ASTM D7377-09(2023)

Standard Practice for Evaluating the Water Wash-Off Resistance of Traffic Paints using a Water Faucet

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 After waterborne traffic paints are applied to a road, airstrip, or parking lot pavement, it is important that the paint films be sufficiently hardened, coalesced, or cured so they will not be removed by rain. This practice can be used to determine the relative performance of binders and other components within traffic paint for their effect on the water-wash off resistance of the coating. Some key elements of the coating that may affect water-wash-off performance are the quality and type of latex binder, the dry time of the coating (often conducted by Test Method D711), pigment volume concentration (PVC), and the relative water sensitivity of additives (for example, pigment dispersants, and surfactants) in the coating.
SCOPE
1.1 A traffic paint film freshly applied to a roadway, air strip, or parking lot may be exposed to rain of varying intensities shortly after application. This practice was designed to determine the relative water wash-off resistance of an applied traffic paint film under controlled laboratory conditions using a water faucet to simulate a heavy rain. This laboratory practice can also be used to compare conventional and fast-dry waterborne traffic paints and the effects of binders and other components in traffic for their relative ability to withstand a heavy rain soon after application.  
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 concerns, 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: 30-Nov-2023
• ICS: 93.080.30 - Road equipment and installations
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.44 - Traffic Coatings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7377-09(2018) - Standard Practice for Evaluating the Water Wash-Off Resistance of Traffic Paints using a Water Faucet
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D7538-09(2023) - Standard Practice for Evaluating the Water Wash-Off Resistance of Traffic Paints Using an Atomizing Spray Device
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D2205-20 - Standard Guide for Selection of Tests for Traffic Paints
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D7539-10(2020) - Standard Practice for Using a Test Chamber for Humidity Conditioning of Test Panels of Pavement Marking Paints
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023

Overview

ASTM D7377-09(2023) - Standard Practice for Evaluating the Water Wash-Off Resistance of Traffic Paints using a Water Faucet provides a laboratory procedure to assess how well traffic paints resist being washed away by water shortly after application. Developed by ASTM International, this standard simulates heavy rainfall using a water faucet, allowing consistent and comparative testing under controlled conditions. The standard is applicable to both conventional and fast-dry waterborne traffic paints, examining critical aspects such as binder quality, pigment concentration, and paint additives that impact water wash-off resistance.

Key Topics

• Water Wash-Off Resistance: The standard determines a traffic paint's ability to resist removal when exposed to water soon after application, reflecting real-world conditions like sudden rainstorms.
• Film Preparation and Testing: Uniform paint films are drawn down on test panels and subjected to drying periods before being exposed to water streams to measure resistance.
• Critical Paint Properties:
  • Binder Type and Quality: Different latex binders affect how quickly and robustly a paint cures.
  • Dry Time Variables: Monitored using related methods such as ASTM D711, dry times are crucial for quick re-opening of roadways.
  • Pigment Volume Concentration (PVC): Impacts the physical structure and thus, the vulnerability to water wash-off.
  • Additive Sensitivity: The selection and formulation of additives like surfactants or dispersants can alter water resistance.
• Conditioning and Measurement: Standardized temperature, humidity, water flow rate, and nozzle distance ensure repeatable and objective comparisons between products.

Applications

The ASTM D7377-09(2023) practice is essential for manufacturers, formulators, and testing laboratories focused on the performance of waterborne traffic paints. Key applications include:

• Product Development and Quality Control: Optimize formulations by evaluating new binders, pigments, and additives for water wash-off resistance.
• Specification Compliance: Ensure paints meet regulatory and performance standards for rapid return-to-service after application in zones susceptible to rain.
• Comparative Testing: Objectively compare conventional and fast-dry traffic paint formulations, supporting the selection of the best-performing product for public roads, airstrips, or parking lots.
• Safety and Durability Assessments: Reduce the risk of traffic markings fading or washing away prematurely, increasing road safety and minimizing costly re-applications.

Related Standards

Several other ASTM standards support the procedures and measurements referenced in ASTM D7377:

• ASTM D711 - Test Method for No-Pick-Up Time of Pavement Markings: Measures dry times for traffic paints, critical for wash-off timing.
• ASTM D562 - Test Method for Consistency of Paints Using a Stormer-Type Viscometer: Evaluates paint viscosity, influencing drying and water resistance.
• ASTM D823 - Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness on Test Panels: Prescribes techniques for drawing down consistent paint films.
• ASTM D1005 - Test Method for Dry-Film Thickness Measurement Using Micrometers: Assures accurate, reproducible dry film thickness determinations.
• ASTM D1212 / D4414 - Test Methods for Measuring Wet Film Thickness: Provides methods for ensuring wet films are applied at specified thicknesses.

Practical Value

By following ASTM D7377-09(2023), users can improve the water resistance and overall durability of pavement markings, benefiting transportation agencies, contractors, and the public. This standardized approach ensures accurate simulation of wet weather events, enhances paint evaluation processes, and promotes safer, longer-lasting road markings. Adopting these practices helps ensure compliance with international best practices and trade requirements for traffic paint performance and safety.

