Significance and Use
5.1 The test method is to be used to determine the abrasion resistance or mechanical durability of thin omniphobic or thin hydrophobic coatings. These coatings are often used to enhance the surface’s value by promoting fingerprint resistance, water removal, stain resistance, and easy-clean properties. A comparison of the contact angle and the depreciation of that contact angle due to exposure to mechanical abrasion determines the coating’s ability to remain effective after exposure to environmental abrasion.
5.1.1 The test method is used to appraise the removal of thin films when gravimetric measurements will not yield a detectable change in film mass due to the small amount of material comprising these films, which are on the order of nanometers thick.
5.1.2 Only fully cured specimens are evaluated unless otherwise specified and agreed upon by the interested parties.
5.2 Different coating materials may be evaluated for relative durability by evaluating abrasion cycles versus water contact angle using this method.
5.3 Different curing or conditioning methods may be evaluated by preparing test specimens with the same coating and then evaluating abrasion resistance using this method.
Scope
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for evaluating dry abrasion resistance of a thin hydrophobic or omniphobic coating, or both. The coating is typically less than 100 nm thick and is applied to a planar, glass substrate by application methods including, but not limited to, physical vapor deposition (PVD), dip, or spray.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard with the exception of angular measurement which are reported in degrees.
NOTE 1: This test method measures a static contact angle and is not equivalent to Test Method C813 which measures an advancing contact angle.
NOTE 2: Test Method D4060 is not applicable to hydrophobic and omniphobic coatings because the molecular monolayer does not generally result in a detectable weight change to the specimen after subjecting it to abrasion.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
