ASTM D279-02(2023)

Standard Test Methods for Bleeding of Pigments

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Test Method A determines the amount of color produced when the pigment is in direct contact with a selected solvent such as toluene. It is useful as a rapid, easily conducted test of the general bleeding characteristics of pigments.  
4.2 Test Method B determines the amount of color migration into a white film applied over a base coat containing the pigment. It may give a more practical evaluation of whether a pigment will meet specific requirements for bleed resistance.  
4.3 Both Test Method A and Test Method B measure the extent of bleed.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining the bleeding characteristics of dry pigments by direct solvent extraction of the pigment and by overstriping a film with a white coating and observing for the color migration from the base coat containing the pigment.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2023
• ICS: 87.060.10 - Pigments and extenders
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.31 - Pigment Specifications

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D2616-19 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Difference With a Gray Scale
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM D2244-15a - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Refers: ASTM D2244-15e1 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015
• Refers: ASTM D2244-15 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015
• Refers: ASTM D2244-14 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM D2616-12 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Difference With a Gray Scale
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM D2244-11 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D2244-09a - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2009
• Refers: ASTM D2244-09 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Refers: ASTM D2244-07 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-May-2007
• Refers: ASTM D2244-07e1 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-May-2007
• Refers: ASTM D2244-05 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2005
• Refers: ASTM D2616-96(2003) - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Difference With a Gray Scale (Withdrawn 2012)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Refers: ASTM D2244-02e1 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Refers: ASTM D2244-02 - Standard Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002

Overview

ASTM D279-02(2023), titled "Standard Test Methods for Bleeding of Pigments," provides established procedures for evaluating the bleeding characteristics of dry pigments used in coatings and other applications. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is vital for ensuring pigment performance in situations where bleed resistance is necessary. The test methods outlined enable rapid, reproducible assessments of pigment bleeding-either from direct solvent contact or through observation of color migration in coated systems.

Key Topics

• Bleeding of Pigments: The standard covers two main test methods to determine pigment bleeding, which refers to the unwanted migration of pigment color into adjacent materials or layers.
• Test Method A – Direct Solvent Contact: In this method, pigment is exposed directly to a solvent (commonly toluene) to quantify the amount of color that bleeds into the solvent. This is a quick, straightforward indicator of general bleeding tendencies.
• Test Method B – White Overstripe of a Pigmented Film: Here, a colored base coat containing the pigment is overcoated with a white film. Observing color migration into the white layer offers a more practical assessment of bleed resistance in real-world applications.
• Visual and Instrumental Assessment: The extent of bleeding is visually rated as none, slight, moderate, or severe, and can be quantitatively measured using color difference methods per ASTM D2244.

Applications

ASTM D279-02(2023) is widely utilized across industries where pigment stability and color integrity are critical, such as:

• Paints and Coatings: Manufacturers assess the suitability of pigments for architectural, automotive, and industrial coatings to prevent color migration that could impact appearance and product quality.
• Inks and Plastics: Ensures that pigments do not bleed into adjacent materials, maintaining sharp definition in printed or molded products.
• Quality Control and Research: Provides a standardized approach for pigment producers, formulators, and end-users to verify and compare bleed resistance among pigment batches or suppliers.
• Specification Compliance: Helps purchasers, specifiers, and regulatory bodies determine if pigment materials meet required bleed resistance standards for specific applications.

Using these ASTM test methods enables companies to:

• Identify pigments with adequate bleed resistance for demanding environments
• Avoid defects caused by color migration
• Document compliance with customer or regulatory requirements
• Streamline development and qualification of new pigment products

Related Standards

For comprehensive pigment evaluation, additional ASTM standards are commonly referenced alongside ASTM D279-02(2023):

• ASTM D2244 – Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
• ASTM D2616 – Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Difference with a Gray Scale

These companion standards support accurate color measurement and visual assessment, ensuring robust evaluation of pigment bleeding in line with international best practices.

Keywords: bleeding of pigments, pigment bleeding test, color migration, overstripe, ASTM D279, pigment bleed resistance, pigment evaluation, coating test methods

By adhering to ASTM D279-02(2023), organizations benefit from reliable, standardized techniques to assess and compare the bleeding behavior of pigments in various solvent and coating systems, supporting high-quality results across coatings, plastics, inks, and related industries.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D279 − 02 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Methods for
Bleeding of Pigments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D279; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.2 Test Method B—A coating using the pigment under test
is prepared and applied to one half of a panel. A white finish is
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining
applied over the dried colored coating and extended to the
the bleeding characteristics of dry pigments by direct solvent
uncoated portion of the panel. The dried overstripe coating is
extraction of the pigment and by overstriping a film with a
examined for color migration from the base coat.
white coating and observing for the color migration from the
base coat containing the pigment.
4. Significance and Use
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
4.1 Test Method A determines the amount of color produced
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
when the pigment is in direct contact with a selected solvent
only.
such as toluene. It is useful as a rapid, easily conducted test of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the general bleeding characteristics of pigments.
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 Test Method B determines the amount of color migra-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tion into a white film applied over a base coat containing the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
pigment. It may give a more practical evaluation of whether a
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
pigment will meet specific requirements for bleed resistance.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.3 Both Test Method A and Test Method B measure the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
extent of bleed.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
TEST METHOD A, DIRECT SOLVENT CONTACT
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
WITH PIGMENT
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Procedure
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Place 0.50 g of pigment (Note 1) in a test tube or vial
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and add 20 mL of reagent grade toluene (Note 2). Close with a
D2244 Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and
stopper, shake well for 10 s, and let stand 15 min. Repeat the
Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color
10 s shake and let stand 45 min.
Coordinates
NOTE 1—Additional amounts of pigment may be used by prior
D2616 Test Method for Evaluation of Visual Color Differ-
agreement for denser inorganic pigments. A maximum of 1.5 g is
ence With a Gray Scale
recommended for even the dense lead chromate pigments.
NOTE 2—Other solvents may be used, by mutual agreement between the
3. Summary of Test Methods
parties involved, in place of toluene in a specific pigment bleed evaluation.
3.1 Test Method A—The pigment is shaken with toluene,
5.2 Filter through a glass funnel using double filter paper
filtered, and the filtrate observed for color.
that has first been wet with toluene and collect approximately
10 mL of filtrate in a 23 mm outer diameter flat bottom vial. If
the filtrate is cloudy, refilter to get a clear filtrate.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct
NOTE 3—In the case of colloidal particles, it may be necessary to
responsibility of Subcommittee D01.31 on Pigment Specifications.
centrifuge the filtrate.
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Publi
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