ASTM Standard to provide insight into temperature/viscosity relationship

The viscosity of paints, inks and many related liquid materials varies considerably with temperature. In some cases viscosity can decrease by 10% with every 1°C increase in temperature. A proposed ASTM standard will provide insight into the relationship between temperature and viscosity.
ASTM WK33642, Test Method for Measurement of Viscosity of Paints, Inks or Related Liquid Materials as a Function of Temperature, is being developed by Subcommittee D01.24 on Physical Properties of Liquid Paints and Paint Materials, part of ASTM International Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications.
"It is useful to know the extent of variation but we do not know of any ASTM standard that establishes the viscosity-temperature variation for these materials,” says Clifford Schoff, PhD, Schoff Associates and chairman of D01.24. "The relationship has important implications for viscosity measurement in general and specifically for processes such as hot spray and for sagging and levelling on baking.”
The proposed standard will give instruction on how to prepare a viscosity-temperature table or curve. This will be useful when ambient conditions do not allow the measurement at the exact temperature stated in a specification or regulation.
ASTM International welcomes participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.