerated means of determining the
B 117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus performance of these coating systems. Testing of coatings
D 522 Test Methods for Mandrel Bend Test of Attached designed for interior service, and of coatings designed for
Organic Coatings exterior (weather-exposed) service is included.
D 609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels 5. Apparatus
for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and
Related Coating Products 5.1 Automatic spray equipment as described in Practices
D 823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness D 823 (Method A) or any other suitable method that will give
of Paint, Varnish, and Related Products on Test Panels the required uniformity of film and film thickness.
D 1186 Test Methods for Nondestructive Measurement of 5.2 Muffle furnace capable of maintaining the temperatures
Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to described in 7.2 and 7.3.
a Ferrous Base2 5.2.1 Warning: Due to the high temperatures involved in
D 2200 Standard Pictorial Surface Preparation Standards operating the muffle furnace, extreme caution should be used.
for Painting Steel Surfaces 5.3 Salt spray apparatus as described in Practice B 117.
6. Panel Preparation
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on 6.1 Type—Panel dimensions shall be established by prior
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct agreement between the purchaser and the seller. Use panels of
responsibility of Subcommittee D01.27 on Accelerated Testing.
Current edition approved June 1, 2007. Published June 2007. Originally
6.4 mm (1⁄4 in.) hot-rolled steel conforming to Specification
approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D 2485 – 91 (2000). A 36/A 36M or Specification A 283/A 283M, or when appro-
2
Withdrawn. priate, Specification A 285/A 285M for the water quench test

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

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 D 2485 – 91 (2007)
in Test Method A, and for all tests under Test Method B. For 315°C (600°F) for 8 h
the bend test in Test Method A, the panels must be thin and soft 370°C (700°F) for 16 h
enough to be bent as described in Test Methods D 522. 425°C (800°F) for 8 h
6.2 Cleaning—Clean the panels for both test methods in
NOTE 1—Many high temperature paints depend upon service condi-
accordance with Practice D 609, Methods B or D. Then, using tions to provide the extreme heat required to cure or sinter their films. If
a fine silica sand (graded to pass through a No. 40 (425-µm) these paints are never exposed to the extreme heat, they may be found to
sieve), blast the panels for Method B to “white” metal be unsuitable. Consequently, it is good practice to make observations also
(removing all mill scale and rust) so that the panels comply at temperatures less than the expected service temperatures.
with grade A SP-5 of Standard D 2200. Other blast media and
7.3.3 Remove the test panels and make a visual inspection
blast methods are acceptable if agreed upon between the buyer
following exposure at each temperature level for evidence of
and the seller. Blast-cleaned panels cannot be subjected to the
failure, including peeling, cracking, blistering, abnormal dis-
bend test because they are too thick to bend.
coloration, or loss of adhesion, using ASTM standards where
6.3 Coatings Applications—Apply the coatings by auto-
possible. Disregard such failures up to 6.4 mm (1⁄4 in.) in from
matic spray, Method A of Practices D 823, or by any other
the edges of the test panels.
suitable method that will assure the required uniformity of film
thickness. The number of coats, technique, and cycle for drying 7.3.4 At the end of the complete exposure, remove the
between coats of multicoat systems, limits of dry film thick- panels from the oven or muffle furnace and allow to air cool at
ness, and drying time before exposure shall be established by ambient temperature for a minimum period of 1 h. As de-
prior agreement between the purchaser and the seller. Deter- scribed in 7.3.3, inspect for evidence of failure due to the high
mine dry film thickness in accordance with Test Methods temperature exposure.
D 1186. Allow coatings that air dry at ambient temperature to 7.3.5 If both panels of each pair pass the heat test satisfac-
dry a 168 h at a temperature of 24 6 2.5°C (75 6 5°F) prior torily, use them, respectively, for salt spray (fog) testing and
to exposing to test conditions. Bake coatings that require heat exterior exposure testing.
conversion in accordance with the recommendation of the 7.3.5.1 Place one panel of each pair in a salt spray cabinet
supplier. operated in accordance with the requirements of Practice
B 117, for a period of 24 h. At the conclusion of the exposure
7. Procedure period, examine each panel for rusting or any other evidence of
7.1 Sampling—When panels have been coated at another corrosive attack.
location, select at random from different packages two speci- 7.3.5.2 Expose the second panel of each pair on an
mens for each method of each type of coating under investi- insulated-type rack, as described in Practice G 7, or as agreed
gation. upon between the purchaser and seller, for a period of 12
7.2 Test Method A: months. Make a visual inspection after 6 months and after
7.2.1 Place one panel each of the two types described in 6.1 termination of the exposure. The site to conduct the test and the
and 6.2 coated with each paint under test in a muffle furnace angle of the exposure rack should be agreed upon between the
maintained at the test temperature mutually agreed upon purchaser and the seller, and should relate to the end-use
between the purchaser and the seller, and allow to remain for application of the coating.
24 h. At the end of this time plunge one of the panels
immediately into water maintained at 70 6 5°F (21 6 2.5°C). 8. Report
After removing from the water, examine the coating film for
evidence of film failure including dulling, blistering, cracking, 8.1 Report the following information:
and loss of adhesion. Allow the second panel to cool at a room 8.1.1 Description of substrates, substrate preparation, and
temperature of 24 6 2.5°C (75 6 5°F) for 1 h, then rapidly application conditions used.
bend double over a 12.7-mm (1⁄2-in.) diameter steel mandrel 8.1.2 Air drying and the baking schedule used.
with coated side uppermost in accordance with Test Methods 8.1.3 Details of outdoor exposure when applicable, includ-
D 522, Method B. Examine this panel for evidence of film ing:
degradation such as cracking and loss of adhesion. 8.1.3.1 Exposure site, type (insulated rack, black box, open
7.3 Test Method B: rack, etc.) and angle of exposure,
7.3.1 Expose duplicate coated panels finished with the 8.1.3.2 Date of exposure start,
materials under test to the elevated temperature test schedule 8.1.3.3 Radiation data in terms of kilojoule per square metre
mutually agreed upon between the purchaser and the seller. In or langleys during exposure period, and
the absence of such a specified schedule use the following:
8.1.4 Any defects or changes as described under Section 7.
7.3.2 Place the panels in a muffle furnace maintained at
205°C (400°F) for 8 h, then increase the temperature to 260°C
(500°F) for 16 h. Increase the temperature in 55°C (100°F) 9. Precision
increments, alternating the time periods indicated, to the final 9.1 Four operators in four laboratories tested six materials
temperature maximum previously agreed to between the pur- covering a range of heat-resistant properties, and were able to
chaser and the seller. Thus the schedule would be: rank products in order of their heat-resisting qualities. Since
205°C (400°F) for 8 h rankings were of a qualitative nature, no mathematical state-
260°C (500°F) for 16 h ment of reproducibility was established.

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 D 2485 – 91 (2007)
10. Keywords
10.1 heating tests; paints; resistance; heat; temperature tests;
elevated

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