TQC SHEEN
FILM APPLICATION
Film application in coating industry includes a broad range of different devices and instruments which are an absolute necessity for testing or evaluation. Only in this way the quality-related properties required can be tested, compared, documented and communicated in compliance with the requirements. Film application covers a range of instruments that can be divided in four groups.
Automatic Film Applicator Standard
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The Automatic film applicator provides a reliable basis to apply coating films to test charts, panels or foils. A heated model is also available.
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Standards: ASTM D823
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The Automatic film applicator provides a reliable basis to apply coating films to test charts (max. size 515 x 300 mm / 20.28 x 11.81 in), panels or foils in a uniform and reproducible way in order to eliminate variations caused by human factors.
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Reproducible
Variations in speed, pressure and direction of draw down cause irregularities. Other factors that may influence the result are the shear rate and the weight of the applicator. With the Automatic film applicator these variable factors are being stabilised. Over the complete surface the film thickness is even. Samples created with the Automatic film applicator are reproducible. It’s possible to produce a large number of identical laboratory precision draw downs in a short period of time.
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Rheological properties
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The quality of the applied film is important for research on rheological properties of the applied media. To prepare samples for testing rheological properties, abrasion resistance, hiding power and gloss the Automatic film applicator is a must have. Multiple types of automatic film applicators are available for either glass/paper/metal substrates or foils.
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Block- and spiral applicators
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All models can be used in combination with either standard block type film applicators such as bird/baker models, or spiral bar type film applicators (wire wound rod type) depending on the configuration chosen.
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Unique Interface
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Each Automatic Film Applicator ‘Standard’ is equipped with the Triple I ® Navigation Tool. The Triple I stands for Intelligent Illumination Interface. This unique navigation tool guides the operator through the interface of TQC Sheen lab-machines. At each step of the operating menu the interface detects which buttons are active and indicates these by means of an illuminated red centre. This results in a very intuitive operating system which is enhanced with information on the machine’s display.
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Heated bed
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The Automatic Film Applicator Standard with perforated heated vacuum bed has a built-in heating mat which allows the temperature of the table to be elevated up to +100°C above ambient temperature. The powerful heating device guarantees an even distribution of the temperature over the entire vacuum plate. Temperature is set and controlled by means of the Triple I ® Navigation tool
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Automatic Film Applicator Compact
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The AFA Compact is an entry level film applicator that accepts charts up to A4 size.
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Standards: ASTM D823
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The AFA Compact is an entry level film applicator that accepts charts up to A4 size. Application speed can be set from 1 to 150 mm/s. The Compact is suitable for both wire wound rod applicators and block applicators. Operating is easy through the standard TQC operating interface. The AFA Compact is available with a glass bed or a perforated vacuum bed.
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Heated Perforated Vacuum Table
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Perforated table with built-in temperature control. Apply even and consistent films of paint and coatings on test charts.
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Heated Perforated Vacuum Table with built-in temperature control and display.
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Create thin films of paint, lacquers and other materials. Add an optional vacuum pump to hold your test charts, non-elastic foils and other flat substrates firmly in place. Small sized specimens can be held in place by covering any remaining vacuum holes.
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Heat is evenly distributed so the entire vacuum plate has the exact same temperature. Temperature can be adjusted from ambient till 125°C. The digital controller allows users to accurately set the temperature to one decimal place.
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The Heated Perforated Vacuum Table is compatible with all common type applicators such as Baker and Bird.
Applications
• Test coatings to evaluate opacity, hiding power and other appearance parameters.
• Test adhesives like glues to evaluate bonding strength at different temperatures.
• Apply slurry pastes for research of thin film technologies in battery development.
• Prepare test charts for scrub -, abrasion- and washability tests.
Glass Film Application Table
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A series of ultra-flat TQC Glass Film Application Tables, designed to draw down sample coatings on test charts with a high degree of reproducibility.
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The glass application tables are equipped with a strong clamp to hold down the charts and four rubber feet at the bottom to prevent the glass application table from slipping.
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Supplied with rubber top cover for use with specific applicators.