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: D7377 − 09 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Evaluating the Water Wash-Off Resistance of Traffic Paints
using a Water Faucet
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7377; 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.
1. Scope D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness
of Paint, Coatings and Related Products on Test Panels
1.1 A traffic paint film freshly applied to a roadway, air strip,
D1005 Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thick-
or parking lot may be exposed to rain of varying intensities
ness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers
shortly after application. This practice was designed to deter-
D1212 Test Methods for Measurement of Wet Film Thick-
mine the relative water wash-off resistance of an applied traffic
ness of Organic Coatings
paint film under controlled laboratory conditions using a water
D4414 Practice for Measurement of Wet Film Thickness by
faucet to simulate a heavy rain. This laboratory practice can
Notch Gages
also be used to compare conventional and fast-dry waterborne
traffic paints and the effects of binders and other components in
3. Terminology
traffic for their relative ability to withstand a heavy rain soon
after application. 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 conventional waterborne traffıc paint, n—an aqueous
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
traffic paint that uses a conventional (non-fast-dry) latex
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
binder.
only.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Typical no-pick-up dry times for con-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ventional traffic paints by Test Method D711 are 20 min to 45
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
min. These paints are often used for zone marking of parking
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
lots and garages.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.2 durable fast-dry waterborne traffıc paint, n—an aque-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ous traffic paint that uses a durable fast-dry latex binder.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Air or airless spray application on
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
roadways is typically 0.65 mm (25 mils) wet or about 0.41 mm
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
(16 mils) dry. The range of application for durable waterborne
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
paints is 0.56 mm to 0.89 mm (22 mils to 35 mils) wet, but
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
sometimes durable paints are striped at standard line thickness.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Typical no-pick-up dry times by Test Method D711 for durable
2. Referenced Documents
paints applied at standard line thickness are 5 min to 8 min.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.3 effective water wash-off dry time, n—the traffic paint
D562 Test Method for Consistency of Paints Measuring
dry time required for no visible loss of coating when conduct-
Krebs Unit (KU) Viscosity Using a Stormer-Type Viscom-
ing the water wash-off Standard Practice.
eter
3.1.4 fast-dry waterborne traffıc paint, n—an aqueous traffic
D711 Test Method for No-Pick-Up Time of Pavement Mark-
paint that uses a fast-dry traffic latex binder.
ings
3.1.4.1 Discussion—These paints are sometimes also re-
ferred to as fast-hardening since they still may contain a
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
substantial amount of moisture even though they feel dry.
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.44 on Traffic Coatings.
Typical no-pick-up dry times by Test Method D711 for fast-dry
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. Originally
traffic paints are <10 min.
approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D7377 – 09 (2018).
DOI: 10.1520/D7377-09R23.
3.1.5 standard line fast-dry waterborne traffıc paint, n—an
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
aqueous traffic paint that uses a standard fast-dry latex binder.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.1.5.1 Discussion—Air or airless spray application on
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. roadways is typically 0.38 mm (15 mils) wet or about .223 mm
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7377 − 09 (2023)
(9 mils) dry. Typical no-pick-up dry times for standard line 6.10 Film Applicator (15 cm (6 in.)) width, to obtain 0.38
traffic paints by Test Method D711 are 5 min to 8 min. mm (15 mil) wet thickness for standard traffic paints or 0.64
mm (25 mil) wet thickness for durable traffic paints.
3.1.6 waterborne traffıc paint, n—an aqueous traffic paint
(usually white or yellow) containing either a conventional or 6.11 Wet Film Gauge, to measure wet film thickness.
fast-dry latex binder.
6.12 Sink with combined hot and cold tap water faucet, to
3.1.7 water wash-off resistance, n—the resistance of a traffic apply water stream onto test panel film during the water
wash-off testing.
paint line to partial or complete wash-out during a rain.
6.13 Lab Jack, to support the applied paint film, and to
4. Summary of Practice
control distance from the water nozzle.
4.1 This standard practice involves preparing a series of
6.14 Timer, to time the film-drying and the water wash-off
uniform thickness films of traffic paint on standard substrates.
periods.
The films are allowed to dry over different time periods, and
6.15 Camera, to record the image of the panel after comple-
then each paint film is subsequently tested with the water-
tion of the test.
wash-off test to determine the relative amount of coating
remaining at the end of the wash off period.
7. Reagents
7.1 Tap Water (Cold)—applied to the film preferably with a
5. Significance and Use
standard nozzle, at controlled flow rate, controlled water
5.1 After waterborne traffic paints are applied to a road,
temperature, and constant distance from the test paint films.
airstrip, or parking lot pavement, it is important that the paint
7.2 Acetone—to clean glass plates prior to application (not
films be sufficiently hardened, coalesced, or cured so they will
needed for draw-down charts since they are not reused).
not be removed by rain. This practice can be used to determine
the relative performance of binders and other components
8. Procedure
within traffic paint for their effect on the water-wash off
8.1 Paint Consistency:
resistance of the coating. Some key elements of the coating that
8.1.1 Determine the Krebs (KU) viscosity of the paint in
may affect water-wash-off performance are the quality and type
accordance with Test Method D562 using a paddle-type
of latex binder, the dry time of the coating (often conducted by
viscometer as prescribed by Test Method D562. This determi-
Test Method D711), pigment volume concentration (PVC), and
nation is optional but can be important since the dry time of th
...