Metallographic / Optical Microscopy / SEM Analysis:
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Cross-section analysis to determine the thickness of the coating, voids, and pores
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Radial sectioner analysis to measure coating thickness, as an alternative to standard cross section analysis
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Determine grain size and structure
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Check uniformity
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Topography and film crack morphology
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Detect coating holidays and fisheyes
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Observe agglomeration of UV protecting and color-providing inorganic particles
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Detect presence, prevalence, and size of nibs
FTIR or Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis:
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Identify the organic coating
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Detect carbonates, phosphates, sulfates, nitrates, and nitrites
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With specular reflectance accessory, determine the chemistry as a function of depth and separate signal from multiple layers
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Determine whether coating absorbs water
XPS or ESCA Analysis:
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Determine chemical composition of coating binders or matrix polymers
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Detect contaminants on surfaces to be coated
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Determine cause of coating peeling or delamination
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Determine the composition of filler particles or flakes
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Determine the composition of underlying anodized metal layers
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Determine the composition of corrosion prevention undercoatings and primers
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Identify composition of particles causing nibs
Thermogravimetric Analysis or TGA:
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Determine oxidation behavior
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Determine weight % of filler minerals
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Measure weight of absorbed/adsorbed water
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Determine weight of solvents in liquid paint for VOC emissions
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Measure weight loss upon heating to cause oxidation
Differential Scanning Calorimetry or DSC:
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Determine crystalline phase changes
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Measure melting temperatures
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Measure heat of fusion
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Determine cure temperature
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Measure glass transition temperature
Thermomechanical Analysis or TMA:
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Measure coefficient of thermal expansion
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Measure softening temperature
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Determine degree of crystallinity
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Measure glass transition temperature
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Measure shrinkage due to volatization of organic solvents or water
Electrochemistry:
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Corrosion resistance due to a protective coating on metal in various electrolytes
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Detection of coating holidays
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Time to corrosion failure due to water penetration and absorption
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EIS measurement of resistance and capacitance changes in coatings
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Corrosion rate measurements
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Undercoat corrosion
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Measure activity in holidays or pores through coatings
Profilometry:
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Measure the surface roughness of the coating
Viscometry:
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Measure the viscosity of liquid paint or particle emulsions
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Measure resin demand for particle emulsions
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Measure the effect of pH on viscosity
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