ASTM F2217/F2217M-13(2023)

Standard Practice for Coating/Adhesive Weight Determination

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Coating weight is an indicator of certain functional characteristics of coated substrates (for example, sealability, peelability, appearance). The methodology described in this practice is a means of determining coat weight.  
5.2 This practice does not address acceptability criteria. These need to be jointly determined by the user and producer of the product.  
5.3 The methodology described in this practice includes operator assessment of effective coating removal. This is a subjective assessment and requires operator training for consistent results.  
5.4 This practice is applicable to coated substrates in which only the coating is soluble in the chosen solvent. The solvent used is critical to the success of the coating removal process. The coated substrate manufacturer must provide guidance in choice of solvent.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for determining the amount of coating applied to a substrate, (for example, film, paper, nonwoven). The amount of coating is expressed as a weight per given area, (for example, g/m2, lb/ream).  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
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: 14-Nov-2023
• ICS: 25.220.20 - Surface treatment
• Technical Committee: F02 - Primary Barrier Packaging
• Drafting Committee: F02.20 - Physical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F2217/F2217M-13(2018) - Standard Practice for Coating/Adhesive Weight Determination
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2023

Overview

ASTM F2217/F2217M-13(2023) - Standard Practice for Coating/Adhesive Weight Determination - establishes a standardized procedure for measuring the amount of coating or adhesive applied to a substrate. Applicable to materials such as films, papers, and nonwovens, this standard provides a reliable method for quantifying coating weight, expressed as weight per given area (e.g., g/m² or lb/ream).

The standard outlines the importance of coating weight as an indicator of essential functional properties like sealability, peelability, and appearance. Manufacturers, converters, and end users in the packaging, labeling, and medical devices sectors can use this standard to consistently assess coating and adhesive application on products.

Key Topics

• Sample Preparation and Conditioning

  • Selection and conditioning of representative coated substrate samples
  • Use of templates for precise, known unit area

• Weighing and Coating Removal

  • Initial weighing of coated samples with an analytical balance (recommended accuracy: 0.0001 g)
  • Removal of the coating/adhesive using an appropriate solvent-selected so that the coating is soluble while the substrate remains intact

• Operator Assessment

  • Operator training required for consistent and effective coating removal
  • Subjectivity in process highlights the importance of operator expertise

• Calculation and Reporting

  • Calculation of coating or adhesive weight by comparing mass before and after coating removal, normalized to sample area
  • Units reported in either SI (g/m²) or inch-pound (lb/ream) systems; systems cannot be interchanged for the same test
  • Comprehensive reporting requirements to ensure traceability and reproducibility

• Safety Considerations

  • Handling solvents safely using protective equipment and fume hoods
  • Responsibility on users to determine and implement appropriate health, safety, and environmental practices

Applications

ASTM F2217/F2217M is widely adopted across multiple industries where coated substrates play a critical role. Its applications include:

• Flexible Packaging

  • Measurement of adhesive layers and coatings in food and medical packaging materials to verify functional properties such as barrier performance and seal integrity

• Medical and Pharmaceutical Packaging

  • Assurance of consistent adhesive coating in packaging for medical devices and products, critical for sterility and ease of use

• Industrial Papers and Films

  • Quality control in manufacturing of coated papers or films for graphic arts, labels, or other specialty applications

• Product Development and R&D

  • Formulation optimization by R&D labs to determine optimal coating weights for desired performance metrics

Adhering to this standard ensures reliable, consistent, and repeatable determination of coating or adhesive weights, making it invaluable for both quality assurance and production monitoring.

Related Standards

Organizations and professionals utilizing ASTM F2217/F2217M may also find the following standards relevant:

• ASTM E171/E171M: Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Packaging-referenced for standard sample conditioning procedures
• Other ASTM Coating Standards: For different substrates or specialized coating types
• International Standards on Packaging and Materials Testing: As recognized by the World Trade Organization’s principles for international standards development

By following ASTM F2217/F2217M-13(2023), stakeholders throughout the packaging and materials industries enhance product quality, promote consistency, and facilitate conformance to regulatory and client requirements.

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: F2217/F2217M − 13 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Coating/Adhesive Weight Determination
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2217/F2217M; 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.
NOTE 1—Other ream sizes may be in use. If using a ream size other than
1. Scope
2 2
278.7 m (3000 ft ), the conversion factor K (located in the appendix)
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for determining the
must be recalculated if reporting results as lb/ream.
amount of coating applied to a substrate, (for example, film,
4. Summary of Practice
paper, nonwoven). The amount of coating is expressed as a
weight per given area, (for example, g/m , lb/ream).
4.1 Representative samples of coated material are weighed,
coating is removed using a solvent appropriate for the coating,
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
samples are dried and weighed again. The differential obtained
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
is the coating weight.
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
4.2 Typical methodology is as follows:
used independently of the other, and values from the two
4.2.1 Cut representative samples using a cutting device and
2 2
systems shall not be combined.
a template of known unit area “A” mm (in. ), for example,
203.2 mm by 50.8 mm (8 in. by 2 in.) template.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2.2 Weigh each sample on the analytical balance to the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
nearest 0.0001 g and record the value “W .” Samples may be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
folded and placed on to the analytical balance.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 2—If sample is conditioned weigh immediately.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.2.3 Using solvent in which the coating is soluble and the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
substrate is insoluble, remove coating from substrate. Typical
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
methods are wiping with solvent saturated cloth, immersing
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
samples in solvent to soften, then wiping with cloth or brush,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
if needed, or immersing sample, agitating to soften, then
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
wiping with cloth or brush. For specific recommendations
contact the coated substrate supplier.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 3—Accumulated coating in solvent, cloth or brush can reduce the
ability to clean sample properly and may affect test results.
E171/E171M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible
Barrier Packaging
4.2.4 Thoroughly dry the substrate with a drying appliance.
A timer should be used to ensure consistency in immersion,
3. Terminology
cleaning and drying time. Drying of hygroscopic materials
3.1 coating—a material applied to enhance the characteris-
should be consistent with conditioning parameters.
tics of the base substrates. For this practice, the coating must be
4.2.5 Re-weigh each sample on the analytical balance to the
soluble in the chosen solvent.
nearest 0.0001 g and record the value “W .”
3.2 ream—500 sheets of 609.6 mm by 914.4 mm (24 in. by 4.2.6 Calculate and report the adhesive coat weight using
2 2
36 in.) equal to 278.7 m (3000 ft ). the following equation:
K W 2 W
~ !
1 2
Adhesive Coat Weight 5 (1)
1 S D
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on Primary
AP
Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.20 on
Physical Properties.
where:
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally
W = weight of coated substrate, g,
approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F2217/
W = weight of uncoated substrate, g,
F2217M – 13 (2018). DOI: 10.1520/F2217-13R23. 2
2 2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or A = area of substrate, mm (in. ),
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
P = fraction of substrate that is coated (P = 1 except for
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
zone coated materials), and
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2217/F2217M − 13 (2023)
6.9 Cutting Device, for example, a safety cutter or utility
K = constant (see below).
knife with retractable blade.
4.2.7 When coat weight is expressed in g/m :
6.10 Template Die, of known area for cutting standard size
6 2 2
K 5 1 × 10 mm /m (2)
coated web samples. Template should be part of a regular
calibration check to prevent loss in wear.
4.2.8 When coat weight is expressed in lb/ream:
in. ·lb
7. Hazards
K 5 952.4
...