Independent Testing & Evaluation

UKAS accredited lab with state-of-the-art technology

Helping you to solve your paint & coatings challenges

We provide a comprehensive range of independent testing and evaluation services to ensure that our clients’ paints, coatings and inks meet the highest standards of quality, performance, and durability. Our UKAS accredited laboratory is equipped with the latest technology, allowing us to conduct a wide range of pre- and post-application tests on various substrates in accordance with global standards such as BS, ISO, ASTM, and DIN.

Our experienced technical staff use state-of-the-art equipment such as controlled atmosphere rooms and chambers, accelerated weathering equipment, exterior exposure sites, corrosion test cabinets, specialised coating industry apparatus and viscometers/rheometers, to conduct tests measuring various properties, including resistance to environmental factors, abrasion resistance, adhesion, impact resistance, surface appearance (colour & gloss), application properties and water permeability.

We’ll provide you with a clear picture of the root causes of your manufacturing & product use issues and insightful data about your paint’s composition, so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed. As well as establishing the cause, our aim is to provide a solution to these problems, and we’ll work with you to provide a comprehensive understanding of your product’s performance, providing expert opinions and advice.

Find out more about our testing & evaluation services

Ecolabel Accreditation

We understand the importance of environmental sustainability and the role it plays in today’s market. Our team of experts can guide you through the entire process of obtaining Ecolabel Accreditation, from testing to preparing your dossier. We ensure that your products meet the strict criteria required for certification and provide you with the necessary documentation to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability.

Our paint analysis expertise

With a comprehensive suite of paint analysis services to help you establish the reasons behind problems in manufacturing and product use, we have particular expertise in the analysis of substrates, raw materials, fully formulated coatings, multi-layer coating systems, and fibrous & particulate contaminants.

Raw Material Evaluation

At PRA, we understand that in today's global marketplace, coatings manufacturers face the challenge of sourcing raw materials from a vast array of suppliers worldwide. While this offers a tremendous opportunity for variety and cost savings, it also presents risks of unknown quality and regulatory compliance. Our independent raw material evaluation service helps you ensure the quality of the desired constituents and regulatory compliance, providing greater control over your product's properties.

Multi-Layer Coating System Analysis

A correctly applied paint system, e.g. a primer-undercoat-gloss, will have the correct components applied in the right order at the appropriate film thicknesses. With nothing more than a thumbnail-sized paint flake, we can identify and troubleshoot issues with the chemical compatibility between different layers of paint systems, the mechanical properties of each layer in relation to their intended purpose, and the chemical stability of each layer under varying environmental conditions.

Substrate Analysis

Providing detailed insights into the surface chemistry and topography of substrates, and the performance and service life of coatings applied to them, we can assist with analyses such as identifying preservatives in treated timber and pre-treatments in metal, and detecting surface contaminants. Whether you require testing for research & development, quality control, or failure analysis, we can provide customised solutions utilising techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), attenuated total reflectance (ATR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Fully Formulated Coatings

We can analyse paint and inks both pre- and post-application, including detecting whether paint samples have a common origin using analytical fingerprinting techniques such as FTIR, GC-MS & elemental analysis. In addition, we can perform qualitative analysis to establish the nature of the solvents, resins and pigments presents, or undertake a full quantitative analysis of a coating to identify all components and their relative proportions within a coating, especially useful for matching historic paints which are no longer made. However, we always check if a full analysis is required or whether a modern paint of the same colour would suffice, which we can create with our colour matching service.

Resistance to Microbial Attack

Our comprehensive assessments determine a coating's susceptibility to in-can spoilage, fungal or algal growth, and other forms of microbial contamination, analysing whether your coating will resist degradation and maintain its integrity over time. Our results deliver the insights you need to identify suitable preservatives to maximise microbial resistance, in addition to providing valuable information for regulatory compliance, product development, and marketing.

Fibrous & Particulate Contaminants

We use advanced analytical techniques to detect and quantify any fibrous or particulate contaminants present in your paint, with methods sensitive enough to detect even the smallest quantity of solid compounds for the most accurate and comprehensive analysis possible. Whether you're looking to identify hazardous materials, improve quality control processes, or simply gain a better understanding of your coating's properties, we're here to help.

Typical tests we undertake

Click on the headings below to see a list of the most common tests we undertake within our independent paint & coatings testing and evaluation services. If the test you are looking for is not listed here please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements, as we have many additional tests available.

