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Air Temperature, Substrate Temperature, Relative Humidity, Dew Point

PURPOSE
This section provides information on the relationships between air temperature, substrate temperature, relative humidity and dew point and their relevance to successful painting. In general, paints must be applied to dry surfaces and should not be subjected to condensing humidity until sufficiently cured. To allow a safety margin, normally the substrate temperature must be at least 3oC above the dew point. The dew point is the temperature of a given air-water vapour mixture at which condensation starts, since at that temperature the maximum water content of the air is reached. Paint is usually applied at temperatures between about 10oC and 35oC. Most coatings prefer dry conditions and have an upper limit of 85% relative humidity. Coatings also generally require movement of air across the surface to aid in the evaporation of solvents or water, this will ensure proper film formation.

AMBIENT APPLICATION CONDITIONS FOR METAL

INTRODUCTION

DEW POINT DETERMINATION


Example:

Using dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures. A sling psychrometer was used to obtain a wet bulb reading of 17oC and a dry bulb reading of 21oC. The substrate temperature is 19oC. Is the substrate greater or equal to 3oC above the dew point? Depression of wet bulb temperature = dry bulb temperature minus wet bulb temperature = 21 17 = 4oC From the chart, given a dry bulb temperature of 21oC and a depression of wet bulb temperature of 4oC the dew point is 15oC. The substrate temperature is 19oC and the dew point is 15oC (i.e. 4oC higher) therefore conditions are acceptable to paint.

DEW POINT DETERMINATION


Using dry bulb temperature and relative humidity. Example: The ambient temperature is 16oC, at 71% relative humidity and the substrate temperature is 13oC. Are the conditions suitable for painting? From the chart given a dry bulb temperature of 16oC and a relative humidity of 71% the dew point is therefore 11oC Given the substrate temperature of 13oC a dew point of 11oC, painting should not proceed as the substrate temperature is only 2oC above the dew point.

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Air Temperature, Substrate Temperature, Relative Humidity, Dew Point


CHART FOR DETERMINATION OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY & DEW POINT
Dry Bulb Temp 1oC
%RH DP

AMBIENT APPLICATION CONDITIONS FOR METAL

Depression of Wet Bulb Temperature


2oC
%RH DP

(Dry Bulb Temperature minus Wet Bulb Temperature) 3oC 4oC 5oC 6oC 7oC 8oC
%RH DP %RH DP %RH DP %RH DP %RH DP %RH DP

9oC
%RH DP

10oC
%RH DP

5o C 6o C 7o C 8o C 9o C 10oC 11oC 12oC 13oC 14oC 15oC 16oC 17oC 18oC 19oC 20oC 21oC 22oC 23oC 24oC 25oC 26oC 27oC 28oC 29oC 30oC 31oC 32oC 33oC 34oC 35oC 36oC 37oC 38oC 39oC 40oC

86 86 87 87 88 88 88 89 89 90 90 90 90 91 91 91 91 92 92 92 92 92 92 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 94 94 94 94 94

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

72 73 74 75 76 77 77 78 79 79 80 81 81 82 82 83 83 83 84 84 84 85 85 85 86 86 86 86 87 87 87 87 87 88 88 88

0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35 36 37 38

58 60 61 63 64 65 66 68 69 70 71 71 72 73 74 74 75 76 76 77 77 78 78 79 79 79 80 80 80 81 81 81 82 82 82 82

0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

45 47 49 51 53 54 56 57 59 60 62 62 64 65 65 66 67 68 69 69 70 71 71 72 72 73 73 74 74 75 75 76 76 76 77 77

0 1 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

43 46 48 49 51 52 54 55 56 58 59 60 61 62 62 63 64 65 65 66 67 67 68 69 69 70 70 70 71 71 72

1 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 30 30 31 32 33 34

36 37 39 41 43 46 47 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 58 59 59 60 61 62 62 63 64 65 65 65 66 66 67

0 1 3 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 28 28 29 30 31 33

32 35 38 39 41 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 55 56 57 57 58 58 60 60 60 61 61 62

0 2 3 5 6 7 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 27 27 28 29 30 31

32 34 35 37 39 40 42 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 52 53 55 55 55 56 57 57

0 2 3 5 6 8 9 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30

28 30 32 33 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 50 51 51 51 52 53

0 2 4 6 7 10 10 11 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28

33 35 36 37 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 46 47 48 48

8 9 11 12 13 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27

DP=dew point (oC), %RM=% relative humidity

For the most up to date information contact Wattyl Customer Service Hotline or visit the Wattyl Website. CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE WEBSITE

Australia 132 101 http://www.wattyl.com.au

New Zealand 0800 735 551 http://www.wattyl.co.nz

Wattyl is a registered trademark of Wattyl Australia Pty Ltd.


1. This information is important to ensure that the listed Wattyl product(s) perform according to the stated application and uses and must be followed to meet Wattyls warranties express and implied. Wattyl advises that you (a) review the Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) before you use or handle the product; (b) ensure that the product be used only in accordance with the information provided by Wattyl and the product(s) be transported, stored and handled in accordance with the information on the MSDS and relevant TDS; and (c) thoroughly test the product, using the recommended application method on a sample of intended substrate, before using the product. 2. While Wattyl endeavours to update this information and maintain the accuracy and currency of its contents, Wattyl does not warrant that the information provided is current when the product is used or is wholly comprehensive. 3. For all product and non-product related information, Wattyl recommends that you conduct such additional investigations as may be necessary to satisfy yourself of the accuracy, currency and comprehensiveness of the information on which you rely in using and handling the product. If you require further information please contact your nearest Wattyl office before using the product(s). 4. To the full extent permitted by law, Wattyls liability for breach of a condition or warranty implied into the contract for sale between Wattyl and you by law is limited at Wattyls election to: (a) the replacement of the product; or (b) payment of the cost of replacing the product. If coating rectification is required Wattyl Technical Services shall be contacted prior to commencement. WATTYL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (ABN 40 000 035 914)

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