CHAPTER VIII

Chapter 82,826 wordsPublic domain

RESULTS OF ATLANTIC CITY TESTS

=Results on Various Woods.= On the Atlantic City Fence all the tests made on yellow pine and cypress were found to be in an unsatisfactory condition for a report, for in every case the sap and small knots contained in such wood had a very bad effect upon the paint, causing peeling and scaling. The white pine panels were in very much better condition, and it was therefore decided to make the inspection entirely from the white pine panels and in the future to remove the yellow pine and the cypress panels from the fence and from the test. The Committee advised that all future tests be made on white pine, as it is obviously unfair to use anything but the highest grade wood for a paint test in which the desire is to determine the comparative wearing value of pigments.

NOTE.--Recent tests have shown that Cypress may be successfully painted when the priming coat of paint is thinned with Benzol (Solvent Naphtha).

=Paints Containing Lithopone.= One of the most striking exhibitions of paint disintegration in the whole test was the failure of nearly all the lithopone formulas tested. At the time these formulas were suggested for the test, various European technical journals had advocated the use of lithopone in large percentage for paints to be used on exterior surfaces. Good results had been obtained in the northwestern section of Europe, with this pigment in certain mixtures, and the object of these lithopone tests at Atlantic City and Pittsburg was to determine whether satisfactory paints could be made of this pigment for exposure in this country. Failure of the tests, however, in nearly every case except where zinc oxide and whiting were mixed with the lithopone, indicated that pigments such as zinc and whiting are necessary in order to prevent the decomposition of lithopone pigment paints. The decay of lithopone paints after they are applied seems to start with rapid oxidation of the linseed oil, and this oxidation seems to continue in a progressive and even accelerated way; after six months' exposure the surface of the paint being chalked to a great extent and showing rapid decomposition of the binder or vehicle. Inasmuch as lithopone is really an inert pigment, this rapid decomposition of its vehicle cannot be explained in the same way as the decomposition of the vehicle of pure white lead paints, where the alkaline nature of the lead is probably responsible for the formation of easily destroyed compounds. As complete failure had taken place in nearly every case where lithopone had been used, it was decided to condemn the lithopone panels on the fence, consisting of formulas 21 to 27, including panels 151 to 164 in white, panels 131 to 144 in yellow, and 109 to 122 in gray. These lithopone tests were later on replaced by new tests in 1909, which will be reported upon later in this book.

=General Results.= From these tests, the inspectors reached the unanimous conclusion that a paint made from any mixture of more than one white opaque pigment, either when used alone or in combination with small percentages of inert pigments, is far superior to any one single pigment paint. It was found that the straight white lead paints failed in every case, and this failure was so marked as to make it a conclusive demonstration of the unfitness of white lead along the Atlantic coast, when used without other pigments. Paints made with large percentages of white lead, however, gave excellent results.

Gypsum was found unsafe to use in any large proportion in a paint, because of its solubility and liability to percolate through the coating of linoxyn or dried film, thus destroying the surface of the paint. Whiting, or calcium carbonate, demonstrated that it could be used in moderate percentage with some efficiency, but it was evident that any great excess of this pigment must also be avoided on account of its tendency towards rapid chalking. Magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, and silica are three inert pigments which proved to be of great value in strengthening and reinforcing paints, especially when they were used in small percentage. In the same way, black fixe and barytes, or barium sulphate, also appeared to be useful in strengthening a paint. As these two last named pigments are chemically the same but physically different, the use of both in a paint formula is considered advantageous, because of the differences in size and form of their particles.

=Color Tests.= It was the unanimous conclusion of all the inspectors that panels of all formulas which were tinted either gray or yellow were showing far superior wear and less chalking and checking than those which were painted in plain white. The reinforcing action of the tinting materials must be credited for this lengthening of the wear of such paints. Formulas 5, 6, 9, and 16, for instance, in the gray, were in most excellent condition, and in these formulas were used ochre, umber, bone-black, carbon-black, Venetian red and other inert bases. On the yellow panels, formulas 5, 6, 9, and 16 were also in very superior condition, and in these formulas chrome yellow and inert pigments were also used.

Some of the color tests included the priming of boards with white lead, zinc oxide, sublimed white lead, lithopone, and other single pigment paints. Over these priming coats was placed a high grade brilliant paranitraniline red. Fairly good results were obtained in every case, but especially when lithopone or zinc oxide was used as a priming base. These pigments seemed to have no effect upon the constitution of the para red.