Category	Test	ISO	ASTM	BS	Other
Corrosion Resistance	Assessment of Blistering	ISO 4628-2		BS 3900-H2
Corrosion Resistance	Assessment of Corrosion from a Scribe	ISO 4628-8
Corrosion Resistance	Assessment of Rusting	ISO 4628-3		BS 3900-H3
Corrosion Resistance	Continuous Salt Spray	ISO 9227 ISO 7253 ISO 12944-6	ASTM B117	BS 3900-F4 BS 3900-F12
Corrosion Resistance	Cyclic Prohesion	ISO 11997-2	ASTM D5894 ASTM G85
Corrosion Resistance	Cyclic Salt Spray	ISO 11997-2 ISO 12944-6		BS EN 60068-2-52	IEC 68-2-52
Corrosion Resistance	Sulfur Dioxide	ISO 3231 ISO 22479		BS 3900-F8	DIN 50018
Mechanical Properties	Abrasion Resistance	ISO 7784-1 ISO 7784-2	ASTM D4060	BS 3900-E14 BS 3900-E15
Mechanical Properties	Adhesion (Cross-Cut)	ISO 2409		BS 3900-E6
Mechanical Properties	Adhesion (Pull-Off)	ISO 4624		BS EN 24624
Mechanical Properties	Cupping Resistance	ISO 1520		BS 3900-E4
Mechanical Properties	Film Thickness	ISO 2808		BS 3900-C5
Mechanical Properties	Flexibility	ISO 1519 ISO 6860	ASTM D522	BS 3900-E1 BS 3900-E11
Mechanical Properties	Hardness	IS 12137-1 ISO 1518 ISO 1522 ISO 2815 ISO 15184	ASTM D3363	BS 3900-E2 BS 3900-E5 BS 3900-E9 BS 3900-E17 BS 3900-E19
Mechanical Properties	Impact Resistance	ISO 6272-1
Mechanical Properties	Surface Drying Time	ISO 1517	ASTM D1640/1640M
Mechanical Properties	Through Drying Time	ISO 9117		BS 3900-C3
Optical Properties	Blackness	ISO 18314-3
Optical Properties	Colour (Instrumental)	ISO 7724-2 ISO 18314-1		BS 3900-D1 BS 3900-D8
Optical Properties	Colour Comparison (Visual)	ISO 3668
Optical Properties	Gloss	ISO 2813		BS 3900-D5
Optical Properties	Hiding Power	ISO 6504-1 ISO 6504-3		BS 3900-D7 BS 3900-D11
Optical Properties	Opacity	ISO 3814		BS 3900-D4
Optical Properties	Tinting Strength	ISO 18314-2
Optical Properties	Whiteness and Yellowness	ISO 18314-3	ASTM E313
Weathering & Durability	Artificial Weathering Using a Fluorescent Lamp Source	ISO 16474-3 ISO 11507 ISO 927-6	ASTM D4587 ASTM G154	BS 3900-F16
Weathering & Durability	Artificial Weathering Using a Xenon Arc Source	ISO 16474-2 ISO 11341 ISO 12040
Weathering & Durability	Assessment of Blistering	ISO 4628-2		BS 3900-H2
Weathering & Durability	Assessment of Chalking	ISO 4628-6		BS 3900-H6
Weathering & Durability	Assessment of Cracking	ISO 4628-4		BS 3900-H4
Weathering & Durability	Assessment of Flaking	ISO 4628-5		BS 3900-H5
Weathering & Durability	Assessment of Lightfastness
Weathering & Durability	Controlled Temperature and Humidity Exposure
Weathering & Durability	Humidity	ISO 6270	ASTM D2247	BS 3900-F2 BS 3900-F9
Weathering & Durability	Natural Weathering	ISO 2810
Weathering & Durability	Resistance to Liquids	ISO 2814-1 ISO 2814-2 ISO 2814-3 ISO 2814-4
Weathering & Durability	Resistance to Temperature Change		ASTM D1211
Weathering & Durability	Water Vapour Permeability	ISO 7783
Weathering & Durability	Water Permeability			BS EN 1062-3
Wet Paint Tests	Application Properties and Appearance
Wet Paint Tests	Contact Angle	ISO 19403-2
Wet Paint Tests	Freeze/Thaw Resistance		ASTM D2243
Wet Paint Tests	In-Can Stability		ASTM D1849
Wet Paint Tests	Levelling		ASTM D4062
Wet Paint Tests	Oil Absorption	ISO 787-5	ASTM D281 ASTM D1483
Wet Paint Tests	Particle Size Distribution
Wet Paint Tests	pH
Wet Paint Tests	Rheology	ISO 3219-1 ISO 3219-2
Wet Paint Tests	Sag Resistance	ISO 16862
Wet Paint Tests	In-Can Properties	ISO 1513		BS 3900-A2
Wet Paint Tests	Determination of Spreading Rate	ISO 7254		BS 3900-A16
Wet Paint Tests	Density	ISO 2811-1 ISO 2811-4		BS 3900-A19 BS 3900-A22
Wet Paint Tests	Non-Volatile Matter	ISO 321		BS 3900-B18
Wet Paint Tests	Fineness of Grind	ISO 1524		BS 3900-C6	EN 21524
Wet Paint Tests	Viscosity	ISO 2431 ISO 2884-1 ISO 2884-2	ASTM D562 ASTM D2196 ASTM D1200 ASTM D4241	BS 3900 A6 BS 3900 A7-1 BS 3900 A7-2	DIN 53211

Ensure your paints, coatings & inks meet the highest standards

Get accurate results with independent testing

Whether you’re looking to test a new product, troubleshoot an existing one, or simply ensure that your products meet the highest standards of quality and performance, we’re have the expertise to help. From single tests to a comprehensive testing program, contact the PRA team today to learn more about how we can help you meet your testing and evaluation needs.