How to Conduct a Washability Test with the Elcometer 1720 Abrasion and Washability Tester

Over time every product you use can naturally fade, loose colour, peel, or even ware out. In fact, almost everything around you will go through a durability cycle, some being longer, some being shorter.

It is a crucial requirement that manufacturers test their product’s ability to resist ware in order to guarantee a long lifespan and good quality for their product. For example, you wouldn’t want the gloss finish on your car to rub off after taking it to the car wash, or the non-stick coating on your pan to ware out after cleaning it.

This is why manufacturers conduct washability tests on either the product itself, a sample of the material, or a coating used on the product – these tests are vital for ensuring a material or coating can withstand its intended use and desired lifespan within a wet environment.

The Elcometer 1720 Abrasion and Washability Tester has the ability to condense a products lifespan to a much shorter duration within a controlled and monitored environment in a manner that is consistent, repeatable, and reproducible, and not possible by hand.

To conduct a washability test using the Elcometer 1720, simply lift up the carriage to remove the tray, then use the provided tools to adjust the stroke length to your desired length. Then place the tray back onto the tester, and place insert the materials being tested into the tray, securing them tightly with the provided gasket frames. Add your desired liquid into the container ensuring the intake tube is pushed to the bottom of the container. Then connect the other end of the intake tube to the blue connector at the left side of the tester.

Next, connect the drainpipes to the waste tubes also at the left side of the tester, placing the other opposite ends into a container suitable for liquid waste. Purge the air from the liquid delivery pipes using the provided screwdriver, waiting until there are no more air bubbles left in the pipes. Adjust the liquid flow rate by loosening and tightening opening and adjusting all of the flow control valves, working back to front until the required drip rate is achieved. Input the speed and defined number of cycles using the simple easy to use buttons and dial.

The selected tool, or tools, are then placed into the carriage, and the start button is pressed and the test begins. Once the cycle is completed the materials being tested are removed and inspected for abrasion.

Results can be determined visually by checking for signs of abrasion or faded coatings, but properties such as weight, gloss, and coating thickness can also be tested for more quantitative, comparable results.

To find out more about the Elcometer 1720 Abrasion and Washability Tester, simply visit
elcometer.com or contact Elcometer at [email protected]

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Standards:
AS/NZS 1580.459.1, ASTM D 2486, ASTM D 3450, ASTM D 4213, ASTM D 4488, ASTM D 4828, ASTM F 1319, DIN 53778-2:1983, ECCA T11, EN 13523-11, EN 233/C3.2-A, EN 233/C3.2-B, EN 233/C3.2-C, EN 60730-1-A, GME 60269, ISO 105-X12, ISO 11998, JIS K 5600-5-11, PSA D45 1010, ASTM D1792 - 06, ASTM D2198 -02, ASTM D3206 - 08, ASTM D6279 - 03(2007), MIL-C-3004, MIL-C-46057, MIL-E-11237, MIL-STD-1334B, MIL-P-15422C, FTMS 141, Method 6141, FTMS 141, Method 6142, FTMS Method 536/6701, Federal Specification P-D-220D, P-R-1760, P-W-155C, TT-P-26C(1), TT-P-29K, TT-P-30E(1), TT-P-47G, TT-E-505B, TT-E-506K(1), TT-E-509C, TT-C-535B(2), TT-C-555B(1)