Edging out the Competition

Dan Cunningham, director of product development for Air Motion Systems, explains that an MEK (methyl isobutyl ketone) rub test involves using a cotton swab, weighted hammer with a cotton pad, or a “q-tip,” determining the number of “rubs” or strokes that it takes to “break” through the coating. He says abrasion tests may also help, in which an “abrasive pad attached to a weighted arm that is drawn or rotated at a consistent rate until the coating ‘breaks’ or fails. This result is denoted by the number of ‘rubs’ that are achieved.”