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: D2205 − 20

Standard Guide for

Selection of Tests for Traffic Paints1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2205; 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 D522/D522M Test Methods for Mandrel Bend Test of At-

1.1 This guide covers the selection and use of procedures tached Organic Coatings
for testing traffic paints in the laboratory and in the field. D562 Test Method for Consistency of Paints Measuring
Krebs Unit (KU) Viscosity Using a Stormer-Type Viscom-
1.2 This guide covers the testing of ready-mixed solvent eter
base and waterborne paint products of sprayable consistency D711 Test Method for No-Pick-Up Time of Traffic Paint
that shall be suitable for use as a reflecting traffic guide on D713 Practice for Conducting Road Service Tests on Fluid
paved roadways. Traffic Marking Materials
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the D868 Practice for Determination of Degree of Bleeding of
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information Traffic Paint
only. D869 Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Settling of Paint
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the D870 Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Using Water Immersion

iTeh Standards
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- D913 Practice for Evaluating Degree of Traffic Marking
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- Line Wear
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. D1210 Test Method for Fineness of Dispersion of Pigment-
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Vehicle Systems by Hegman-Type Gage
D1475 Test Method for Density of Liquid Coatings, Inks,

Document Preview
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and Related Products
D1729 Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. D2244 Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and
ASTM D2205-20Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color
2. https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/45fb865a-02d0-4f8b-b871-9af3762af4bd/astm-d2205-20
Referenced Documents Coordinates
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 D2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
C219 Terminology Relating to Hydraulic and Other Inor- D2371 Test Method for Pigment Content of Solvent-
ganic Cements Reducible Paints
D8 Terminology Relating to Materials for Roads and Pave- D2372 Practice for Separation of Vehicle From Solvent-
ments Reducible Paints
D16 Terminology for Paint, Related Coatings, Materials, and D2698 Test Method for Determination of the Pigment Con-
Applications tent of Solvent-Reducible Paints by High-Speed Centri-
D154 Guide for Testing of Varnishes (Withdrawn 2018)3 fuging
D185 Test Methods for Coarse Particles in Pigments D2805 Test Method for Hiding Power of Paints by Reflec-
tometry
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
D3723 Test Method for Pigment Content of Water-Emulsion
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Paints by Low-Temperature Ashing
Subcommittee D01.44 on Traffic Coatings. D4060 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Organic
Current edition approved June 1, 2020. Published July 2020. Originally approved Coatings by the Taber Abraser
in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D2205 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/
D2205-20. D6628 Specification for Color of Pavement Marking Mate-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or rials
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM D7377 Practice for Evaluating the Water Wash-Off Resis-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
tance of Traffic Paints using a Water Faucet
the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on D7538 Practice for Evaluating the Water Wash-Off Resis-
www.astm.org. tance of Traffic Paints Using an Atomizing Spray Device

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

1
 D2205 − 20
D8008 Practice for Representative Field Sampling of Traffic 5.1.5 Presence of foreign matter on the road surface, such as
Paints oil, old paint, skid marks, sand, salt, concrete curing
E179 Guide for Selection of Geometric Conditions for compound, etc.
Measurement of Reflection and Transmission Properties 5.2 New portland cement concrete surfaces have a greater
of Materials degree of moisture and alkalinity than older surfaces and
E308 Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by Using thereby adversely affect paint adhesion. Paint adhesion is also
the CIE System affected by the ratio of cement to fine aggregate, coarse
E1164 Practice for Obtaining Spectrometric Data for Object- aggregate, and mixing water, as well as by the surface
Color Evaluation character of the aggregate that can range from impervious
E1347 Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Mea- smooth quartz to irregular, porous slag.
surement by Tristimulus Colorimetry
E1349 Test Method for Reflectance Factor and Color by LIQUID PAINT PROPERTIES
Spectrophotometry Using Bidirectional (45°:0° or 0°:45°)
Geometry 6. Skinning
E1710 Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective
6.1 Paints containing a binder that dries by oxidation are
Pavement Marking Materials with CEN-Prescribed Ge-
subject to skin formation in a partially filled can or by diffusion
ometry Using a Portable Retroreflectometer
of air into a filled can. Since skins are insoluble in the paint
E2367 Test Method for Measurement of Nighttime Chroma-
they must be removed before use. The referenced test employs
ticity of Pavement Marking Materials Using a Portable
a partially filled container to indicate the tendency of a paint to
Retroreflection Colorimeter
skin. A typical minimum time for skinning is 18 to 24 h.
3. Terminology 6.2 Examine the original sample for skins both on the
surface and in the mass. Using a well-mixed, skin-free portion
3.1 Definitions—For definitions used in this guide, refer to of the sample, perform a skinning test in accordance with
Terminology C219, D8, and D16. Guide D154, except use a 0.5-L (1-pt) friction-top can instead
iTeh Standards
3.2 retroreflective optics, n—a particle manufactured for use
with pavement marking materials to provide retroreflective
of a 0.25-L (8-oz) jar.