To be used with Bird Applicator, Baker Applicator, Quadruplex Applicator, Bar Applicator, and any other type film applicator
Bird-type Film Applicators, 4-sided
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Standards: ASTM D1084
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TQC Sheen Bird-type film applicator with flat edges. Four application sides for applying 4 different pre-defined thicknesses. The TQC Bird-type applicator is available in film width 50, 60, 75, 80, 100 and 150mm and suitable for applying a host of different products onto flat and relatively solid substrates. The high-grade stainless steel will not be affected by acid or base elements.
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We can give no guarantee of the wet thickness that will be obtained. The wet thickness is dependent upon the solids and vehicle content of the wet material as well as other factors. Film thickness deposited may vary from 40% to 80% of the actual gate clearance of the Bird-type applicator.
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Through hardening versus Case-hardening or surface hardening.
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Through-hardening means the metal uniformly is hardened throughout the piece. Case- or surface (face / frame) hardening only hardens the top layer of the metal. Once the top layer is degraded excessive wear and tear will occur on the product limiting its life time and affecting accuracy.
Bird-type Film Applicators, Single Gap
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Standards: ASTM D2486, ASTM D3258, ASTM D3265, ASTM D333, ASTM D823
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TQC Sheen Bird-type film applicator with one flat edge. One application side for applying 1 predefined thickness. The Bird-type applicator single gap is available in film width 50 and 75 mm and suitable for applying a host of different products onto flat and relatively solid substrates. The high-grade stainless steel will not be affected by acid or base elements.
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We can not give guarantee of the wet thickness that will be obtained. The wet thickness is dependent upon the solids and vehicle content of the wet material as well as other factors. Film thickness deposited may vary from 40% to 80% of the actual gate clearance of the Bird-type film applicator.
Baker Film Applicators
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Standards: ASTM D3022, ASTM D823
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Cylindrical film applicator with 4 application sides for applicating paint-films of 4 different predefined thicknesses. The Baker applicator’s are available in film width 60 mm and 80 mm and are suitable for applying a host of different products onto flat and relatively solid substrates. Since it’s made out of high-grade stainless steel, the Baker Film Applicator will not be affected by acid or base elements.
4-Sided Film Applicator, Dual Reservoir, 100|200|300|400µm
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Special 4-gap (quadruplex) Stainless Steel applicator with double reservoir each with 4 different values. This TQC applicator allows the user two apply 2 layers of coating simultaneously with the same thickness. Ideally for use in combination with the TQC Automatic Film Applicators and TQC Abrasion- & Scrub testers.
4-sided Film Applicators
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Standards: ASTM D1084
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The TQC Sheen 4-Sided Film Applicator (Quadruplex) has four application sides for applying paint films with four different predefined thicknesses, in film width 60 or 80 mm. One side of the applicator is supplied with a guidance support for straight application. This support may be removed as well. The high grade stainless steel will not be affected by acid or base elements.
Triple Reservoir Film Applicator 90|150 Microns
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TQC Film Applicator with 3 reservoirs. Ideal for applying paint with use of a TQC Automatic Film Applicator or Drying Time Recorder. This applicator can apply 2 predefined thicknesses, 90 and 150µm
Wire Bar Coater
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Standards: ASTM D1084
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Wire bar applicator with a film width of 180, 230 or 320 mm and available in ranges from 0 to 300 µm
The Wire bar or spiral bar / drawdown rod applicator is ideal for applying a film on thin materials such as sheets or plastic. Also works on flexible substrates, and with motorized film applicators*. -
The high-grade stainless steel will not be affected by acid or base elements.
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Material: Stainless Steel
Straightness: <50µm
Automatic Panel Sprayers (4500N – 4700N)
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Panel Sprayers remove the inconsistency of application experienced when using hand held spray guns, thus offering a means to set optimum and repeatable conditions to achieve consistent results.
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Standards: ASTM D823
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Panel Sprayers remove the inconsistency of application experienced when using hand held spray guns, thus offering a means to set optimum and repeatable conditions to achieve consistent results.
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Consistency
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Consistency in coating application is absolutely essential for subsequent evaluation of colour, gloss, opacity and general appearance, also for the physical properties including thickness, sagging, levelling and adhesion.
Evaluation of these properties is particularly important when applying high performance coatings such as metallic, pearlescent paints and special effect coatings.
The TQC Sheen Automatic Panel Sprayers are fully pneumatic and have been developed in association with major coating manufacturers.
