Designation: D 962 – 81 (Reapproved 2003)

Standard Specification for

Aluminum Powder and Paste Pigments for Paints1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 962; 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 3.4.1 Class A, Fine—Maximum of 0.1 % retained on a No.

1.1 This specification covers four types and three classes of 325 (45-µm) sieve.
aluminum pigments for use in paints. 3.4.2 Class B, Medium—Maximum of 1.0 % retained on a
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve.
2. Referenced Documents 3.4.3 Class C, Coarse—Maximum of 11.0 % retained on a
2.1 ASTM Standards: No. 325 (45-µm) sieve.
D 480 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing of Flaked NOTE 1—The particle size characteristics of the Type 3 and Type 4
Aluminum Powders and Pastes2 pigments of the same class do not correspond with each other; in the case
E 34 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Aluminum and of Types 1 and 2 they do.
Aluminum-Base Alloys3
4. Composition and Properties
3. Classification 4.1 Aluminum Pigment Powder (Type 1, Leafing and Type
3.1 Type I—Leafing Aluminum Pigment Powder: 3, Nonleafing)—The aluminum pigment powder shall consist
3.1.1 Class A, Fine—Maximum of 0.1 % retained on a No. of commercially pure aluminum in the form of fine, polished
325 (45-µm) sieve. flakes, and a suitable fatty lubricant. It shall contain no filler or
3.1.2 Class B, Medium—Maximum of 1.5 % retained on a extender pigments.
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve. 4.2 Aluminum Pigment Paste (Type 2, Leafing and Type 4,
3.1.3 Class C, Coarse—Maximum of 20 % retained on a Nonleafing)—The aluminum pigment paste shall consist of
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve. commercially pure aluminum in the form of fine, polished
3.2 Type II—Leafing Aluminum Pigment Paste: flakes, and a suitable fatty lubricant combined with a volatile
3.2.1 Class A, Fine—Maximum of 0.1 % retained on a No. thinner. It shall contain no filler or extender pigments.
325 (45-µm) sieve. 4.3 The aluminum pigments, powder, and paste of both
3.2.2 Class B, Medium—Maximum of 1.0 % retained on a leafing and nonleafing types shall conform to the requirements
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve. given in Table 1.
3.2.3 Class C, Coarse—Maximum of 15 % retained on a 4.4 The paint made from the powder or paste shall be
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve. free-flowing and shall give a continuous coating at least equal
3.3 Type III—Nonleafing Aluminum Pigment Powder in smoothness, luster, and general appearance to that of a
(Note): reference sample mutually agreed upon by the purchaser and
3.3.1 Class A, Fine—Maximum of 1.5 % retained on a No. the seller.
325 (45-µm) sieve. 4.5 The aluminum pigments, powder and paste of both
3.3.2 Class B, Medium—Maximum of 6.0 % retained on a leafing and nonleafing types, stored in unopened original
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve. packages within 6 months after shipment shall pass all tests
3.3.3 Class C, Coarse—Maximum of 20 % retained on a applicable to the respective type and class as described in Test
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve. Methods D 480.
3.4 Type IV—Nonleafing Aluminum Pigment Paste (Note 1):
5. Test Methods and Sampling
5.1 Sampling and tests shall be conducted in accordance
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint with Test Methods D 480. Since several of the methods are
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.31 on Pigment Specifications.
empirical and the results are affected by the method, the
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2003. Published October 2003. Originally specified procedures should be closely followed.
approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 1981 as D 962 – 81 (1999).
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.03.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.05.

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1
 D 962 – 81 (2003)
TABLE 1 Requirements for Aluminum Pigments
Leafing Nonleafing
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4
(Powder) (Paste) (Powder) (Paste)
Nonvolatile matter at 105 to 110°C, min, % 99 65 99 65
Easily extracted fatty and oily matter (polishing lubricant), max,%A 4.0 3.0 4.0 3.0
Total impurities other than fatty and oily matter, max, %A 1.0 0.7 1.0 1.25
Coarse particles, max, %:
Class A (total residue retained on a No. 325 (45-µm) sieve) 0.1 0.1 1.5 0.1
Class B (total residue retained on a No. 325 (45-µm) sieve) 1.5 1.0 6.0 1.0
Class C (total residue retained on:
No. 100 (150-µm) sieve 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
No. 325 (45-µm) sieve) 20.0 15.0 20.0 11.0
Leafing, min, %:
Class A 50 55 absent absent
Class B 50 50 absent absent
Class C 50 50 absent absent
A
Nonleafing pigments may contain metal compounds as dispersants. If required, a complete analysis may be made in accordance with Test Methods E 34.

6. Packaging 7. Keywords
6.1 Aluminum paste should be packaged in a polyvent 7.1 aluminum powder; flake; leafing; nonleafing; paste;
container that can be safely vented in case of pressure build-up. polishing lubricant

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