(https://standards.iteh.ai)
properties to the marking, allowing them to be visible when 7. Coarse Particles
viewed at night under automobile headlights.
7.1 Paints must be free of oversize particles and foreign

tive particle comprised of a pigmentedDocument

core (typically white or Preview
3.2.1 composite optics, n—a multi-component retroreflec- matter to avoid clogging application equipment, a typical
maximum being 1 % by weight of total paint. The referenced
yellow) combined with very small glass or ceramic beads test with a 325-mesh (45-µm) screen gives the percent of this
having a refractive index of between 1.90 and 2.4. material in the paint.
3.2.2 glass beads, n—round spheres manufactured ASTMfrom
D2205-20
7.2 Determine coarse particles in accordance with Test
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/45fb865a-02d0-4f8b-b871-9af3762af4bd/astm-d2205-20
glass of a specific refractive index and size distribution. Methods D185.
NOTE 1—This test is not used for traffic paint containing pre-mixed
4. Summary of Guide retroreflective optics.
4.1 This guide consists of the following tests that, although
not exhaustive, cover the areas normally of concern in traffic 8. Fineness of Dispersion
paint testing: 8.1 A key aspect of the pigment dispersion process in paint
Sections is fineness of grind, which can be measured by drawing the
Liquid Paint Properties 6 through 11 paint sample down a calibrated, tapered groove in a hardened
Application and Appearance Properties 12 through 17
Properties of the Dried Film 18 through 20 steel block with the groove varying in depth from 4 to 0 mils
Analysis of Paint 21 through 24 (100 to 0 µm). The point at which continuous groupings of
Field Evaluations 25 through 29 particles or agglomerates, or both, protrude through the surface
Field Sampling 30
of the liquid is taken as the fineness reading. Lower readings in
5. Conditions Affecting Traffic Paint mils or micrometres or higher reading in Hegman units indicate
better fineness of dispersion.
5.1 Practical requirements for traffic paint may vary with:
8.2 Fineness of grind is not generally specified for traffic
5.1.1 Substrate type, such as portland cement and asphaltic paint but some application equipment may require a limit of 1
concretes, and the various coarse aggregates used therein. to 2 Hegman units (3 to 3.5 mils, 75 to 90 µm). If additional
5.1.2 Climatic conditions, both generally and specifically, at assurance is needed that the paint will not clog application
the time of paint application. equipment, determine the fineness in accordance with Test
5.1.3 Service density, such as heavy traffic areas in cities Method D1210. When testing solvent based paint it may be
versus lightly traveled rural highways and parking lots. necessary to reduce the traffic paint with mineral spirits, or
5.1.4 Traffic type, whether light passenger cars or heavy compatible solvent with a similar evaporation rate, to keep the
trucks and airplanes. film wet long enough to determine the end point more easily.

2
 D2205 − 20
When a premix traffic paint is being tested, conduct the test on opened to free flow of traffic without the paint being transferred
the paint before addition of the beads. to adjacent pavement.
12.2 No-pick-up time as determined by Test Method D711
9. Density or Weight per Gallon
is typically used as a quality control test for dry time. While
9.1 Density as measured by weight per unit volume is not a this method does not predict actual drying time during field
performance characteristic but is used to check product unifor- application, it has been found the Test Method D711 testing
mity from batch to batch. A calibrated weight per gallon cup is accurately predicts trends in most cases. Controlling both
used. humidity and air flow is critical for accurate test results.
9.2 For an unbeaded paint, determine the density in accor-
dance with Test Method D1475. 13. Bleeding

