Bodycote Testing Group offers a comprehensive range of services for the testing of wet paints and assessment of coatings - both organic and inorganic.
Services Offered by Bodycote Testing Group for the Coatings Industry

Bodycote Testing Group offer the following services:

· Coatings Failure and Defect Assessments

· Consultation on research and development for new formulations

· Specification Testing

· Third Party Certification
Testing Procedures Offered by Bodycote Testing Group for the Coatings Industry

Testing procedures offered by Bodycote Testing Group include:

· Environmental exposure and immersion testing

· Cathodic disbondment and related tests

· Artificial weathering

· Natural weathering

· Mechanical and physical testing:-

· Wet and dry film tests,

· Abrasion, adhesion, impact, thermal cycling,

· Holiday detection, film thickness,

· Thermal stability, gravel and stone abrasion

Environmental Exposure and Immersion Testing

The degree of effectiveness of a coating system can vary significantly with minor variations in the environment to which it is exposed. In many instances, it is not possible to predict the performance of a coating, in a given environment. The only way to assess the performance of a coating is to reproduce the service environment on a laboratory or pilot scale. We are able to vary UV, moisture, salinity, temperature, H2S, SO2, chlorides and many other specific conditions in order to assess the effectiveness of a given coating.
Cathodic Disbondment and Related Tests

With coatings on steel structures, which are subject to Cathodic Protection, there is a concern that hydrogen can be generated at minor defects in the coating system. The effect of hydrogen evolution and local pH conditions can be Disbondment / Corrosion failure of the system. Disbondment Tests and the associated Adhesion Tests are carried out on samples to mitigate such failure in later service.
Artificial and Natural Weathering

The ability of a coating to retain its properties during atmospheric exposure is often critical from a performance and / or aesthetic viewpoint. Bodycote Testing Group has extensive facilities to test and reproduce various weathering regimes in order to test components and samples for future service performance.
Mechanical Testing

The eventual performance of a coating in service depends on the intrinsic properties and the quality of application of the system. Many defects result from forces applied during manufacture, handling, transport and installation. Coatings must be able to resist such effects and maintain their integrity. In order to confirm integrity, the following tests are often carried out:

· Wet and dry film tests; film thickness, viscosity, hiding power

· Abrasion, scratch, hardness tests

· Adhesion, tensile, peel, impact, flexibility tests

· Thermal stability, thermal shock, thermal conditioning

· Thermal cycling

· Gravel and stone erosion

· Holiday detection
Coating Failures and Defect Assessment

We regularly carry out assessments of failed systems offering an independent opinion and dispute resolution between parties.

One of the primary concerns about coatings is the integrity of the coating system when applied. Bodycote Testing Group regularly test, assess and make recommendations concerning coatings, defects and the “fitness for purpose”.
Consultancy Services

The wide range of experience, in the various coating sectors, of our staff is readily available on a Consultancy basis offering guide formulation for new product developments, sourcing raw materials, and giving advice from conception to implementation.
Specification Testing

Being a well equipped UKAS accredited laboratory, we can offer specification testing either as a one off or ongoing quality control check, help in research and development or as an independent consultant for a third party. Bodycote Testing Group regularly perform test against individual parts of specifications.
Third Party Certification

We can on behalf of a third party looking to introduce either a new product or supplier, test against a complete specification and supply a certificate stating compliance to said specification Bodycote Testing Group have performed tests on behalf of the Highways agency, Railtrack and many original equipment manufactures