All posts by Paul Edwards

AWL Ltd are pleased to be helping various UK companies with paint plants moving toward emission compliant all-electric curing ovens to replace outdated gas fired ovens. When a major change in a painting or coating process occurs (such as modified oven curing), previously validated paint systems must be re-validated for corrosion protection and other properties such as adhesion, hardness and wear resistance. Some of the UKAS accredited test methods available at AWL required for re-validation of paint systems include ISO 9227, ASTM B117, ASTM G85, ISO 12944 for corrosion performance and ISO 7784-2 or ASTM D4060 rotary Taber abrasion testing.

Our laboratory based in Calne, Wiltshire is pleased to be providing the BBA with paint coating Taber abrasion wear resistance data for protective and aesthetic coatings used within the construction industry to ensure they are fit for purpose.

The British Board of Agrément (BBA) drives industry safety by providing services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk. Since 1966, the BBA has built its position as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries.

We are pleased to be helping Chemicals Ltd choose the best performing wood protective coatings for a variety of colours and formulations after UV weathering resistance testing according to EN 927-6. This narrowband UV test has a physical water spray function (rain cycle) within its test profile designed to induce thermal shock and to remove UV affected degraded coating as the exposure period progresses. EN927-6 is also used primarily as the ‘pre-fire testing’ process to establish whether coatings remain fire-retardant after UVA simulated solar radiation is applied.

UV weathered ‘red’ fence

We are pleased to be helping Tadley Precision Engineering Ltd establish Taber abrasion wear index values for paint systems. Taber wear index (TWI) is used to quantify and qualify abrasive wear performance for various types of coating based on a material mass-loss (mg) principal at 1000 cycles of a rotary Taber abrasion tester using specific grade abrasive wheels and applied loads.

We are pleased to be helping SPI Performance Coatings Ltd confirm the high durability of their Polyurea coatings using ISO 12944 parts 6 and 9 environmental conditioning test methods.

Polyurea is a fast-drying elastomer that, given the correct surface preparation, can offer superior quick-return-to-service protection for concrete and steel assets. Applied as a water-based plural component spray, polyurea technologies are VOC and toxin-free and offer outstanding resistance against many forms of natural and chemical corrosion, industrial-grade abrasion, and impact damage.

We are pleased to be helping Rotork Controls confirm CX quality paint system durability for their off shore painted installations.

AWL are pleased to be helping a number of clients with clause 4.1.6.4 of BS EN ISO 12402-7:2020. This clause requires accelerated weathering conditioning to an energy absorption at the sample surface of 500kJ/m2 using daylight filtered xenon arc exposures.

Typical samples are life nets, life jacket fabrics, zippers, marine webbing, stitching threads, ropes and associated polymeric loops and brackets. The exposure profile is multi-cyclic consisting of light and dark periods with controlled humidity and long segments of water spraying and drying in the light and dark phases.

BS EN ISO 12402-7:2020 stipulates the detailed safety requirements for life-saving personal flotation systems and devices. It covers a wide range of materials and components ensuring that each element of the flotation device is scrutinised for safety, durability and effectiveness with low risk of failure.

The standard is often chosen in conjunction with BS EN ISO 9227 where exposures to salt laden atmospheres may be required to confirm corrosion durability to ensure safety. Typical examples are suspected low-grade stainless-steel loops, brackets and fixings (nuts, bolts, washers’ screws etc..).

Material conformance to both of these standards are used by due-diligent manufacturers and regulatory bodies who are committed to maintaining the highest standards for water safety equipment both on and offshore.

We are pleased to be helping Brunel University Technology Centre (Constellium) by corrosion conditioning various adhesives and high strength crushable aluminium alloys using one of the many VDA cyclic corrosion tests available at AWL.

Constellium’s University Technology Centre (UTC), located at Brunel University London, is a centre of excellence for the design, development, and prototyping of aluminium extrusions and automotive components such as Crash Management Systems, body structure components, and battery enclosures for electric vehicles.

Again, we are pleased to be helping Jepson & Co confirm BSAU145e:2018 conformance for a range of Aluminium backed number plate constructions.

BSAU145e:2018 is one of the strictest quality compliance standards in Europe and it’s all about lasting quality and effective ANPR capture.

It is estimated that more than 1 million number plates are misread every day due to the large number of non-conforming plates still out there, and since Sept 2021 it is illegal to be non-compliment.

Extensive testing using facilities at AWL and LUX-TSI ensures Jepson & Co number plates and plate components are compliant, including the new highly specific and scientific tests for abrasion and contrast ratio for the character and reflective.

Jepson & Co are the oldest number plate manufacturer in the UK, established in 1894, and still remain a family-run business serving customers across the UK and Europe.