4.1 This test method provides a reliable means for the determination of the relative amounts of these salts when comparing different lots of the same pigment grade. Water-soluble salts also affect the water resistance and blister resistance of coatings, especially primers for steel. Conductivity measurements, however, cannot be used as the only method to determine and compare the amount of water soluble salts of pigments with the same chemical composition but produced by different manufacturing processes.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the specific resistance of the aqueous leachate from a pigment as an index of water-soluble salt content. This test method is applicable to white pigments and colored pigments (organic and inorganic). The water-soluble salts content is a function of the specific resistance of the solution formed by extracting the pigment with water.
1.2 This test method is based on a water to pigment ratio of 9+1. The leachate yield (minimum 160 mL) sufficient for rinsing the cylinder dip cell and thermometer plus the minimum 80 mL required for the measurement to determine the quantity of pigment to be used.