Prussian blue, a colored pigment largely used, but one liable to react with certain paint pigments, was admixed with various paints applied to certain panels. This color was found in some cases to have faded materially, especially when mixed with alkaline pigments such as white lead. Sublimed white lead and zinc oxide, which are more inert in nature, did not have such action on Prussian blue, and the tinted bases of these pigments stood up in a remarkable manner. The greens which were tested were all in very good condition, with absence of fading, and showing only slight mildew.

=Condensed Results of Inspection.= The results of inspection as obtained by the fence committee[20] having in charge the inspection of the test, have been condensed into table form, and are presented on pages 130-131.

[20] R. S. Perry, Director Scientific Section, Paint Manufacturers' Association of the U. S.; George Butler, Official Painter, representing Master House Painters' & Decorators' Association, H. A. Gardner, Asst. Director.

=Second Annual Inspection of the Atlantic City Test Fence.= After the original paints which had been applied to the Atlantic City Fence had been exposed for over two years, another inspection was made by a committee representing the Master Painters' Association of Philadelphia and the Scientific Section of the Paint Manufacturers' Association of the United States. A digest of the report of this committee[21] follows:

[21] George Butler, Official Painter Atlantic City Test Fence, representing Philadelphia Master Painters' Association; Charles Macnichol, Master Painter; Henry A. Gardner, Director Scientific Section, Paint Manufacturers' Association of the U. S.

"The painted panels were all carefully inspected by the inspectors in the usual manner. With the aid of high-power magnifying glasses, checking was determined. The degree of chalking exhibited by the various paints was ascertained by rubbing a piece of black cloth across the surface of each paint. Close observance was made to determine scaling, peeling, cracking, gloss, color, and the other factors to be considered when examining a painted surface. From these observations it was possible for the inspectors to state whether a panel exhibited general good condition, general fair condition, or general poor condition.

CHART OF RESULTS--FIRST INSPECTION--ATLANTIC CITY TEST FENCE

==============================+=================================+ Formula | INERT PIGMENTS | No. |---------------------------------| |Carbonate |Calcium | |Lead |Carbonate | | |Zinc | |Calcium | | |Oxide | |Sulphate | | | |Sublimed | | |Magnesium | | | |White | | |Silicate | | | |Lead | | | |Barium | | | | |Zinc | | | |Sulphate | | | | |Lead | | | | |Silica | | | | |White | | | | | |Blanc| | | | | | | | | | |Fixe | --+------+------+------+------+-----+-----+-----+----+----+-----+ | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | 1| 30.0 | 70.0 | | | | | | | | | 2| 50.0 | 50.0 | | | | | | | | | 3| 20.0 | 50.0 | 20.0 | |10.0 | | | | | | 4| 48.5 | 48.5 | | | 3.0 | | | | | | 5| 22.0 | 50.0 | | | 2.0 | |26.0 | | | | 6| | 64.0 | | | | | |36.0| | | 7| 37.0 | 63.0 | | | | | | | | | 8| 38.0 | 48.0 | | | | | | |14.0| | 9| | 73.0 | | | | | 2.0 | |25.0| | 10| 44.0 | 46.0 | | | 5.0 | | 5.0 | | | | 11| 50.0 | 50.0 | | | | | | | | | 12| 60.0 | 34.0 | | | 6% Inert Pigments | 13| | 27.0 | 60.0 | | 3.0 | |10.0 | | | | 14| 25.0 | 25.0 | 20.0 | | 5.0 |25.0 | | | | | 15| 20.0 | 40.0 | | 30.0 |10.0 | | | | | | 16| 33.0 | 33.0 | | | | | |34.0| | | 17| 40.0 | 40.0 | | | | | 3.0 |13.0| | 4.0 | 18| 75.0 | 25.0 | | | | | | | | | 19| | 25.0 | 75.0 | | | | | | | | 20| 67.0 | 19.5 | | |10.0 | | 3.5 | | | | 33| 15.0 | 30.0 | 25.0 | | | | | |30.0| | 34| 38.95| 33.58| 4.81| |19.48| | 3.18| | | | 35| 37.51| 25.87| 7.84| |20.36| | 8.42| | | | 36|100.0 | | | | | | | | | | 37|100.0 | | | | | | | | | | 38|100.0 | | | | | | | | | | 39| | | |100.0 | | | | | | | 40| | |100.0 | | | | | | | | 45| |100.0 | | | | | | | | | 46| | 61.0 | | | | | |39.0| | | 47| |100.0 | | | | | | | | | ==+======+======+======+======+=====+=====+=====+====+====+=====+

