Coating & Paint Analysis with Material Characterisation
Uncover the complete composition of coatings and paints—from binders and pigments to solvents and additives. Our analytical services provide detailed insights to support establishing technical benchmarks , performance enhancement, and regulatory compliance
- Full Ingredient Breakdown：We identify binders, pigments, solvents, and additives — so you know exactly what's inside. → Helps benchmark or improve existing products confidently.
- Formulation Analysis：Expertise We reconstruct coating formulas with precision. → Enables cost-effective product development or competitive benchmarking.
- Regulatory & VOC Compliance：Support We detect restricted or high-VOC components. → Helps you meet global environmental and safety standards.
- Performance-Linked：Testing We connect formula details to real-world performance (adhesion, gloss, hardness, etc.). → Ensures your coatings work as expected in end-use conditions.
- Assess Regulatory Readiness: Formulation Risk Management We suggest alternatives to high-risk or restricted ingredients and structures. → Protects your business from unforeseen technical and compliance risks
Gain Deep Compositional Insight — and Turn Data into Innovation
We analyse the complete formulation of paints and coatings, identifying resins, pigments, solvents, and additives down to the fine details. Whether you’re establishing a critical technical benchmark , improving durability, removing restricted substances, or optimising cost, our analytical and testing services provide clarity to advance formulation development safely.
We identify and quantify all key components in coatings and paints — including binders, pigments, solvents, and functional additives — while also testing key performance factors such as gloss, adhesion, and durability.
We conduct thorough analyses to identify and quantify:
Binders & Resins: Acrylics, epoxies, polyurethanes, alkyds, and more.
Pigments & Fillers: Organic/inorganic pigments, extenders, and opacifiers.
Solvents & Carriers: VOC profiling, water-based systems, and solvent blends.
Additives: Dispersants, defoamers, UV stabilizers, rheology modifiers.
Performance Metrics: Viscosity, gloss, hardness, adhesion, and curing behavior.
We deconstruct complex coating formulations to reveal every ingredient and its function. Whether you’re validating a technical benchmark, modifying your product for local compliance, or optimizing cost and performance, we deliver actionable insights backed by lab data.
Our composition analysis services enable you to:
Validate Performance Benchmarks: Deconstruct formulations to establish key technical parameters for R&D validation and market differentiation.
Optimize Existing Formulations: Enhance performance, reduce costs, or adapt to new material requirements.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Modify formulations to meet strict environmental and safety standards (e.g., VOC/REACH).
Support Formulation Innovation: Develop unique, superior formulations driven by analytical data and proprietary R&D goals.
From automotive and construction to consumer goods and marine applications, we support a wide range of industries where coating quality and consistency matter. Our testing helps improve product reliability, safety, and market competitiveness.
Our services cater to a wide range of industries, including:
Automotive: OEM coatings, refinishes, underbody protection.
Construction: Architectural paints, protective coatings, sealants.
Aerospace: High-performance coatings, corrosion resistance.
Marine: Anti-fouling paints, hull coatings, deck finishes.
Consumer Goods: Appliance coatings, decorative finishes.
Analytical Techniques
Our coating analysis relies on a suite of advanced laboratory tools designed to uncover both the composition and functional behavior of each sample. From molecular structure to thermal stability and surface morphology, we use precise techniques to understand how each component contributes to the final performance of the coating or paint.
We utilize advanced analytical methods, such as:
- Spectroscopy: FTIR, UV-Vis, NMR for molecular identification.
- Chromatography: GC-MS, LC-MS for component separation and quantification.
- Thermal Analysis: TGA, DSC for thermal stability and curing behavior.
- Microscopy: SEM, TEM for surface morphology and layer structure.
- Mechanical Testing: Hardness, adhesion, flexibility, and impact resistance.
Typical Testing Scenarios
We work with clients across industries to solve formulation challenges, improve product performance, and support R&D. Whether you’re investigating a coating failure, establishing a critical technical benchmark or adapting to new regulations, our analysis provides the clarity needed to move forward with confidence.”
Common scenarios where our services provide value:
- Compositional Insight: Understanding Key Parameters for Formulation Enhancement.
- Performance Issues: Investigating failures like peeling, blistering, or discoloration.
- Regulatory Changes: Adapting formulations to comply with new regulations.
- Cost Reduction: Identifying opportunities to lower material costs without compromising quality.
- Supplier Changes: Ensuring consistency when switching raw material suppliers.
Conclusion & Insights
Solving Coating Industry Challenges with Smart Chemistry
From waterproofing failures to mismatched color stability and poorly dispersed pigments, small and mid-sized coating manufacturers often lack the resources to diagnose and solve complex formulation issues. At Labsure, we help regional coating businesses optimize performance, comply with technical specifications, and lower costs—through advanced compositional analysis, material diagnostics, and tailored formulation support.
Restoring Waterproofing Performance in Harsh Western Conditions
A small Perth-based waterproofing coating manufacturer faced customer complaints about peeling and poor adhesion, especially after heavy rain exposure. Internal staff suspected a formulation flaw but couldn’t pinpoint the issue.
- Identified incorrect polymer ratios using formulation analysis.
- Discovered low molecular weight additives causing film brittleness.
- Adjusted polymer binder and plasticizer composition to improve flexibility.
- Conducted water-resistance and cross-hatch adhesion testing to validate new formula.
Fixing Color Inconsistency in Water-Based Interior Paints
A regional paint producer outside Melbourne struggled with shade inconsistencies across batches of interior wall paint. Even after following the same mixing process, customers noticed color mismatches after drying.
- Detected pigment flocculation during storage through accelerated stability testing.
- Recommended dispersant change to prevent pigment clustering.
- Added co-solvent and wetting agent to improve dispersion uniformity.
- Standardized mixing sequence and time with lab-to-plant transfer protocol.
Eliminating Premature Rusting in Budget Metal Coatings
A small-scale industrial coating producer near Brisbane reported early rust development in their outdoor metal primer within just 6 months of application.
- Performed corrosion analysis and salt spray testing—found insufficient anti-corrosive additive dosage.
- Swapped generic zinc phosphate with modified zinc molybdate for stronger protection.
- Adjusted pigment volume concentration (PVC) to improve barrier effect.
- Introduced a two-layer system: primer + topcoat with balanced film thickness.
