Standardization News

When applying coatings, paint brushes can shed filling material onto the coated surface. A new ASTM International standard describes a procedure for testing the shedding properties of both natural bristle and synthetic filament paint brushes.

D7834, Test Method for Filling Material Shedding of Paint Brushes, has been developed by Subcommittee D01.61 on Paint Application Tools, part of ASTM International Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications.

"This is not the only metric to evaluate paint brush quality, but it is a piece to help minimize human bias," says Gary DeCarr, leader and research and development engineer, Newell Rubbermaid, and a D01 member. "It is an industry-accepted standardized test using a dimensionally defined comb repeatedly combed through the filaments of a brush. Observing any filaments that pulled, or fall out of the brush head, helps project the quality and durability of the brush."

DeCarr says that the standard will be useful to paint brush manufacturers and retailers as well as paint brush quality control departments and paint applicator engineers.

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CONTACT Technical Information: Gary DeCarr, Newell Rubbermaid • Huntersville, N.C. • Phone: 704-987-4462 | ASTM Staff: Jeffrey Adkins • Phone: 610-832-9738 | Upcoming Meeting: June 23-25 • June Committee Week • Jacksonville, Fla.