======================+==========+======+=========+======+ Formula |Panel |Hiding|Color |Hard- | No. |No. |Power | | ness | |First | |Condi-| | | | |Coat | | tion | | | | | |Second | | | | | | | |Coat | | | | | | | | |Third | | | | | | | | |Coat | | | | | | | | | |Aver-| | | | | | | | | | age | | | | | | --+---+----+----+-----+---+------+------+---------+------+ | | | | | | | | | | 1|610| 987| 664| 754| 1|Good |Good |Excellent| 8 | 2|913|1066| 948| 976| 3|Good |Good |Good | 5 | 3|912| 914| 786| 871| 5|Good |Fair |Good | 4 | 4|759| 939|1047| 915| 7|Good |Good |Good | 5 | 5|714|1000| 709| 808| 9|Good |Weak |Good | 8-1/2| 6|928|1189| 863| 993| 11|Fairly|Weak |Good | 8 | | | | | | |Good | | | | 7|763| 972| 891| 875| 13|Good |Good |Off Color| 7 | 8|786| 910| 767| 821| 15|Good |Good |Good | 8-1/2| 9|716|1081| 812| 870| 17|Fair |Poor |Good | 9 | 10|861|1014| 862| 912| 19|Good |Fair |Good | 5 | 11|822| 959| 918| 900| 21|Good |Good |Excellent| 7-1/2| 12|862| 965| 734| 854| 23|Good |Medium|Good | 4 | 13|916|1031|1121| 1073| 25|Good |Good |Good | 4 | 14|564| 806| 785| 718| 27|Bad |Medium|Good | 5 | 15|935|1044|1359| 1113| 29|Good |Medium|Good | 8-1/2| 16|799| 903| 994| 899| 31|Fair |Fair |Good | 7-1/2| 17|806|1016| 884| 902| 33|Good |Fair |Good | 4 | 18|788|1257| 973| 1006|145|Good |Good |Excellent| 3 | 19|700|1183|1400| 1094|147|Good |Good |Excellent| 2 | 20|776|1063| 877| 905|149|Good |Good |Good | 5 | 33|512| 836| 689| 679|176| |Fair | | | 34|523| 800| 810| 711|175|Good |Medium|Good | 4 | 35|450| 893| 724| 689|180|Good |Good |Good | 4 | 36|408| 711| 861| 660|181|Bad |Good |Good | 1 | 37|524|1065| 828| 806|182|Bad |Good |Good | 1 | 38|555| 888| 794| 746|177|Bad |Good |Good | 1 | 39|550| 941| 916| 802|178|Good |Fair |Good | 6 | 40|643| 810| 998| 817|168|Good |Good |Good | 2 | 45|850| | | |170|Fair |Fair |Good | 9 | 46|783| | | |169|Fair |Good |Good | 9 | 47|730| | | |172| |Good |Good |10 | ==+===+====+====+=====+===+======+======+=========+======+

"An inspection of the white lead paints on the fence indicated in every instance a rough, chalked, and disintegrated surface that seemed to be well worn, in some cases nearly to the wood. The strongly oxidizing air of the seacoast is probably responsible for the early decay of this pigment.

"It was observed that the combination type of paint showed better hiding power than white lead, over the black crosses placed on the priming coat of each panel, as a hiding power test.

TESTS INAUGURATED IN 1907

CHART OF RESULTS OF SECOND ANNUAL INSPECTION OF ATLANTIC CITY TEST FENCE, MAY, 1910

=========================================================+ FORMULAS | --+------------------------+-----------------------------+ F | | INERT PIGMENTS | o | +-----------------------------+ r |Basic Carbonate |Calcium | m |White Lead |Carbonate | u | |Zinc Oxide | |Calcium | l | | |Basic | |Sulphate | a | | |Sulphate | | |Magnesium | | | |White Lead| | |Silicate | N | | | |Zinc | | | |Barium | u | | | |Lead | | | |Sulphate | m | | | |White| | | | |Silica | b | | | --+ | | | | | |Blanc| e | | | | | | | | | | Fixe| r | | | | | | | | | --+ | --+------+------+------+---+-----+--+----+-----+-----+---+ | % | % | % | %| % | %| % | % | % | %| 1| 30 | 70 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 2| 50 | 50 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 3| 20 | 50 | 20 | --|10 |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 4| 48.5 | 48.5 | -- | --| 3.0 |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 5| 22 | 50 | -- | --| 2 |--|26 |-- |-- | --| 6| -- | 64 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |36 |-- | --| 7| 37 | 63 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 8| 38 | 48 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |-- |14 | --| 9| -- | 73 | -- | --| 2 |--|-- |-- |25 | --| 10| 44 | 46 | -- | --| 5 |--| 5 |-- |-- | --| 11| 50 | 50 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 12| 60 | 34 | -- | --| -- | 6% Inert Pigment | --| 13| -- | 27 | 60 | --| 3 |--|10 |-- |-- | --| 14| 25 | 25 | 20 | --| 5 |25|-- |-- |-- | --| 15| 20 | 40 | -- | 30|10 |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 16| 33 | 33 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |34 |-- | --| 17| 40 | 40 | -- | --| -- |--| 3 |13 |-- | 4| 18| 75 | 25 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 19| -- | 25 | 75 | --| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 20| 67.0 | 19.5 | -- | --|10.0 |--| 3.5|-- |-- | --| 33| 15 | 30 | 25 | --| -- |--|-- |-- |30 | --| 34| 38.95| 33.58| 4.81| --|19.48|--|-- | 1.59| 1.59| --| 35| 37.51| 25.87| 7.84| --|20.36|--|-- | 4.21| 4.21| --| 36|100 | -- | -- | --|-- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 37|100 | -- | -- | --|-- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 38|100 | -- | -- | --| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 39| -- | -- | -- |100| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 40| -- | -- |100 | --| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 45| -- | 90 | -- | --|10 |--|-- |-- |-- | --| 46| -- | 61 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |39 |-- | --| 47| -- |100 | -- | --| -- |--|-- |-- |-- | --| ==+======+======+======+===+=====+==+====+=====+=====+===+

