Characterization of coating resistance

Coating durability testing allows for the evaluation of their mechanical, chemical, and environmental resistance when applied to various substrates. This analysis is essential to guarantee the durability, quality, and performance of coatings used in the materials, packaging, cosmetics, and industrial formulation sectors, such as paints, varnishes, lacquers, and coatings. It ensures that the coating remains stable, adherent, and functional under real-world conditions of use, whether these conditions involve mechanical stress, humidity, abrasion, temperature variations, or exposure to chemical agents.

Importance of analysis

The durability of a coating directly determines the protection of the substrate, the visual appearance of the product, its safety in use, and its lifespan. An insufficiently resistant coating can lead to loss of adhesion, rapid deterioration, the appearance of aesthetic defects, or even the exposure of the underlying material to external aggressions. In cosmetics, the durability of compacted powders or varnishes must be controlled to guarantee product stability. In packaging, the performance of the coating influences the material's resistance, its functionality (barrier, protection), and its compatibility with the contents. In technical materials, it allows for the validation of new coating processes, the control of production batches, or the improvement of existing formulations.

Analytical methods

Several tests can be used depending on the material, the type of coating and the usage constraints:

• Adhesion test (cross-cut, peel test) to measure the adhesion of the coating to its substrate
• scratch test to evaluate resistance to mechanical stress or friction
• Flexural test to analyze the film's resistance to repeated deformations
• abrasion resistance to verify durability against wear
• Chemical tests (solvents, humidity, aggressive agents) to determine the coating's stability
• measurement of brightness, color variation or appearance to analyze aging or aesthetic alteration
• Environmental assessments simulating usage conditions: thermal cycles, UV, humidity, prolonged storage

These tests can be combined to obtain a complete profile of the coating and anticipate its performance under real-world conditions.

Analyzed matrices

The characterization of adhesion concerns a wide range of industrial products: polymer coatings, lacquers, cosmetic varnishes, compacted powders, protective films, technical coatings, food or industrial coatings, paints, and surface treatments. It applies to both raw materials and finished products, allowing for the analysis of the homogeneity, adhesion, and durability of coatings.

Interest for professionals

For manufacturers, formulators, design offices, and R&D teams, coating durability analysis is an essential tool for controlling quality, optimizing application processes, improving formulations, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. It helps reduce the risk of failure, anticipate aging issues, select coatings suited to specific usage constraints, and secure production cycles. Companies in the cosmetics, packaging, materials, and technology sectors rely on these analyses to validate their products, control incoming batches, evaluate performance, and document the durability of applied coatings.

YesWeLab Expertise

YesWeLab works with a network of laboratories specializing in mechanical testing, surface analysis, and materials characterization. The majority of our partners are certified or accredited (ISO 17025, COFRAC), guaranteeing high analytical reliability. Our team assists you in selecting the relevant tests, defining the appropriate protocol, and managing your entire request, from sample submission to results receipt. Since 2020, numerous manufacturers have trusted us to evaluate the performance of their coatings, optimize their formulations, and secure their processes.

Other relevant analyses from the YesWeLab catalogue

• Mechanical tests (tensile, flexural, abrasion)
• Measuring the adhesion of coatings
• FTIR analysis of materials and surfaces
• Accelerated aging studies
• Profilometry and roughness analysis
• SEM observation of coatings