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Models and Options
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Two models are available, namely SH0586 and SH0590. (Previously SH4500N & SH4700N models respectively)
The SH0586 is equipped for a single spray gun* use, the SH0590 model has the facility for two spray guns*.
*spray guns are not included with the Sprayers.
(The former Sheen model 4800N is no longer available.)
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Differences between the new models and the superseded Sheen 4500N and 4700N models
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The models SH0586 and SH0590 are the standard Sheen 4500N and 4700N, which had a switch for 2 settings with fixed values of 40 and 50 mm lift increments.
The models SH0582 and SH0581 are 2 new models, which are also based on Sheen models 4500N and 4700N, however with configurable lift settings. They also have a switch, but this switch has a custom predefined Lift setting as of factory. The lift setting can be configured in steps of 10mm up to maximum of 500mm. The lower the number the more steps. The required configuration needs to be defined on the order.
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New Variants
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Based on the SH0586 (single gun) and SH0590 (twin gun) models, the two new variants SH5082 (single gun) & SH5081 (twin guns) are available for the customer to specify the gun lift increments from 10mm to 500mm.
Panel Holders
All models are supplied with magnetic panel holders as standard; an optional Vacuum Panel Holder is available for use with non-magnetic and other flat panels. This option is only available when installed from the factory.
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Setting parameters
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The sprayers offer the facility to determine the optimum atomisation, coating build, flash off timing, flow/levelling, film thickness also gun traverse speeds and accelerated drying.
These settings are particularly important when defining the characteristics of new formulations.
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Optimum settings
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Once the optimum settings for a product have been achieved they can be easily reproduced for quality control and further sampling, thus enabling identification of any inconsistencies in formulation or preparation.
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Cube Applicators
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TQCSHEEN Cube applicator for applying a paint film of uniform thickness. Ideal for applying paint on test panels used on for instance a drying time recorder.
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Standards: ASTM D823
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Cube applicator for applying a paint film of uniform thickness. Each Cube Applicator can apply 2 pre-defined thicknesses, or 2 thicknesses to customer specifications. TQC Sheen Cube Applicators are ideal for applying paint on test panels used on for instance a drying time recorder.
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Cube applicators are standard equipped with a guide plate. When used with a narrow glass panel (AB3602) this guide plate eliminates the need for a casterguide. The guide plate guarantees straight draw downs on the narrow glass panel (AB3602). The guide plate is fixed with screws and can easily be removed. Every Cube Applicator is made out of ASAB Stavax ESR medical grade stainless tool steel, which is sub zero vacuum hardened (+1756°C to -70°C), through hardened, hardness HRC 55.
*Through hardening versus Case-hardening or surface hardening. -
Through-hardening means the metal uniformly is hardened throughout the piece. Case- or surface (face / frame) hardening only hardens the top layer of the metal.
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Once the top layer is degraded excessive wear and tear will occur on the product limiting its life time and affecting accuracy.
Micrometer Film Applicators
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Adjustable Micrometer Film Applicator with adjustable gap size from 0 to 8 mm.
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Standards: ASTM D823
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Adjustable Micrometer Film Applicator. The applicator blade can be adjusted in 10 μm increments by means of 2 micrometer heads, over a gap size from 0 to 8 mm.
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The micrometric applicator offers the user flexibility to adjust the optimum gap size for the sample application. Ideally suited to research projects where small variations in film thickness need to be evaluated accurately.
Test Charts
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Standards: ASTM D1084, ISO 11998
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A wide range of consistent test charts for testing physical properties of coating, lacquers and inks. Suitable for determining hiding power, opacity and spreading rate.
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They come in a variety of dimensions from DIN A6 up to and including DIN A4. All charts are film laminated for an excellent solvent and chemical resistance and an even film spread. On each chart there is a section for filling out the date, time and test number.
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To perform tests according to ISO 11998 there is a special Washability opacity scrub chart, with which contrast measurements can be performed.
Special designs are possible with quantities over 10.000 pieces per chart.
Test Panels
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TQC Panels are available in a large variety of dimensions, materials and thicknesses.
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Use of TQC Test panels enhances reproducibility of physical and chemical tests.
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Each panel is equipped with a hole for hanging and handling.
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Not only standard test panels are available. Special dimensions to customers specifications are possible as well. Look up the brochure for more information about the assortment.
