This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D5402 − 19

Standard Practice for

Assessing the Solvent Resistance of Organic Coatings
Using Solvent Rubs1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5402; 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.

1. Scope D843 Specification for Nitration Grade Xylene

1.1 This practice describes a solvent rub technique for D3363 Test Method for Film Hardness by Pencil Test
assessing the solvent resistance of an organic coating that D4138 Practices for Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of
chemically changes during the curing process. This technique Protective Coating Systems by Destructive, Cross-
can be used in the laboratory, in the field, or in the fabricating Sectioning Means
shop. Test Method D4752 is the preferred method for ethyl D4752 Practice for Measuring MEK Resistance of Ethyl
silicate zinc-rich primers. Silicate (Inorganic) Zinc-Rich Primers by Solvent Rub
D7091 Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry
1.2 This practice does not specify the solvent, number of Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to
double rubs, or expected test results. Ferrous Metals and Nonmagnetic, Nonconductive Coat-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the ings Applied to Non-Ferrous Metals
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only. 3. Terminology
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.1 double rub, n—the act of rubbing a cloth in one
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- complete forward and back motion over a coated surface.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4. Significance and Use
Consult the supplier’s Safety Data Sheet for specific hazard
4.1 Coatings that chemically change during the curing
information relating to the solvent used.
process, such as epoxies, vinyl esters, polyesters, alkyds and
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
urethanes, become more resistant to solvents as they cure.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
These coatings should reach specific levels of solvent resis-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
tance prior to being topcoated and prior to placing in service;
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the levels of solvent resistance necessary vary with the type of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
coating and the intended service. Rubbing with a cloth satu-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
rated with the appropriate solvent is one way to determine
2. Referenced Documents when a specific level of solvent resistance is reached. However,
the level of solvent resistance by itself does not indicate full
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 cure and some coatings become solvent resistant before they
D235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits) become sufficiently cured for service.
(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
D523 Test Method for Specular Gloss 4.2 The time required to reach a specific level of solvent
D740 Specification for Methyl Ethyl Ketone resistance can be influenced by temperature, film thickness, air
movement and, for water-borne or water-reactive coatings,
humidity.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of 4.3 The test solvent’s effect upon the coating varies with
Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coatings. coating type and solvent used. The coating manufacturer may
Current edition approved June 1, 2019. Published June 2019. Originally specify the solvent, the number of double rubs, and the specific
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D5402 – 15. DOI:
10.1520/D5402-19. test results needed.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM 5. Materials and Equipment
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 5.1 Solvent:

