ASTM D1653-03

Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Organic Coating Films

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
One of the factors affecting the performance provided by an organic coating is its capability of resisting or aiding the passage of water vapor. In some services, for example, exterior wood and masonry, the coating has to allow moderate amounts of water vapor to pass through the film without damage to it. Hence, the water vapor transmission characteristics of coatings are important in assessing their performance in practical use.
The purpose of these test methods is to obtain values of water vapor transfer through coatings that range in permeability from high to low. These values are for use in design, manufacture, and marketing.  
The water vapor transmission is not a linear function of film thickness, temperature or relative humidity.
Values of water vapor transmission rate (WVT) and water vapor permeance (WVP) can be used in the relative rating of coatings only if the coatings are tested under the same closely controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity, and if their thicknesses are equal.  
Test Method A—The Dry Cup Method is the preferred test method for obtaining values that relate to conventional dwellings where high relative humidities are not anticipated.  
Test Method B—The Wet Cup Method is the preferred test method for obtaining values that relate to applications where high relative humidities are anticipated in the vicinity of the barrier material. In general, the more permeable a coating is to the passage of moisture as is typical of many water-reducible coatings, the greater its affinity for water and the greater the increase in transmission when tested in and exposed to high humidities. Absorption of water may make a coating less dense, thus allowing moisture to diffuse easily and cause a much higher moisture vapor transmission rate, (WVTR) than would occur in drier environments.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the rate at which water vapor passes through films of paint, varnish, lacquer, and other organic coatings. The films may be free films or they may be applied to porous substrates.
1.2 Two test methods are covered as follows:
1.2.1 Test Method A—Dry Cup Method, and
1.2.2 Test Method B—Wet Cup Method.
1.2.3 Agreement should not be expected between results obtained by different methods or test conditions. The method that most closely approaches the conditions of use should be selected.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be designated as the standard. Factors for conversion are stated in 13.2.1.2 and 13.2.2.2.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-2003
• ICS: 25.220.60 - Organic coatings
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.23 - Physical Properties of Applied Paint Films

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1653-93(1999)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Organic Coating Films
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D1653-03(2008) - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Organic Coating Films
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1797-12(2017)e1 - Standard Specification for Reinforced Liquid Coating Encapsulation Products for Leaded Paint in Buildings
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E3127-22 - Standard Guide for Specifying Water Vapor Transmission Material Properties of Water-Resistive Barriers and Air Barriers
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6947/D6947M-16(2023) - Standard Specification for Liquid Applied Moisture Cured Polyurethane Coating Used in Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing System
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6083/D6083M-21 - Standard Specification for Liquid-Applied Acrylic Coating Used in Roofing
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D4708-19 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Uniform Free Films of Organic Coatings
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D16-23 - Standard Terminology for Paint, Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6577-15(2019) - Standard Guide for Testing Industrial Protective Coatings
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1841-23 - Standard Specification for Interior Radiation Control Coating (IRCC) for Building Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C156-20 - Standard Test Method for Water Loss [from a Mortar Specimen] Through Liquid Membrane-Forming Curing Compounds for Concrete
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM E1795-20a - Standard Specification for Non-Reinforced Liquid Coating Encapsulation Products for Leaded Paint in Buildings
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D1653–03
Standard Test Methods for
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Water Vapor Transmission of Organic Coating Films
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1653; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
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1. Scope by Means of Aqueous Solutions
1.1 Thesetestmethodscoverthedeterminationoftherateat
3. Terminology
which water vapor passes through films of paint, varnish,
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
lacquer,andotherorganiccoatings.Thefilmsmaybefreefilms
3.1.1 water vapor transmission rate, WVT—the steady wa-
or they may be applied to porous substrates.
tervaporflowinunittimethroughunitareaofabody,between
1.2 Two test methods are covered as follows:
two specific parallel surfaces, under specific conditions of
1.2.1 Test Method A—Dry Cup Method, and
temperature and humidity at each surface. Accepted inch-
1.2.2 Test Method B—Wet Cup Method.
pound unit is grains per square foot per hour.Accepted SI unit
1.2.3 Agreement should not be expected between results
is grams per square metre per 24 h.
obtained by different methods or test conditions. The method
3.1.2 water vapor permeance, WVP—the steady water va-
that most closely approaches the conditions of use should be
por flow in unit time through unit area of a body (WVT)
selected.
inducedbyunitvaporpressuredifference(Dp)betweenthetwo
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be desig-
surfaces of a coating. Therefore, WVP=WVT/D p. Accepted
nated as the standard. Factors for conversion are stated in
inch-pound unit is grains per square foot per hour per inch of
13.2.1.2 and 13.2.2.2.
mercury (called a perm).Accepted SI unit is grams per square
1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety
metre per 24 h per millimetre of mercury (called a metric
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
perm).
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
4. Summary of Test Methods
limitations prior to use.
4.1 In Test MethodA(Dry Cup Method), the test specimen
2. Referenced Documents is sealed to the open mouth of a cup or dish containing
desiccant, and the assembly placed in a test chamber with a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
controlled atmosphere. Two sets of exposure conditions are
D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness
2 acceptable for this test method.
of Paint, Varnish, and Related Products on Test Panels
4.1.1 Condition A, consisting of 50% relative humidity at
D1005 Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thick-
2 73°F (23°C), and
ness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers
3 4.1.2 Condition B, consisting of 90% relative humidity at
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
100°F (38°C).
D4708 Practice for Preparation of Free Films of Organic
2 4.2 In Test Method B (Wet Cup Method), the test specimen
Coatings
is sealed to the open mouth of a cup or dish containing water,
E104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
and the assembly placed in a test chamber with a controlled
atmosphere.Twosetsofexposureconditionsareacceptablefor
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this test method:
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct
4.2.1 Condition A, consisting of 50% relative humidity at
responsibility of Subcommittee D01.23 on Physical Properties of Applied Paint
73°F (23°C), and
Films.
Current edition approved July 10, 2003. Published August 2003. Originally
e1
approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D1653-99 .
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
3 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
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D1653–03
4.2.2 Condition C, consisting of very low (near zero) test locations. For low or high humidity conditions, a standard
relative humidity at 73°F (23°C). desiccatororothersuitablecabinetmaybeused.Formaintain-
4.3 In both methods, periodic weighings of the cup or dish ing constant relative humidity by means of aqueous solutions,
are made to determine the rate of water vapor movement refer to procedures outlined in Practice E104.
through the specimen. 6.3 Analytical Balance, having an adequate capacity for the
weight of the test cups and a sensitivity of 1 mg.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 One of the factors affecting the performance provide
...