==+========================================+=== F | | o | | r | | P m | | a u | | n l | | e a | | l | REPORT OF INSPECTION | N +-----------+------------+------+--------+ N u | | |GENE- | | u m | | |RAL | | m b | | |CON- | | b e | | |DI- | | e r |CHALKING |CHECKING |TION |REMARKS | r --+-----------+------------+------+--------+--- 1|Very slight|Very slight |Good |-- | 1 2|Medium |Slight |Very |-- | 3 | | |good | | 3|Medium |Slight |Good |-- | 5 4|Very slight|Slight |Good |-- | 7 5|Slight |Slight |Good |-- | 9 6|Very slight|Slight |Good |-- | 11 7|Medium |Slight |Good |-- | 13 8|Slight |Very slight |Good |-- | 15 9|Very bad |Deep, with |Poor |-- | 17 | |scaling | | | 10|Heavy |Deep |Medium|-- | 19 11|Medium |Medium |Fair |-- | 21 12|Medium |Deep |Fair |-- | 23 13|Medium |Slight |Very |-- | 25 | | |good | | 14|Medium |Lateral |Fair |-- | 27 15|Slight |Visible with|Poor |-- | 29 | |naked eye | | | 16|Slight |Slight |Good |-- | 31 17|Medium |Slight |Good |-- | 33 18|Medium |Slight |Very |-- |145 | | |good | | 19|Consider- |Deep |Good |-- |147 |able | | | | 20|Medium |Slight |Good |-- |149 33|Medium |Slight |Very |-- |176 | | |good | | 34|Slight |Slight |Good |-- |175 | |lateral | | | 35|Slight |Lateral |Good |-- |180 36|Consider- |Heavy |Fair |Rough |181 |able | | |surface | 37|Consider- |Heavy and |Poor |Rough |182 |able |deep | |surface | 38|More than |Very deep |Poor |-- |177 |Panel no. | | | | |182 | | | | 39|Consider- |Very slight |Good |-- |178 |able | | | | 40|Heavy |Slight |Good |-- |168 45|Slight |Slight |Good |-- |170 46|Slight |Medium |Fair |-- |169 47|None |Very deep |Poor |-- |172 ==+===========+============+======+========+===

"There are no pigments possessing greater hiding properties when first used than white leads, but the lack of hiding power on the white lead panels after two years' exposure was caused by the chalking away of the lead. The superior hiding power of the composite paints was due to the action of the other pigments in these combination paints in preventing the lead from chalking away.

"The Committee finds that the addition of a reasonable percentage of zinc oxide to white lead increases its durability and retards its chalking, renders it whiter, and forms a surface that presents a much better repainting condition. The combinations of white lead and zinc oxide on the Atlantic City Test Fence were in general good condition throughout.

"Corroded white lead, sublimed white lead, zinc oxide, and zinc lead are the standard white opaque pigments. They were all tested on the Atlantic City Fence and it was found that to use any one alone results in inferior protection to the wood. Barium sulphate, silica, asbestine, china clay, and calcium carbonate are the standard crystalline pigments. In the past, the overloading of paints with these crystalline or inert pigments has been the cause of the prejudice that painters have had against their use. It has been established beyond controversy, however, that the use of these pigments, in moderate percentage, combined with any of the standard opaque white pigments, such as white leads, zinc oxide, etc., undoubtedly results in better service from every standpoint and forms the most satisfactory white paint for general outside use. Some of the most perfect painted surfaces on the fence were those made on the above basis as reference to the charted report will show."