Designation: D3450 − 15

Standard Test Method for

Washability Properties of Interior Architectural Coatings1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3450; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3.1.1 soilant, n—a discoloring substance that clings to the

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the relative surface of a coating, whose dispersed color component is not in
ease of removing soilant discolorations from the dried film of solution and therefore does not penetrate into the film.
an interior coating by washing with either an abrasive or 3.1.1.1 Discussion—soilant differs from stain in that the
nonabrasive cleaner. colorant of a stain is in solution and, therefore, can penetrate
into the film.
1.2 This test method is limited to coatings having a CIE-Y
reflectance of 60 % or more, as measured in accordance with 4. Summary of Test Method
Test Method E1347.
4.1 The test material is applied to a black plastic panel and
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the allowed to dry for 7 days. The reflectance of the film is
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information measured (R1) and then a soilant consisting of carbon black
only. dispersed in mineral oil is applied on the film. The panel is
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the placed on a glass plate in a washability machine and the film is
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the washed with either an abrasive or nonabrasive scrub medium
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- for 100 cycles. The panel is rinsed and dried and the reflectance
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- in the stained area is read (R2). The ratio of the reflectance,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. R2/R1, is a measure of the degree to which the soilant has been
removed.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 5. Significance and Use
D562 Test Method for Consistency of Paints Measuring 5.1 Interior architectural paints are often discolored by dirt
Krebs Unit (KU) Viscosity Using a Stormer-Type Viscom- and other soilant materials. This test method covers the relative
eter ease and completeness of removal of a specific soilant from
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water such a surface by scrubbing. The greater the ease of soil
D1210 Test Method for Fineness of Dispersion of Pigment- removal with a minimum of film erosion, the greater the useful
Vehicle Systems by Hegman-Type Gage service life is expected to be.
E70 Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the 5.2 Results obtained by this test method do not necessarily
Glass Electrode correlate with all types of soilants.
E1347 Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Mea-
surement by Tristimulus Colorimetry 5.3 Semigloss finishes generally require only the nonabra-
sive type cleaner for good soilant removal, whereas flat paints
3. Terminology may require the abrasive type.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 6. Apparatus
6.1 Washability Tester,3also referred to as a straight line
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint washability machine.
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.42 on Architectural Coatings.
6.1.1 Accessory Apparatus:
Current edition approved June 1, 2015. Published June 2015. Originally
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D3450 – 00 (2010)ε1.
3
DOI: 10.1520/D3450-15. Model AG 8100 (replaced by BYK-Gardner model 5060) from BYK-Gardner,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Inc., Gardner Laboratory, 9104 Guilford Road, Columbia, MD 21046 and Model
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM “D” from Paul N. Gardner Co., Inc., 316 N. E. First St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on were used originally in this test method. See RR:D01-1065. Straight-line washabil-
the ASTM website. ity testers may be adapted to meet the requirements of this method.

