Overview
ISO 22553-9:2020 specifies a laboratory method to determine the volatile‑matter content (stoving loss) of electro‑deposition coatings (e‑coats). Intended for automotive and general industrial applications (chillers, consumer products, radiators, aerospace, agriculture), the standard defines the test principle, apparatus, test‑panel preparation, procedure, calculation and reporting requirements for measuring mass loss during stoving (curing).
Key SEO keywords: ISO 22553-9, stoving loss, electro-deposition coatings, e-coat testing, volatile-matter content.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and principle: Measures non‑volatile matter after stoving; stoving loss is expressed as a percentage of applied e‑coat mass. Values are relative and depend on stoving temperature and time.
- Apparatus and materials: Typical lab equipment plus a laboratory deposition system (tank with circulation and DC supply), ampere meter, thermometer (±0.1 °C), analytical balance (±0.0001 g), oven with specified temperature stability, timer.
- Test panels: Electrically conductive, pretreated panels per ISO 1514 (~190 mm × 105 mm × 0.75 mm).
- Procedure essentials:
- Coat panels in triplicate using specified bath voltage, temperature and time to achieve nominal dry-film thickness.
- Rinse with demineralized water (ISO 23321), pre‑dry (≈110 °C for ~60 min), weigh, then stove at the product‑specific object temperature (usually 100–180 °C).
- Calculate mass of applied e‑coat, mass loss on stoving, and report the stoving loss (%) using the provided formulas.
- Repeatability and statistics: Perform three determinations; mean (or median) reported. Precision data is not provided in the standard.
- Calculation of relative factors: Annex A details computation of the relative mass loss factor, relative reaction loss factor, and relative total stoving loss factor based on additional weighings (venting, 110 °C drying and stoving).
- Test report: Must include product identification, ISO reference, tank voltage/temperature, application time, stoving temperature/time, results, deviations, anomalies and test date.
Applications and who uses it
- Quality control laboratories in automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers to monitor e‑coat volatile content and curing performance.
- Coating formulators to evaluate solvent/volatile retention and reaction characteristics during cure.
- Third‑party test houses and compliance teams for material specification verification.
- R&D teams optimizing application parameters (voltage, bath temp, stoving profile) to achieve target film properties.
Related standards
- ISO 1514 - Standard test panels for paints and varnishes
- ISO 22553-1 - Vocabulary for electro‑deposition coatings
- ISO 23321 - Demineralized water specification for paints
ISO 22553-9:2020 is a focused, practical test method for assessing e‑coat volatile losses during stoving - essential for product development, process control and specification compliance in industries that rely on electro‑deposition coatings.
