Expert: Labman - 11/16/2004

Question
Dear Sir,

I read about mixing different resins together to see how compatible they are. We've also applied them on a glass plate to see how they dry. I want to include this test and the results in a report, but I need a better reference than the textbook (want to make sure everything is done right). Are there any general/industry standards for this test ? any references to ISO, ASTM ? Thank you very much.

Stephen

Answer
This was a standard test in the paint industry when I was working there.  Many times I have held a glass plate up to the light, tilting it to pick up the slightest haze in the dried film.  We would use a doctor blade to apply a 1.5 mil film of resin solution to a 4'' x 10'' glass plate.  Once dry, we would check the film.  We would keep the plates for weeks or months, because sometimes it took resins that long to come out of solution with each other.  I was trained to do this by my supervisor and coworker.  I do not remember any reference to an ASTM or other standard for the test.  It is a fairly simple test.  Usually resins were blended 50/50 as the worst case or at the ratio they might be used at.  The application and cure were matched to that of intended use.  Other than that, I do not remember other precautions.  You might go through the bibliography in your text book looking for likely references to more on the test.