Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluating sag resistance with a multinotched applicator: correlation with surface flow measurements and practical recommendations

  • Published:
Journal of Coatings Technology and Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sag is a coating defect that results from excessive, gravity-driven flow after deposition. Accordingly, characterizing resistance to sag is critically important. In this paper, sag resistance predicted using a multinotched applicator test is compared with results obtained using an in situ particle tracking technique that measures surface velocity. Four commercial latex paints dried on substrates inclined at three angles were investigated. The results are used to provide insight into the strengths and limitations of using a multinotched applicator to evaluate sag resistance. For coatings dried on vertical surfaces (90°), the suggested condition for the multinotched applicator, sag lengths found by particle tracking show differences between paints that the multinotched applicator ranked as identical. At smaller angles (e.g., 10°), the resolution of the multinotched applicator test is greatly enhanced owing to a reduction in the shear stress difference between adjacent coated lines. Based on these results, specific recommendations are made for successfully employing a multinotched applicator to evaluate sag resistance based on user-specific goals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Patton, T, Paint Flow and Pigment Dispersion, 2nd ed., pp. 98–107, 553–563, 581–584. Wiley, New York (1964)

  2. Wicks Jr., ZW, Jones, FN, Pappas, SP, Wicks, DA, “Film Defects.” In: Organic Coatings: Science and Technology, p. 498. Wiley, Hoboken, (2006)

  3. Schwartz, LW, Eley, RR, “Flow of Architectural Coatings on Complex Surfaces; Theory and Experiment.” J. Eng. Math, 43 153–171 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Troian, SM, Herbolzheimer, E, Safran, SA, Joanny, JF, “Fingering Instabilities of Driven Spreading Films.” Europhys. Lett., 10 25–30 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Croll, SG, Kisha, LW, “Observations of Sagging in Architectural Paints.” Prog. Org. Coat., 20 27–52 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Gutoff, E, Cohen, E, Coating and Drying Defects: Troubleshooting Operating Problems, 2nd ed., pp. 94–95, 107. Wiley, Hoboken (2006)

  7. Overdiep, WS, “The Effect of a Reduced Solvent Content of Solventborne Solution Paints on Film Formation.” Prog. Org. Coat., 14 1–21 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Colclough, M, Smith, NDP, Wright, TA, “A Low Shear Viscometer: An Instrument for Measuring Flow and Sag Resistance in Coatings.” J. Oil Col. Chem. Assoc., 63 183–193 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Wu, S, “Rheology of High Solid Coatings. I. Analysis of Sagging and Slumping.” J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 22 2769–2782 (1978)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Frisch, HL, Scopazzi, C, “Sag Equation for Coatings on Rotating Substrates.” J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 43 1067–1070 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Bosma, M, Brinkhuis, R, Coopmans, J, Reuvers, B, “The Role of Sag Control Agents in Optimizing the Sag/Leveling Balance and a New Powerful Tool to Study This.” Prog. Org. Coat., 55 97–104 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Bosma, M, Brinkhuis, R, Rensen, E, Watson, R, “A New Method for the Quantitative Determination and Prediction of Sag and Levelling in Powder Coatings.” Prog. Org. Coat., 72 26–33 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Song, J-O, “In Situ Characterization of Dynamic Structures of Coatings.” Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis (2012)

  14. Lade Jr., RK, Song, J-O, Musliner, AD, Williams, BA, Kumar, S, Macosko, CW, Francis, LF, “Sag in Drying Coatings: Prediction and Real Time Measurement with Particle Tracking.” Submitted to Prog. Org. Coat., 86 49–58 (2015)

  15. Patton, T, “A Simple Pigment-Settling Gage and A Simple Anti-Sag Test.” Off. Dig. Fed. Paint Varn. Prod. Clubs, 29 10–25 (1957)

  16. Hancock, HE, “Description and Evaluation of the Kansas City Club Sag Tester.” Off. Dig. Fed. Paint Varn. Prod. Clubs, 29 1086–1093 (1957)

  17. Reynolds, W, Larson, E, “New Tool for Evaluating Sagging of Paint.” Paint Varn. Prod., 48 31–34 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Schaeffer, L, “Design of an Improved Sag Tester.” Off. Dig. Fed. Soc. Paint Technol., 34 1110–1123 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Leneta Co. Catalog No. 6—Revised, “Test Charts & Test Equipment for the Paint and Coatings Industry,” Leneta Co., Mahwah, p. 35 (2014)

  20. ASTM Standard D4400—99(2012)e1, 2012, “Standard Test Method for Sag Resistance of Paints Using a Multinotch Applicator,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, DOI: 10.1520/D440-00R12E01, www.astm.org (2012)

  21. Miller, DG, Moll, WF, Taylor, VW, “Rheology Control of High Solids Coatings.” Based on a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, Washington, (1982)

  22. Schaeffer, L, “Interlaboratory Study to Establish Precision Statements for ASTM D4400-99(2007) Standard Test Method for Sag Resistance of Paints Using a Multinotch Applicator.” (1984)

  23. Khan, SA, Schnepper, CA, Armstrong, RC, “Foam Rheology: III. Measurement of Shear Flow Properties.” J. Rheol., 32 69–92 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Sbalzarini, IF, Koumoutsakos, P, “Feature Point Tracking and Trajectory Analysis for Video Imaging in Cell Biology.” J. Struct. Biol., 151 182–195 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Sullivan, T, Middleman, S, “Film Thickness in Blade Coating of Viscous and Viscoelastic Liquids.” J. NonNewton. Fluid Mech., 21 13–38 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the industrial supporters of the Coating Process Fundamentals Program (CPFP) of the Industrial Partnership for Research in Interfacial and Materials Engineering (IPRIME) for supporting this research. The authors extend their gratitude to Keith Kirkwood at The Valspar Corporation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for providing an Anti-Sag Meter and for insightful discussions regarding its use. The authors would also like to thank Wieslaw Suszynski for designing the inclined drying stage and for many helpful discussions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Robert K. Lade Jr., Austin D. Musliner, Christopher W. Macosko & Lorraine F. Francis

Authors
  1. Robert K. Lade Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Austin D. Musliner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Christopher W. Macosko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lorraine F. Francis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lorraine F. Francis.

Additional information

This paper was presented at the 17th International Coating Science and Technology Symposium, September 7–10, 2014, in San Diego, CA (USA).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lade, R.K., Musliner, A.D., Macosko, C.W. et al. Evaluating sag resistance with a multinotched applicator: correlation with surface flow measurements and practical recommendations. J Coat Technol Res 12, 809–817 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-015-9680-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-015-9680-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation