ASTM D1640/D1640M-14 (2022) PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Methods for Drying, Curing, or Film Formation of Organic Coatings — ASTM D1640/D1640M-14 (published/affirmed 2022). This document provides laboratory procedures and simple shop/field assessments to determine the stages and rates of film formation (drying and curing) of organic coatings under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. The standard includes multiple test methods intended to evaluate drying/curing behavior at low, ambient and elevated temperatures and under varied humidity conditions, and it clarifies the separate use of SI and inch‑pound units.

Abstract

ASTM D1640/D1640M-14(2022) specifies test procedures (commonly referenced as Methods A, B and C) used to observe and record the progressive stages and times of film formation for paints and related organic coatings. The methods support comparative evaluations of coating types and formulation changes, help assess environmental effects (temperature and relative humidity) on film formation, and provide simple in‑shop/field checks to supplement laboratory testing. The standard is limited to coatings applied to smooth, non‑absorbent substrates for the described lab procedures and emphasizes using SI or inch‑pound units independently.

General information

• Status: Active / Published.
• Publication date: 01 June 2022 (designation D1640/D1640M-14, reaffirmed/published 2022).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 25.220.60 (Organic coatings).
• Edition / version: D1640/D1640M‑14 (2022 edition / reaffirmation of the -14 designation).
• Number of pages: 4 pages.

Scope

These test methods cover determination of the various stages and rates of film formation in the drying or curing of organic coatings under laboratory controlled conditions of air temperature (low, ambient and/or elevated) and/or humidity, and they also describe simple procedures for assessing drying under prevailing shop or field conditions. The standard notes that SI and inch‑pound values are to be used independently and that the laboratory methods are intended for smooth, non‑absorbent substrates (i.e., they do not reflect substrate absorption effects).

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and observation of progressive stages of film formation (tack free, dry to handle, dry through, etc.).
• Three principal test approaches (commonly referenced as Methods A, B and C) to evaluate drying/curing at ambient, low, or elevated temperature/humidity conditions.
• Procedures for simple shop/field assessment of drying under prevailing conditions.
• Requirement to treat SI and inch‑pound units as independent systems (do not mix values from the two systems).
• Limitations: lab methods are intended for coatings on smooth, non‑absorbent substrates and are comparative rather than absolute measures of in‑service performance.
• Guidance that temperature and humidity significantly influence drying and that accelerators/curing agents may be required for low‑temperature cure.

Typical use and users

Used by paint and coatings formulators, quality control and R&D laboratories, independent testing labs, specification writers, and production/inspection personnel who need to compare drying behavior, verify batch consistency, or assess the influence of environmental conditions on film formation. It is also used when evaluating cure accelerators, low‑temperature cure additives, or the effects of increased temperature and humidity on drying/curing rates.

Related standards

Commonly referenced or related ASTM documents include ASTM D823 (practices for producing films of uniform thickness), ASTM D4414 (measurement of wet film thickness by notch gages), and the prior versions of D1640 (for historical reference, e.g., D1640‑03 and prior revisions). Users should consult product‑specific and application‑specific standards or practices where required.

Keywords

dry, drying, drying time, cure, curing, film formation, film formation stages, organic coatings, paint, coating testing, tack free time, dry-through time.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D1640/D1640M-14(2022) is a short ASTM standard that provides test methods to observe and record the stages and rates of drying, curing, and film formation of organic coatings under controlled temperature and humidity conditions (and includes simple shop/field procedures).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers laboratory methods (Methods A, B and C) for evaluating progressive film‑formation stages at low, ambient and elevated temperatures and under specified humidity, plus simple in‑shop/field assessment techniques; it also specifies that SI and inch‑pound units are to be used independently.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Coatings formulators, QC/R&D labs, independent test laboratories, inspectors, and specification authors who need reproducible methods to compare drying/curing behavior or to evaluate formulation or environmental effects on film formation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The designation D1640/D1640M‑14 is shown as published/reaffirmed in 2022 and listed as active; users should verify edition requirements in their procurement/specification documents and consult ASTM or their national standards body for the latest status before citing the standard in contracts.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee D01 work on paint and related coatings and is linked by practice and referenced methods to other ASTM standards for film production and measurement (for example, ASTM D823 and ASTM D4414). It also supersedes earlier revisions of D1640.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Drying, curing, film formation, drying time, tack free, dry‑through, organic coatings, paint testing.