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

1
 D5402 − 19
5.1.1 Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), conforming to Specifi- rubbed area with an adjacent unrubbed area. Gloss and
cation D740, or hardness will tend to return to initial values as the recovery
5.1.2 Mineral Spirits, conforming to Specification D235, or time increases. The following methods may be used to evaluate
5.1.3 Xylene, conforming to Specification D843, or the solvent-rubbed area: gloss may be measured in accordance
5.1.4 Other Solvents, as specified by the coating manufac- with Test Method D523; pencil hardness with Test Method
turer or user. D3363; film thickness of the rubbed area by the same method
5.2 100 % Cotton, Shop Cloth or Cheesecloth. Cheesecloth used in 6.3 (allow up to 24 h for the coating to recover before
is for coil coatings, mesh grade 28 by 24. Approximately 300 measuring film thickness).
by 300 mm (12 by 12 in.) and contrasting in color to the NOTE 2—It may be difficult to measure film thickness and gloss in the
coating being evaluated, or other mutually agreed upon cloth. narrow solvent-rubbed area of the panel.
5.3 Proper Safety Equipment, as determined from the sol- Method B (Coil Coater’s Method)
vent MSDS, for example, solvent resistant gloves, respirator.
6.8 This Method is similar to Method A except with the
6. Procedure following changes:
6.8.1 For testing in a laboratory setting, us a balance to
Method A (Standard Method) check the pressure applied with a finger using the procedure in
6.1 If the testing is being performed in a laboratory setting, 6.1. Note the amount of pressure required to apply 2000 to
before actually testing the specimens, perform a sufficient 3000 g of force. This will be considered to be moderate to
number of double rubs with the index finger covered with a heavy pressure. Use cheesecloth as stated in 5.2.
cotton cloth on a laboratory balance such that 1000 to 2000 g 6.8.2 Use the same procedure as in 6.2 except select an area
of force is constantly being applied. This is the amount of 200 mm (8 in.) long.
pressure the operator will apply when testing the specimens, 6.8.3 Use the same procedure as in 6.3 except mark off an
and will be considered as being moderate pressure. area 200 mm (8 in.) long.
6.2 Select areas on the coated surface at least 100-mm 6.8.4 Use the same procedure in 6.4.
(4-in.) long on which to run the tests. Clean the surface with tap 6.8.5 Use the procedure in 6.5 except rub at the rate of 100
water to remove any loose material and allow to dry. double rubs per min.
6.8.6 Use the procedure in 6.6 except for the following note:
6.3 Measure the dry-film thickness of the coating in the
selected areas in accordance with Test Methods D4138 or NOTE 3—If fatigue sets in, making it difficult to maintain the 2000 to
3000 g force, stop testing until fatigue is gone.
Practice D7091. Mark a 100- by 25-mm (4- by 1-in.) rectan-
gular test area on the undamaged, cleaned surface using a 6.8.7 Use the procedure in 6.7.
pencil or other suitable solvent resistant marker. NOTE 4—It is known that some operators have used cotton swabs or an
6.4 Fold the cotton cloth into a pad of double thickness and object of consistent weight (such as a ball peen hammer) to perform
solvent double rubs. It was determined in an interlaboratory study that
saturate it to a dripping wet condition with the specified these alternative methods produce results that are more variable than
solvent. Do not allow more than 10 s to elapse before results obtained when using either method A or B. The results can be
proceeding to the next steps. found in Appendix X2.
6.5 Place the properly protected index finger into the center
of the pad while holding excess cloth with the thumb and 7. Report
remaining fingers of the same hand. With the index finger at a 7.1 Report, as a minimum, the following information:
45° angle to the test surface, rub the rectangular test area with 7.1.1 Description of cloth used,
moderate pressure first away from the operator and then back 7.1.2 Solvent used,
towards the operator. Use the amount of pressure determined in 7.1.3 Number of double rubs,
6.1. One forward and back motion is one double rub, and 7.1.4 Film thickness before rubbing, and
complete at the rate of approximately 1/s. 7.1.5 If additional measurements are made (gloss, hardness,
6.6 Repeat the double rubs until reaching the specified test etc.) note the time between the completion of the double rubs
criteria, such as, until the substrate becomes visible, or until a and the test.
predetermined number of double rubs has been performed. 7.2 Additional information, such as temperature, humidity,
Ensure that the cloth remains saturated. If it is desirable to weather conditions. Elapsed time between coating applications
change or expose a fresh cloth surface at a specified double rub and conducting the test can affect test results and should be
interval (for example, every 25 double rubs), such a procedure reported whenever possible.
must be agreed upon between producer and user. 7.3 Appendix X2 contains a “Solvent Double Rub Test”
NOTE 1—If multiple specimens are being tested and fatigue sets in
making it difficult to maintain the 1000 to 2000 g force, stop testing (after form that may be helpful in reporting test results.
completing a specimen) until fatigue is gone.
6.7 If the film has not been removed down to the substrate, 8. Keywords
immediately inspect the middle 75 mm (3 in.) of the rubbed 8.1 coating; curing characteristics; double rub method; dry-
area, disregarding 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) at each end, for fingernail ing or curing; paint; recoat time; service time; solvent resis-
hardness and visual changes in appearance, comparing the tance; solvent rub method