ASTM D2369 Volatile Content of Coatings

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Overview
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Test Process
Specifications
Instrumentation
Results and Deliverables

Overview

ASTM D2369 describes a standardised gravimetric method for determining the volatile content of coating materials, including paints, lacquers, varnishes, and related products. Volatile content represents the fraction of the coating that evaporates during application and drying, and is directly related to the coating’s VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions, solid content, and film-build characteristics.

The test involves weighing a small specimen of the coating on a flat metal panel or aluminium foil, heating it in a forced-draft oven at the specified temperature and duration, and measuring the mass loss. The percent volatile content is calculated from the initial and final masses. This data is critical for regulatory compliance, product formulation, and predicting coating performance.

Scope, Applications, and Benefits

Scope

ASTM D2369 evaluates:

Percent volatile content of liquid coating materials
Volatile organic compound (VOC) related data
Non-volatile (solid) content by weight
Effect of baking temperature on volatile loss
Batch-to-batch consistency of coating formulations
Compliance with VOC regulatory limits

Applications

Architectural and industrial coatings
Automotive OEM and refinish coatings
Marine and protective coatings
Powder coating formulation development
Wood and furniture finishes
Regulatory compliance testing
Quality control in paint manufacturing

Benefits

Provides data for VOC emission compliance
Verifies coating solid content for film-build calculations
Enables formulation optimization
Supports comparison across coating product lines
Detects batch deviations in volatile content
Aids in predicting coating application performance

Test Process

Sample Preparation

A weighed coating specimen is spread uniformly on a substrate.

Oven Curing

The coated substrate is placed in a forced-draft oven at the specified temperature for the prescribed time.

Mass Measurement

Initial and final masses are recorded after cooling in a desiccator.

Calculation

Percent volatile content and percent non-volatile content are calculated.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Details
Applicable Materials	Solvent borne and waterborne coatings
Specimen Types	Liquid paint / coating samples
Standard Temperature	110 ± 5°C
Heating Time	60 minutes
Test Environment	Controlled oven and ambient laboratory conditions

Instrumentation Used for Testing

Forced-draft oven with temperature control
Analytical balance (0.1 mg resolution)
Aluminium foil panels or metal substrates
Desiccator
Thermometer or thermocouple
Data recording system

Results and Deliverables

Percent volatile content per specimen
Percent non-volatile (solid) content
Average and standard deviation of results
Quality assurance reports
Batch-to-batch comparison data

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