ASTM D1331-20

Standard Test Methods for Surface and Interfacial Tension of Solutions of Paints, Solvents, Solutions of Surface-Active Agents, and Related Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These methods provide data that are useful in evaluating the effectiveness of surface active agents in reducing surface tension. In addition, surface tension data can predict interactions between liquids and solid surfaces or other liquids and can be used to establish wetting properties of paints, solvents, and other liquids.  
5.2 A number of laboratories have found the Wilhelmy plate to be easier to use, easier to clean and generally better for use with pigmented paints.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of surface tension and interfacial tension of a variety of liquid materials, including but not restricted to paints, solvents, and solutions of surface-active agents, as defined in Terminology D459. Four methods are covered as follows:
Method A—Surface Tension by du Noüy ring;
Method B—Interfacial Tension by du Noüy ring;
Method C—Surface Tension by Wilhelmy plate; and
Method D—Interfacial Tension by Wilhelmy plate.  
1.2 Method A originally was written primarily to cover aqueous solutions of surface-active agents, but is also applicable to aqueous paints, nonaqueous solutions (including paints) and mixed solvent solutions.  
1.3 Method B is applicable to two-phase solutions. More than one solute component may be present, including solute components that are not in themselves surface-active.  
1.4 Method C is applicable to surface active liquids and, unlike du Noüy ring, no buoyancy corrections are needed and results are not affected by moderate viscosities (1-10 Pa-sec) of the liquid. It is the recommended method for use with paints and resin solutions.  
1.5 Method D is applicable to two-phase solutions and mixtures.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.7 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. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.  
1.8 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-2020
• ICS: 71.100.40 - Surface active agents
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.24 - Physical Properties of Liquid Paints & Paint Materials

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: D1331 − 20
Standard Test Methods for
Surface and Interfacial Tension of Solutions of Paints,
Solvents, Solutions of Surface-Active Agents, and Related
1
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1331; 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 Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and
materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of surface
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
tension and interfacial tension of a variety of liquid materials,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
including but not restricted to paints, solvents, and solutions of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
surface-active agents, as defined in Terminology D459. Four
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
methods are covered as follows:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Method A—Surface Tension by du Noüy ring;
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Method B—Interfacial Tension by du Noüy ring;
Method C—Surface Tension by Wilhelmy plate; and
2. Referenced Documents
Method D—Interfacial Tension by Wilhelmy plate.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 Method A originally was written primarily to cover
D459 Terminology Relating to Soaps and Other Detergents
aqueous solutions of surface-active agents, but is also appli-
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
cable to aqueous paints, nonaqueous solutions (including
ASTM Test Methods
paints) and mixed solvent solutions.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.3 Method B is applicable to two-phase solutions. More Determine the Precision of a Test Method
than one solute component may be present, including solute
3. Terminology
components that are not in themselves surface-active.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 Method C is applicable to surface active liquids and,
3.1.1 du Noüy ring, n—platinum wire ring.
unlike du Noüy ring, no buoyancy corrections are needed and
resultsarenotaffectedbymoderateviscosities(1-10Pa-sec)of 3.1.2 Wilhelmy plate, n—flat, thin plate made of glass or
the liquid. It is the recommended method for use with paints platinum.
and resin solutions.
4. Summary of Test Methods
1.5 Method D is applicable to two-phase solutions and
4.1 du Noüy Ring Methods—The ring is suspended from a
mixtures.
tensiometer or balance. The test liquid is brought into contact
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
with the ring until the latter is covered. For interfacial tension
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
measurements, the ring must be at the interface between the
standard.
two liquids. The ring is then slowly withdrawn until a
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
maximum force is attained, from which the surface or interfa-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
cial tension may be calculated.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2 Wilhelmy Plate Methods—Theplateissuspendedfroma
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
tensiometerorbalance.Thetestliquidorinterfacebetweentwo
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
liquids is brought into contact with the bottom of the plate,
causing the plate to be pulled down into the liquid by the
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on surfacetensionforce.Theforceappliedtotheplatefromabove
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee D01.24 on Physical Properties of Liquid Paints &
2
Paint Materials. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published January 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1954. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D1331 – 14. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D1331-20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D1331 − 20
is then increased to bring the bottom edge of the plate level 9. Calibration of Apparatus
wit
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D1331 − 14 D1331 − 20
Standard Test Methods for
Surface and Interfacial Tension of Solutions of Paints,
Solvents, Solutions of Surface-Active Agents, and Related
1
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1331; 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
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of surface tension and interfacial tension of a variety of liquid materials, including
but not restricted to paints, solvents, and solutions of surface-active agents, as defined in Terminology D459. Four methods are
covered as follows:
Method A—Surface Tension by du Noüy ring.ring;
Method B—Interfacial Tension by du Noüy ring.ring;
Method C—Surface Tension by Wilhelmy plate.plate; and
Method D—Interfacial Tension by Wilhelmy plate.
1.2 Method A originally was written primarily to cover aqueous solutions of surface-active agents, but is also applicable to
aqueous paints, nonaqueous solutions (including paints) and mixed solvent solutions.
1.3 Method B is applicable to two-phase solutions. More than one solute component may be present, including solute components
that are not in themselves surface-active.
1.4 Method C is applicable to surface active liquids and, unlike du Noüy ring, no buoyancy corrections are needed and results are
not affected by moderate viscosities (1-10 Pa-sec) of the liquid. It is the recommended method for use with paints and resin
solutions.
1.5 Method D is applicable to two-phase solutions and mixtures.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review
them for hazards prior to usage.
1.8 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.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.24 on Physical Properties of Liquid Paints & Paint Materials.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014Dec. 1, 2020. Published January 2015January 2021. Originally approved in 1954. Last previous edition approved in 20112014 as
D1331D1331 – 14. – 11. DOI: 10.1520/D1331-14.10.1520/D1331-20.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1331 − 20
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D459 Terminology Relating to Soaps and Other Detergents
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 du Noüy ring—ring, n—platinum wire ring.
3.1.2 Wilhelmy plate—plate, n—flat, thin plate made of glass or platinum.
4. Summary of Test Methods
4.1 du Noüy Ring Methods—The ring is suspended from a tensiometer or balance. The test liquid is brought into contact with the
ring until the latter is covered. For interfacial tension measurements, the ring must be at the interface between the two liquids. The
ring is then slowly withdrawn until a maximum force is attained, from which the surface or interfacial tension may be calculated.
4.2 Wilhelmy Plate Methods—The plate is suspended from a tensiometer or balance. The test liquid or interface between two
liquids is brought into contact with the bottom of the plate, causing the plate to be pulled down into the liquid by the surface tension
force. The force applied to the plate from above is then increased to bring the bottom edge of the plate level with the flat surface
of the l
...