9.3 For beaded paints, use a special weight-per-gallon cup4 13.1 Bleeding refers to the passage of colored matter such
having a modified cap so that the beads do not interfere with a as bitumen from an asphalt pavement through the traffic paint
snug fit of the cap to the cup. Proceed in accordance with Test film. It is a function of the age of the asphalt, its compatibility
Method D1475. with the paint, and the speed of drying of the paint. Determine
bleeding in accordance with Practice D868.
9.4 Traffic paints are viscous and known to entrap air giving
erroneous low values. Air may be visible as bubbles or too 14. Hiding Power
finely dispersed to be seen. The Appendix XI to Test Method 14.1 Hiding power or opacity is a measure of the ability of
D1475 provides a practice of diluting of a material to improve a paint to hide the substrate. It varies, naturally, with the
air release. This method is widely used on waterborne paints thickness of the applied film that may be influenced by the flow
where equal amounts of water and paint are mixed. The density and application properties of the paint.
split mixture is measured and density of the paint calculated
using Eq X1.1. 14.2 Determine the dry hiding power of traffic paints in
accordance with Test Method D2805.
10. Consistency
iTeh Standards
10.1 Paints of a given type should fall within a stated
consistency range as agreed upon between the purchaser and
15. Color and Color Difference
15.1 The color of a paint may be determined precisely by

(https://standards.iteh.ai)
the seller. Consistency is used mainly to ensure product
uniformity. Improper consistency, however, can adversely
means of a spectrophotometer. However, the exact color is not
usually as important as how closely a paint matches a standard.
Color difference between a product and a standard can be
Document
Stormer viscometer in Preview
affect application properties, and in turn, paint performance.
determined visually or with a suitable instrument. Visual
10.2 Determine consistency using the comparison of color is fast and often acceptable although
accordance with Test Method D562. If the requirement is in numerical values are not obtained. Spectrophotometers provide
Krebs units, Table 1 of Test Method D562 permits changing
ASTM
seconds to KU. Method B (Digital Display Stormer-Type D2205-20
numerical values that can be subsequently compared to later
measurements.
https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/45fb865a-02d0-4f8b-b871-9af3762af4bd/astm-d2205-20
Viscometer) is the preferred method.
15.2 If required, determine the color in terms of tristimulus
11. Package Stability values or chromaticity coordinates in accordance with Practice
E308.
11.1 Since paints are not normally used immediately after
manufacture, they must remain stable in the can for some time, 15.3 Determine color difference by visual comparison
which for traffic paints does not generally exceed 6 months. against standard color chips5 in accordance with Practice
The referenced method determines the degree of pigment D1729. This practice covers the spectral photometric, and
settling after 6 months storage at room temperature. geometric characteristics of light source, illuminating and
viewing conditions, size of specimens, and general procedures
11.2 Determine the degree of pigment settling and ease of
to be used in the visual evaluation of color differences of
remixing a shelf-aged specimen in accordance with Test
opaque materials.
Method D869.
15.4 Determine color difference instrumentally in accor-
APPLICATION AND APPEARANCE PROPERTIES dance with Practice D2244. The method covers the instrumen-
tal measurement of small color differences observable in
12. Drying Time daylight illumination between nonfluorescent, nonmetameric,
12.1 The drying time of a traffic paint is particularly opaque surfaces. The instrument used shall conform to all
important because it determines how quickly a lane can be requirements of Guide E179, Practice E1164, Test Method
E1347, Test Method E1349, and Practice E308 (bidirectional
4
The sole source of supply of the satisfactory modified cup known to the
5
committee at this time is BYK Additives and Instruments, 9104 Guilford Rd., The sole source of supply of the standard yellow color chips known to the
Columbia, MD 21046. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this committee at this time is www.fed-std-595.com/FS-595-Paint-Spec.html. If you are
information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Interna-
careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee,1 which tional Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting
you may attend. of the responsible technical committee,1 which you may attend.