Universal Test Panel Rack
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Universal test panel rack that holds up to 18 test panels. Minimum width of test panels is 70 mm / 2.76 inch, with a thickness of 0,5 to 5 mm / 0.02 inch to 0.2 inch.
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Suitable for metal panels, glass, wood, plastic etc. The panel rack can be placed horizontally or vertically on a desk, but can also be wall-mounted.
Grindometer Tool For Automatic Film Applicator
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The device allows the user to clamp a TQC grindometer scraper onto the TQC Automatic Film Applicator.
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Grindometer tool to be used as an optional test tool for the
TQC Automatic Film Applicators. This device allows the user to clamp a TQC grindometer scraper onto the TQC Automatic Film Applicator, to define the fineness of grind accurately and reproducibly. -
This article ONLY contains the tool. Automatic film applicator and grindometer are sold separately.
Knock-Out Test Panels
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Our new TQC Knock-out test panels are designed to minimize the build-up of paint on the panel edges because of the knock-out frames. Because of the 4 mm holes in the knock-out frames it is easy to hang the panels horizontally or vertically without leaving any marks.
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All our knock-out panels are provided with a protective PE film on the prepared side (prepared side recognizable by its round edge in the right upper corner) which serves as protection against scratches, corrosion and finger prints. The film is easy removable after the panels are hanged.
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The TQC knock-out panels meet the requirements for Qualicoat, GSB, QIB and ISO standards.
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The panels are standard delivered in 2, 4 or 8 pcs per frame and packed in a resealable carton box.
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Other shapes and sizes available upon request.
8-sided Film Applicator – Octoplex
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Standards: ASTM D1084
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Multifunctional film applicator (Octoplex) with 8 pre-defined thickness sides for
applying paint-films of: 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 micron. -
Film width 60 mm.
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The high-grade stainless steel will not be affected by acid or base elements.
Cross Cut Adhesion Test KIT (Master Paint Plate)
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Versatile measuring tool with common tests for paints and coatings.
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Standards: ISO 2409, ГОСТ 15140
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The TQC Cross Cut Adhesion Test KIT (Master Paint Plate) is a stainless steel measuring tool that features: a 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm cross cut adhesion test according NEN-EN-ISO 2409:2003 and ASTM D 3359 (X-cut) Andreas cross.
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Additonal tools:
• Wet film thickness gauge ranging from 50 microns up to 160 microns.
• On the corners there is an edge grind checker for correct roundness of edges.
• At the bottom is a wet film applicator ranging from 0 to 180 µm.
• The top edge provides a leveling test, an indication of the viscosity of the coating.
Delivery includes cutting tool and tape.
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Tapes for the cross cut adhesion test:
Tape For Adhesion Test according ISO 2409:2003
Tape For Adhesion Test according ISO 2409:1999 can be ordered separately as well. -
Standards: NEN-EN-ISO-2409, ASTM D3359
Film Applicator for Sag and Levelling
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Standards: ASTM D1084, ASTM D4400
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The TQC Sag and Levelling Film Applicator is a special film applicator with dual function. One side with 10 gaps from 75 to 300 micron to test the tendency to sag in relation to the film thickness. At the counter side 5 pairs of notches of increasing depth are made to create sets of two film stripes. The merging of the stripes can be evaluated to define the leveling ability. The high-grade stainless steel will not be affected by acid or base elements.
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Complies with ASTM D4400 and ASTM D2801.
Sag Index Applicator
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The Sag Index Applicator is especially designed for sag resistance evaluation. The total film width of 90mm is equally divided into 10 gaps, incremented in depths of 25µm
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Standards: ASTM D1084, ASTM D4400
The Sag Index Applicator is especially designed for sag resistance evaluation. The total film width of 90mm is equally divided into 10 gaps, incremented in depths of 25µm. The space between each gap is 1.5mm. -
The application of the coating is the same as for standard bar applicators, but afterwards the test panel is lifted and turned to be at 90 degrees to the horizontal, preferably with the thickest coating positioned at the bottom of the sample.
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The sag index can be determined by the first track that does not show signs of sagging onto the next track below.
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The TQC Sheen Sag Index Applicator has removable guidance plates. This guidance plate guarantees straight draw downs on glass panels or thicker test panels