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

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 D3450 − 15
6.1.1.1 Glass Plate, measured to fit, 454 by 165 by 6.3 mm grams
(177⁄8 by 61⁄2 by 1⁄4 in.). Mineral oil, USP heavy 60
Odorless mineral spirits 32
6.1.1.2 Stainless Steel Pan. Carbon black10,8 8
6.1.1.3 “C” Clamps. 100
6.1.1.4 Scale, standard. 7.6.1 Mix components and disperse to a Hegman fineness of
6.1.1.5 White Blotter. 7 (0.5 mils or 13 µm) or when measured in accordance with
6.1.1.6 Holder, brass, measuring 95 by 76 by 25.4 mm (33⁄4 Test Method D1210.
by 3 by 1 in.).
7.7 Scrub Media (Note 1).
6.2 U-Shaped Film Caster,4having both a 0.18-mm (7-mil) 7.7.1 Nonabrasive Medium9,8 consisting of the following:
clearance by 132 mm width and a 0.25-mm (10-mil) clearance
grams
by 138 mm width. Water 89.7A
Hydroxyethyl cellulose11 2.0
6.3 Film Applicator, 76 mm (3 in.) width with 76-µm Detergent12,8 4.0
(3-mil) clearance. Trisodium phosphate, anhydrous 4.0
Acetic acid glacial 0.3B
6.4 Suction Plate for drawdowns (large size). Preservative13,8 0.03
100.0
6.5 45°, 0° Reflectometer, with green filter, as specified in
Test Method E1347. A
Vary to achieve a final consistency of 165 to 220 g (75 to 85 Krebs Units) with a
6.6 Balance, with 0.1-g scale graduation. Stormer Viscometer in accordance with Test Method D562.
B
Vary to achieve a final pH from 9.5 to 10.0 in accordance with Test Method E70.
6.7 Fineness of Dispersion Gage, as specified in Test
Method D1210. 7.7.2 Abrasive Medium,9,8consisting of the following:
grams
Water 49.5A
7. Reagents and Materials Hydroxyethyl cellulose11 0.8
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be Ammonium hydroxide 28 % ---
Detergent12,8 2.0
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that Trisodium phosphate, anhydrous 2.0
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit- Silica14,8 45.0
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society, Acetic acid, glacial 0.7B
Preservative13,8 0.03
where such specifications are available.5 Other grades may be 100.0
used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the A
Vary to achieve a final consistency of 475 to 600 g (110 to 120 Krebs Units) with
accuracy of the determination. the Stormer Viscometer in accordance with Test Method D562.
B
Vary to achieve a final pH of 9.5 to 10.0 in accordance with Test Method E70.
7.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, reference 7.8 Slowly add the hydroxethyl cellulose to the water while
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water conforming stirring mechanically. Stir until uniform and then slowly add 2
to Type IV of Specification D1193. to 3 drops of 28 % ammonium hydroxide solution while
7.3 Black Plastic Panels.6 mixing and continue mixing until the solution turns clear. In
7.4 Sponge.7,8 the order shown, add the other ingredients separately, stirring
continuously. Be sure each item is uniformly dispersed before
7.5 Masking Tape. adding the next one. Add the silica slowly to ensure uniform
7.6 Soilant Medium,9,8consisting of the following: dispersion. Finally, add the preservative and adjust the pH with
glacial acetic acid.
NOTE 1—When a referee test is made, prepare fresh medium or use
4
The Dow film caster from BYK-Gardner, was used originally in this test standardized scrub medium7 from a previously unopened container that is
method. no more than 1 year old.
5
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not 8. Preparation of Apparatus
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia 8.1 Washability Machine—The washability machine should
and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville, be leveled before use and operated at 37 6 1 cpm; each cycle
MD.
6
Dull black plastic panels, P–121–1ON, 432 by 165 by 0.25 mm (61⁄2 by 17 in.
10
by 10 mils) in size, manufactured by the Leneta Co., 15 Whitney Rd., Mahwah, NJ The sole source of supply of Carbon Black, known to the committee at this
07430 were used in the original development of this standard in order to get the time is Printex U Beads, The DeGussa Corp., 65 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park,
results in this test method. NJ 07660.
7 11
The sole source of supply of a sponge, cellulosic type, coarse pore grade, 95 by Known sources of hydroxyethyl cellulose include: Cellosize QP-4400H, The
76 by 38 mm (33⁄4 by 3 by 11⁄2 in.) meeting Federal Spec. L-S-626, Type II, known Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI, and Natrosol 250 MR, Ashland Aqualon,
to the committee at this time is the O’Cel-O Div., General Mills, Inc., 305 Sawyer Wilmington, DE.
12
Ave., Tonawanda, NY 14150. The sole source of supply of octyl phenoxy polyethoxyethanol, Triton X-100,
8
If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to known to the committee at this time is The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI.
13
ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consider- The preservative package recommended is BIT, 1,2–Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one
ation at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, 1 which you may attend. (20 % w/w). There are several suppliers who offer BIT-based agents.
9 14
The sole source of supply of laboratory standardized stain and scrub media, The sole source of supply of Tamsil 45, known to the committee at this time
known to the committee at this time is the Leneta Co. is Unimin Specialty Minerals, Inc., 258 Elm St., New Canaan, CT 06840.