3
 D2205 − 20
45°:0°, capable of reporting data for the CIE D65/2°, D6510°, 20. Water Resistance
or C/2° illuminant/observer conditions). 20.1 Water Resistance of Cured Paint Film—This property
is important to traffic paints because they are frequently
16. Reflectance exposed to rain or condensation on bridges. The immersion test
16.1 Reflectance is a measure of the light reflected from the time is quite short in relation to actual exposure so that the test
surface of a paint. It determines which of two specimens detects only paints with poor water resistance.
appears lighter when viewed in average daylight at an angle 20.1.1 Using unbeaded paint, determine water resistance in
that eliminates gloss effects. accordance with Practice D870.
16.2 Determine the reflectance in accordance with Test 20.1.2 The following should be used for testing traffic paint:
Method E1349. apply a 130-µm (5-mil) wet film to a clean glass panel, allow
to air dry for 72 h, immerse in reagent water for 24 h, and allow
a recovery period of 2 h before examining.
17. Night Visibility or Retroreflectance of Beaded Paints
at Low Angles 20.2 Water Resistance of Semi-cured Paint Film—This
property is important to traffic paint because they are fre-
17.1 This property is important to traffic paint but visibility
quently exposed to rain or high humidity conditions shortly
at night is not related to daylight reflectance. The retroreflec-
after application, before the paint film has completely cured.
tance evaluation of test panels coated with traffic paint and
20.2.1 Using unbeaded paint, determine the water resistance
retroreflective optics applied to the surface of the paint should
in accordance with either Practice D7377 or D7538.
be in accordance with Test Method E1710.
ANALYSIS OF PAINT
PROPERTIES OF THE DRIED FILM
21. Chemical Analysis
18. Resistance to Wear
21.1 If a specification requires certain raw materials or
18.1 Resistance to wear is a measure of the ability of the
certain components in a given amount, then chemical analysis
iTeh Standards
dried film to withstand wear from traffic and from objects
is necessary to determine whether the specified materials are
rolled or pulled across the surface.
present in the required amounts. Analysis does not necessarily

resistance in accordance with(https://standards.iteh.ai)

18.2 Using unbeaded traffic paint, determine the abrasion establish paint quality that can also be greatly affected by
Test Method D4060. The thick- manufacturing techniques. Select test procedures from ASTM
ness of the paint film being tested, the conditions (time, methods that are pertinent to the components of traffic paints.

to testing, and the testing conditions Document

(wheel type, weight, and Preview
temperature, etc.) under which the paint film is subjected prior
NOTE 2—No single schematic analysis is comprehensive enough to
cover the wide variety of traffic paint compositions.
number of test cycles) should be agreed upon between the
purchaser and the paint supplier.
ASTM D2205-2022. Nonvolatile Content (Paint)
19.https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/45fb865a-02d0-4f8b-b871-9af3762af4bd/astm-d2205-20
Flexibility 22.1 The percent nonvolatile matter indicates the total
amount of material remaining after the solvent evaporates and
19.1 Elongation is a measure of the flexibility of a paint is a measure of the film solids. This includes both the binder
film. Traffic paints may have difficulty in meeting the refer- and pigment solids portion of the paint sample. Determine the
enced test if they are over-pigmented to obtain high reflectance. nonvolatile content in accordance with Test Method D2369
19.2 Using unbeaded traffic paint, determine the flexibility using a larger specimen size in the case of beaded paint.
in accordance with Test Methods D522/D522M but using
30-gage (0.32-mm) tin plate in place of the specified steel 23. Pigment Content
panel. 23.1 Pigment gives paint its hiding and color and influences
19.2.1 As the thickness and curing conditions are not many other properties. Determine the percent pigment in
specified in Test Methods D522/D522M, one of the following accordance with Test Method D2371, D2698, or D3723.
alternatives should be used for testing solvent borne traffic
paint: 24. Nonvolatile Vehicle Content (NVV or Vehicle Solids)
19.2.1.1 Apply a 380-µm (15-mil) wet film, allow to air dry
18 h, bake 2 h at 50°C, and let cool before conducting the test 24.1 The nonvolatile vehicle is that portion of the film-
with a 12.7-mm (1⁄2-in.) mandrel. forming solids in a paint other than the pigment. It is not to be
confused with the total nonvolatile portion of the paint as
19.2.1.2 Apply a 250-µm (10-mil) wet film, allow to air dry
defined in Section 22. The nonvolatile vehicle content is
24 h, bake 1 h at 65°C, cool, and use a 6.4-mm (1⁄4-in.)
normally referenced as either the percent NVV of the total
mandrel.
paint sample or the percent NVV of the vehicle content of the
19.2.1.3 Apply a 150-µm (6-mil) wet film, bake 6 h at
paint sample. The calculation for the determination of NVV
100°C, cool, and use a 6.4-mm (1⁄4-in.) mandrel. For water-
varies depending on the referenced value as follows:
borne traffic paint apply a 380-µm (15-mil) wet film and allow
48 h to cure at room temperature before conducting the test and NVV as a percentage of the total paint:
use a 12.7-mm (1⁄2-in.) mandrel. % NVV = % Nonvolatile Content - % Pigment Content