 Paint
quality control
Quality control procedures take place throughout the entire paint
manufacturing process. Incoming raw materials are tested for compliance
to established standards; batches of paint are tested for properties
such as temperature and fineness of grind; and then a final series
of quality control tests is performed on the finished product.
Quality control procedures consist of a series of fairly quick tests designed to ensure that the product produced is to the manufacturer's formulation. Since long term testing is not practical for each batch, these shorter tests are designed to assure that the properties of the batch are similar to the properties of the original formulation, which underwent long- term and elaborate testing as part of the development process.
The types of tests used vary with the type of coating produced and its intended use. Typical tests include:
- Viscosity
- Weight per gallon (or specific gravity)
- Drying (or curing properties)
- Gloss level
- Fineness of grind
- pH (for waterborne paints)
- Defoaming (primarily for waterborne paints)
- Color acceptance (primarily for waterborne paints)
- Hiding/Appearance
Where a product does not meet the requirements of the quality control ranges or levels, adjustments are made to the coating, and it is re-tested. Where a product fails but cannot be adjusted, generally the QC personnel will try to identify the cause, and then direct the failed product into a recycling or waste stream. |