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 D3450 − 15
consisting of a complete forward and reverse stroke. Adjust cleaner face down, to the cables of the washability machine.
tautness of the cables with a spring scale to approximately 5 lb. Add 5 mL of water on each side of the holder in the path of the
8.2 Sponge and Holder—Add sufficient weight to the holder sponge. Start the motor and allow the sponge to travel 25
in the form of lead sheets or other flat weights to give a cycles at the rate of 37 6 1 cpm. Ensure that the sponge and
combined weight of 1500 g, including the dry sponge. holder are level during the run, otherwise uneven wear will
occur on the test panel. At the end of 25 cycles, stop the
NOTE 2—Check the compression of the damp sponge under the 1500-g machine, remove the sponge, clean in running water, squeeze
weight to ensure that the holder does not drag along the panel and tear the
dry, and resoak in water. Wipe off excess stain outside the test
film.
area. Repeat the procedure starting in 9.6 with “ remove the
9. Procedure sponge and squeeze it repeatedly.....” for an additional 25
cycles. Repeat the 25-cycle procedure for a total of 100 cycles,
9.1 Clean the top of the glass plate (or preferably the suction each time trying to start and stop the sponge outside the stained
plate) and both sides of the black plastic panel to be sure they area of the panel.
are free of specks. Place the black panel on the plate and tape
one end to the plate. Smooth the panel along the plate to ensure 9.8 Remove the test panel from the pan, rinse with running
a close fit. tap water, gently moving the palm of the hand over the path of
the sponge to remove clinging particles of scrub medium. Blot
9.2 Stir the test material thoroughly and strain to remove all the panel and then allow to dry at room temperature. After the
skins and particles. Draw down the material on the panel, panel has dried thoroughly, wipe off excess stain outside the
starting from the taped end of the panel. For latex paints, the test area and measure reflectance in the soiled and washed area
0.25-mm (10-mil) side of the applicator will generally be of the panel. Record as R2.
satisfactory, whereas the 0.18-mm (7-mil) side can be used for
solvent-based coatings. However, the film thickness of paint to 9.9 Repeat the test on a second panel and, for each, calculate
be applied may be varied as mutually agreed upon between the the reflectance recovery in percent as (R2/R1) × 100.
purchaser and the seller. The rate of application should be fairly 9.10 If the mean reflectance recovery for the two panels is
slow, 3 to 4 s from end to end, to prevent pinholes or holidays less than 96 %, repeat the test on another set of panels using the
in the film. Air dry in a horizontal position for 7 days in a room abrasive scrub medium specified in 7.7.2 and report the results
preferably maintained at 23 6 2°C (73.5 6 3.5°F) and 50 6 with both mediums.
5 % relative humidity, or under conditions mutually agreeable
to the purchaser and the seller. 10. Report
9.3 On the last day of drying, measure the directional 10.1 Report the mean of the two determinations and the type
reflectance (green filter) of a portion of the panel in accordance of scrub medium used.
with Test Method E1347. Record this value as R1. 10.2 Report any deviations from the standard procedure.
9.4 After reading the reflectance, use the applicator with the 10.3 Note if erosion occurred in the soiled area.
3-mil (75-µm) clearance to draw down a film of soilant
medium perpendicular to the coating film and in the area where 11. Precision and Bias15
the reflectance was measured. Permit the stained panel to dry
for 16 to 24 h under the same drying conditions specified in 11.1 On the basis of an interlaboratory study in which
9.2. operators in six laboratories tested six coatings, including
solvent and water-based systems, and covering a range of
9.5 Clean the glass surface on which the test panel is to be pigment volume concentrations (PVC’s), the following criteria
mounted and also the back of the test panel. Attach the test should be used for judging the acceptability of the results at the
panel to the glass plate and place the mounted test panel, 95 % confidence level:
coated side up, in the pan. Clamp the assembly securely to the 11.1.1 Repeatability—Two results obtained by the same
pan with the “C” clamps, centering the pan so that the sponge operator should be considered suspect if they differ by more
boat can move lengthwise on the panel. than 1.5 % in reflectance recovery with the abrasive cleaner
9.6 Remove the sponge from the holder and soak it in and 9 % in reflectance recovery with the nonabrasive cleaner.
reagent water at room temperature. Remove the sponge and 11.1.2 Reproducibility—Two results, each the mean of two
squeeze repeatedly with one hand until no more water drips measurements, obtained by operators in different laboratories
from the sponge. Replace the sponge in the holder and pour 15 should be considered suspect if they differ by more than 6 % in
6 1 mL of water on the exposed face of the sponge. Stir the reflectance recovery with the abrasive cleaner and 25 % with
scrub medium and spread uniformly across the face of the the nonabrasive cleaner.
sponge 10.0 6 0.1 g of nonabrasive scrub medium. (Use a 11.2 Bias—The concept of bias is not applicable to this test
spatula if necessary when applying the abrasive scrub medium, method.
to apply uniformly over the sponge.)
9.7 Remove excess soilant by covering the soiled area with
a folded absorbent paper towel and exerting pressure by rolling 15
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
the towel with a 2.25 kg (5 lb) rubber roller. Repeat blotting be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D01-1065. Contact ASTM Customer
procedure twice. Attach the sponge holder, with the sponge and Service at [email protected].

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 D3450 − 15
12. Keywords
12.1 soilant resistance; washability

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