Customized products, tests & approvals from the TIGER laboratory
As a global-playing technological leader in the sector, we have a valuable resource that can generate added value for you and tackle highly specific issues - our fully equipped, state-of-the-art laboratory, and the expert team that comes with it.
As well as precise, ´spot-on´ matching across the entire spectrum of powder-coating technology (e.g. unique special effects such as metallics, haptic surfaces and powder coatings with specific properties etc.), we can also offer you our extensive arsenal of testing devices (for e.g. weathering tests, corrosion protection tests, mechanical testing, grainsize distribution, chemical stability, many different types of special test, etc.).
Alongside our wide range of different services, we also offer you the unique opportunity of having flexible client-specific analyses carried out on your behalf, to give you the information that you need as the basis for your decision-making.
Sampling
Prototyping of UNI colors
Custom color development in the TIGER laboratory with reference to a specimen or a color standard, and with the desired gloss; 1 x 0.8 kg specimen powder and 1 QV panel.
€ 500 / color
Prototyping of metallic and special effects
Effect nuancing with reference to specimen and gloss sample, 1 x 0.8 kg specimen powder and 1 QV panel.
€ 800 / effect
Sample panels
Sample QV-sized panels as per current TIGER standard warehouse range; DIN A4 formats for all colors and effects from the TIGER Architectural Service (TAS).
€ 25 / sample
Accelerated weathering
Exposure to natural weathering in Florida, based on ISO 2810
Testing of the panels takes place in Miami, in a south-facing location. The warm and humid climate of South Florida is ideal for real-time weathering tests. The duration of weathering will depend upon the system to be tested: 1 year for standard polyester, 3 years / 5 years for superdurable, and 10 years for fluoropolymer.
Billed according to service provided
Accelerated weathering based on EN ISO 11341
An accelerated weathering test simulates, over a short period of time, the influence of moisture, temperature, and of the destructive components of sunlight that a coating has to endure in outdoor use.
It serves to differentiate the quality level with reference to the ‘standard’, ‘superdurable’ and ‘ultra-durable’ weathering specifications. Due to the testing duration, this test provides figures with very good comparability to those obtained from exposure to natural weathering in Florida. Testing duration: 300 hours.
€ 250 / sample
UV-B 313nm based on DIN 53384
A UV-B test simulates, over a short period of time, the influence of UV radiation on the surface finish. This is an even faster test method for determining the weathering stability.
€ 250 / sample
Corrosion protection
Salt spray testing based on ISO 9227
This test permits checking of the entire system (substrate, pre-treatment, powder and curing condition). Testing is possible on both aluminium and steel. Testing duration: 1000 hours.
€ 250 / sample
Determination of resistance to humidity (testing under tropical conditions) based on DIN EN ISO 6270-2
Coating adhesion test in constant-condensation atmosphere to verify the pre-treatment quality.
Testing duration: 1000 hours.
€ 250 / sample
Mechanical testing
Cross-cut test (based on DIN EN ISO 2409)
Cross-cutting is a method for testing the adhesion of a coating to the preceding coat and to the substrate. A cutter blade and a template are used to make 6 vertical cuts and 6 horizontal cuts in the coating, down to the substrate. This test is used for determining the adhesion of the cured powder coating to the substrate. In the case of multi-coat systems, evaluation of inter-coat adhesion is also possible. Free of charge when test specimen is provided.
Free of charge if specimen is provided
Cylindrical mandrel bend test (based on DIN EN ISO 1519)
In the cylindrical mandrel bend test, sample panels are bent around cylinders of different diameters. This enables the deformability of the coating to be assessed. Free of charge when test specimen is provided.
Free of charge if specimen is provided
Drop impact test (based on EN ISO 6272 / ASTM D 2794)
This test allows the flexibility and adhesion of the coating to be assessed in the case of rapid deformation. The degree of adhesion is closely related to the pre-treatment quality. Free of charge when test specimen is provided.
Free of charge if specimen is provided
Erichsen cupping (based on DIN EN ISO 1520)
This test allows the flexibility and adhesion of the coating to be assessed in the case of slow deformation. The degree of adhesion is closely related to the pre-treatment quality. Free of charge when test specimen is provided.
Free of charge if specimen is provided
Special tests | Approvals
Decontaminability test
Testing to the respective MIL Specs. Will be charged on internal/external T&M basis.
