The line drying time recorder is an automatic instrument used to assess the behaviour of paints, coatings, enamels and resins during the different drying and curing stages of the applied film.
The test makes it possible to observe coating development over time more objectively, without relying only on manual assessment or visual inspection. The instrument records the tracks left by the styli on the film and helps identify the main stages of the drying process.
The material is applied to dedicated glass panels. During the test, the styli move slowly across the fresh film and leave a track whose appearance changes according to the degree of drying reached. Analysis of the track makes it possible to identify the different stages of coating development.
SALDTR262 allows several samples to be tested simultaneously, with independently adjustable tracks. This is useful when comparing different formulations, assessing several batches of the same material or verifying the effect of different application conditions on drying time.
The line drying time recorder does not simply measure how long a material takes to dry: it distinguishes the progressive stages of the film, from the initial loss of fluidity to more complete curing. This makes the test particularly useful in quality control, the development of new formulations and comparative assessments between materials.
The stages that can be assessed during the test include:
- Set-to-touch time, when the film has started to solidify and no longer behaves as a fully fluid material
- Dust-free time, when the surface no longer retains very light objects or shows evident surface tack
- Hard-dry time, when the film has reached a level of curing at which it is not easily displaced or marked by more definite stress
- Through-dry time, when the process has affected the film more completely and not only at the surface
The time search function allows a track to be analysed after testing and identifies the time corresponding to a specific point along its path. The operator can therefore relate visible changes in the track to the moment at which they occurred during the test.
Drying-time control is important because it affects many practical characteristics of the coating, including component handling, overcoating, packaging, movement, initial film resistance and production-process stability. Drying that is too slow or non-uniform can create production issues, whereas comparative assessment helps support more informed formulation selection or adjustment.
The line drying time recorder is used for tests in accordance with ISO 9117-4 and ASTM D5895, technical references for assessing the drying and curing of paint and coating films using mechanical recorders.
SALDTR262 is therefore suitable for automatic and comparative control of coating drying time, distinguishing the different stages of the film and providing a clearer understanding of material behaviour during curing.
Applications
- Drying-time control of paints and coatings
- Assessment of the drying stages of the applied film
- Comparison between different formulations
- Verification of consistency between production batches
- Quality-control checks on paints, enamels, resins and coatings
- Comparative analysis of samples tested under the same conditions
- Support for formulation development in the laboratory
- Assessment of film behaviour before handling, packaging or overcoating
- Control of the drying process in production environments
- Analysis of the tracks left by the styli on the film
FAQ – Line drying time recorder
What is a line drying time recorder used for?
It is used to assess the time required for a paint, coating, enamel or resin film to pass through the different drying and curing stages.
How does SALDTR262 work?
The material is applied to glass panels. During the test, the styli move across the film and leave a track that changes according to the degree of drying reached.
What can be observed in the tracks left by the styli?
The tracks make it possible to identify the different stages of the drying process, from the initial phase to more complete film curing.
Which stages can be assessed during the test?
Stages such as set-to-touch time, dust-free time, hard-dry time and through-dry time can be assessed.
What does set-to-touch time mean?
It is the stage at which the film has started to solidify and no longer behaves as a fully fluid material.
What does dust-free time mean?
It is the stage at which the film surface no longer shows evident tack in response to light contact.
What does hard-dry time mean?
It indicates a more advanced stage in which the film has reached sufficient curing not to be easily displaced or marked by more definite stress.
What does through-dry time mean?
It indicates a stage in which the process has affected the film more completely and not only at the surface.
Why is it useful to control drying time?
Drying time affects handling, packaging, overcoating, movement and production-process stability.
Can SALDTR262 compare multiple samples?
Yes. The instrument allows several samples to be tested simultaneously, making it easier to compare formulations, batches or different test conditions.
What is the time search function used for?
It allows a point on the track to be analysed after the test and identifies the time corresponding to that stage of the path.
Is it useful for paint quality control?
Yes. It is suitable for checks on paints, coatings, enamels and resins in both laboratory and production environments.
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