ASTM D1882-17(2021)

Standard Test Method for Effect of Cooling System Chemical Solutions on Organic Finishes for Automotive Vehicles

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method will distinguish between cooling system chemical solutions that do or do not have a tendency to change the surface appearance when applied to organic finishes used on vehicles. Such changes may be manifested by discoloration, loss of gloss, softening, swelling, or other similar phenomena.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines the effect of cooling system chemical solutions on organic finishes used on motor vehicles. Cooling system chemicals include: coolants or corrosion inhibitors, or both, cooling system cleaners or flushes, or both, and stop leak additives.  
Note 1: This test method is a modification of Method of Test D1540.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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: 31-Aug-2021
• ICS: 71.100.45 - Refrigerants and antifreezes
• Technical Committee: D15 - Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
• Drafting Committee: D15.03 - Physical Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1176-14(2019) - Standard Practice for Sampling and Preparing Aqueous Solutions of Engine Coolants or Antirusts for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1176-14 - Standard Practice for Sampling and Preparing Aqueous Solutions of Engine Coolants or Antirusts for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Refers: ASTM D609-00(2012) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and Related Coating Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1176-98(2008) - Standard Practice for Sampling and Preparing Aqueous Solutions of Engine Coolants or Antirusts for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Refers: ASTM D609-00(2006) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and Related Coating Products
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM D609-00 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and Related Coating Products
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Refers: ASTM D1176-98(2002) - Standard Practice for Sampling and Preparing Aqueous Solutions of Engine Coolants or Antirusts for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Refers: ASTM D1176-98 - Standard Practice for Sampling and Preparing Aqueous Solutions of Engine Coolants or Antirusts for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998

Overview

ASTM D1882-17(2021), Standard Test Method for Effect of Cooling System Chemical Solutions on Organic Finishes for Automotive Vehicles, is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. This test method determines the impact of automotive cooling system chemicals-such as coolants, corrosion inhibitors, cleaners, flushes, and stop-leak additives-on organic finishes (including common automotive paints) applied to vehicles.

The test evaluates whether these chemicals cause visible surface changes like discoloration, gloss loss, softening, swelling, or other phenomena that could affect the appearance and durability of vehicle finishes.

Key Topics

• Purpose: Differentiates between chemical solutions that are safe for use with automotive organic finishes and those that may cause adverse surface effects.
• Test Method:
  • Chemical solutions, either concentrated or diluted, are placed in contact with organic-coated test panels at room temperature for one hour.
  • After exposure, panels are cleaned and visually inspected for any changes in the finish.
  • Effects such as discoloration, loss of gloss, softening, swelling, and other surface changes are documented.
• Materials Used:
  • Steel panels with finishes representative of those found on automotive vehicles (including clear coated and non-clear coated urethane and acrylic urethane finishes).
  • Test solutions prepared as per relevant ASTM practices, ensuring inclusion of any separated solid or liquid fractions.
• Reporting:
  • Details on the chemical product tested and its concentration.
  • Coating system information.
  • Description of observed effects (if any).

Applications

ASTM D1882-17(2021) is widely used in the automotive industry and by chemical manufacturers and suppliers of cooling system chemicals. Practical applications include:

• Quality Control: Automotive manufacturers and paint suppliers use this method to verify the compatibility of new or existing cooling system chemicals with specific paints and coatings.
• Product Development: Chemical formulators can screen and improve cooling system additives and fluids to ensure they do not harm vehicle finishes during routine use or service.
• Failure Analysis: Helps identify the cause of finish damage after coolant or chemical spills, supporting warranty claims or service investigations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Provides substantiated test results for compliance with global automotive paint durability standards.

This method ensures that maintenance products do not inadvertently damage or alter the visual appeal and integrity of automotive finishes, protecting both vehicle value and brand reputation.

Related Standards

• ASTM D609: Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and Related Coating Products
• ASTM D1176: Practice for Sampling and Preparing Aqueous Solutions of Engine Coolants or Antirusts for Testing Purposes
• ASTM D1540: Method of Test for Effect of Chemical Agents on Organic Finishes Used in the Transportation Industry (historical reference)
• ISO and SAE Automotive Coatings Standards: Related international standards for automotive coating durability and compatibility

By following ASTM D1882-17(2021), stakeholders in the automotive sector can reliably evaluate the effects of cooling system chemicals on vehicle finishes, supporting high quality, long-lasting automotive exteriors.

Keywords: automotive vehicles, cooling system chemicals, organic finishes, paint compatibility, ASTM D1882, corrosion inhibitors, coolant additives, automotive coatings, finish durability, vehicle maintenance.

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: D1882 − 17 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
Effect of Cooling System Chemical Solutions on Organic
Finishes for Automotive Vehicles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1882; 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* D1540 Method of Test for Effect of Chemical Agents on
Organic Finishes Used in the Transportation Industry
1.1 This test method determines the effect of cooling system
(Withdrawn 1992)
chemical solutions on organic finishes used on motor vehicles.
Cooling system chemicals include: coolants or corrosion
3. Summary of Test Method
inhibitors, or both, cooling system cleaners or flushes, or both,
3.1 Concentrated or diluted cooling system chemical solu-
and stop leak additives.
tions are brought into contact with organic finishes typical of
NOTE 1—This test method is a modification of Method of Test D1540.
those used on automobiles for 1 h at room temperature. The
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
surface of the finish then is inspected visually for any of the
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
surface changes mentioned in Section 4.
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 This test method will distinguish between cooling sys-
tem chemical solutions that do or do not have a tendency to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- changethesurfaceappearancewhenappliedtoorganicfinishes
used on vehicles. Such changes may be manifested by
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- discoloration,lossofgloss,softening,swelling,orothersimilar
phenomena.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. Materials
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.1 Test Panels—Steel panels, approximately 100 mm by
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
150 mm (4 in. by 6 in.) shall be prepared in accordance with
the Methods of Preparation of Practice D609. The surface of
2. Referenced Documents
the test panels shall be roughened to 0.25 µm to 0.50 µm
2.1 ASTM Standards:
(10 µin. to 20 µin.) prior to applying the organic finish. These
D609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels panelsshallbecoatedwithanorganicfinishofthetypeusedon
for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and
vehicles such as clear coated and non-clear coated thermoset
Related Coating Products urethane and acrylic urethane finishes. Other finishes and
D1176 Practice for Sampling and Preparing Aqueous Solu-
painted panels of varying age and dimensions (24 in. mini-
tions of Engine Coolants orAntirusts forTesting Purposes mum) may be used upon agreement between the customer and
supplier.
6. Test Solution
6.1 The coolant to be tested shall be either a concentrate or
a dilution. Sufficient ASTM Type IV water shall be added to
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D15 on Engine
yield a solution of 50 % concentration by volume in accor-
Coolants and Related Fluids and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D15.03 on Physical Properties.
dance with Practice D1176, section on Preparation of Solutions
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally
Requiring Inclusion of Separated Solids and Liquids. Any
approved
...