Billed according to actual internal and external expenses
Corrosion protection of steel structures
Testing system configuration in accordance with the corrosion categories of DIN 55633. Will be charged on internal/external T&M basis.
Billed according to actual internal and external expenses
Physiological safety
Testing of olfactory or taste-related influence on foodstuffs and their surfaces. Will be charged on internal/external T&M basis.
Billed according to actual internal and external expenses
Colour measurement and reflectometer value based on DIN 5033 / DIN EN ISO 2813
Exact colour measurement (with or without exclusion of gloss effects) to determine colour differences and metamerism effects to CIELAB, and determination of specular gloss by reflectometer measurements at a 60° angle (alternative angle measurements are possible) in order to define binding colour- and gloss tolerances.
Free of charge
Test of resistance to disinfectants
Testing to the relevant test guidelines for hospitals.
Will be charged on internal/external T&M basis.
Billed according to actual internal and external expenses
Resistance to chemicals
Tests by our laboratory team to determine our powder coatings’ resistance to substances (fats, acids, alkalis, oils, fuels etc.) that you use.
Billed according to actual internal and external expenses
Testing of materials and components for rail vehicles and rolling stock; determining combustion behaviour
Testing and classification of combustion behaviour. Will be charged on internal/external T&M basis.
Billed according to actual internal and external expenses
Testing for suitability for use on surfaces in contact with drinking water
Testing to GSK (German Institute for Quality Assurance and Certification) regulations for heavy-duty powder-coated corrosion protection of fittings, or to German Federal Environment Agency KTW Guidelines. Will be charged on internal/external T&M basis.
Billed according to actual internal and external expenses
Testing of coated surfaces with anti-microbial (AM) properties
Testing the efficacy of AM powder-coated surfaces.
Will be charged on internal/external T&M basis.
Billed according to actual internal and external expenses
Particle size distribution
Measuring particle size distribution with the laser diffraction method, to enhance the transfer efficiency.
€ 50
Analytics
Being equipped with an extensive panoply of analytical measuring technology, we have the capability to perform both qualitative (identification) and quantitative analyses of a large number of chemical substances.
We can detect individual substances in complex chemical formulations/mixtures, even in the case of low substance dosages or trace impurities, using physical-chemical measuring principles such as FTIR spectroscopy, AAS and GS-MS, although we also have wet-chemical processes such as various versions of chromatography at our disposal.
It is always advisable to call on the analytics service when a damage investigation is needed in order to establish responsibility for damage that has already occurred, and/or where a higher reject rate is occurring in production. In this way, sources of error can be identified and permanently solved, and latent hazard sources can be discovered and eliminated.
Equipment: AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy)
Used for: detecting inorganic pigments and fillers in powder coatings:
e.g. Ba, Ca, Fe, Ti, Al, Si, Cr, V, Bi, Pb and Cd
Billed according to service provided
Equipment: FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy)
Used for: identifying binding agents and hardeners in powder coatings
Polyester; bisphenol A epoxides, dicyandiamide, glycidyl methacrylates; isocyanates (Vestagon 1530/1540)
Billed according to service provided
Equipment: HPLC (high-pressure liquid chromatography)
Used for: detecting hydroxyalkylamide hardeners in powder coatings: e.g. Primid XL-552; QM-1260
Billed according to service provided
Equipment: TFC (thin-film chromatography)
Used for: detecting epoxy functional hardeners: e.g. PT 910; TGIC
Billed according to service provided
Equipment: GCMS (gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy)
Used for: detecting monomeric constituents of polyester: neopentyl glycol, isophthalic acid; terephthalic acid; adipic acid; trimethylolpropane
Billed according to service provided
Equipment: UV-VIS (ultraviolet and visible light spectroscopy)
Used for: UV spectra, absorption in the UV-Vis range
Billed according to service provided
Equipment: Headspace GC-FID (gas-chromatography and flame ionisation detector)
Used for: headspace: detecting solvents and volatile components
Billed according to service provided
Equipment: DSC (differential scanning calorimetry)
Used for: determining the degree of curing and the reactivity of thermally and UV curable systems
Billed according to service provided
Transverse microsections
Filigree preparation techniques are used to make microsections which serve as the basis for qualitative and quantitative structural examination using optical microscopy, electron microscopy and image processing. Will be charged on internal/external T&M basis.
Billed according to service provided
Failure analysis
We can draw up a non-binding initial expert opinion to narrow down the range of possible causes of the damage symptoms. Will be charged on T&M basis.
Billed according to service provided