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MPI, the Vancouver-based institute that establishes paint performance standards, will move its coating performance lab testing operation from its Canadian headquarters to KTA-Tator Inc., of Pittsburgh, PA.
The move to a U.S. lab reflects the fact that nearly 90% of MPI’s present testing originates with U.S. paint and raw material manufacturers, said MPI president Barry Law.
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MPI |
| More than 80 coating manufacturers have more than 2,500 product approvals with MPI. |
MPI (Master Painters Institute) has tested proprietary coating products from industry suppliers in its own lab since 1995 to determine if products meet MPI’s performance paint standards and should be listed on MPI’s Approved Products Lists.
MPI will still make all decisions regarding the acceptance of a coating, based on the test data provided by KTA.
Performance-Based Standards
MPI’s performance-based paint standards, Approved Products Lists, and standardized paint systems and specifications are designed for architects, contractors, and facility/property managers who purchase or specify paints and coatings for commercial/architectural structures.
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| MPI has conducted coatings performance testing since 1995. |
The MPI system is used extensively by Canadian and U.S. government and military agencies, including the General Services Administration, NASA, the Veterans Administration; the American Institute of Architects’ MasterSpec program; and thousands of North American designers and facility managers. More than 80 coating manufacturers have more than 2500 product approvals with MPI.
KTA Testing Capabilities
KTA is an Accredited Laboratory for a specified scope of testing (Certificate #2455.01) by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation in accordance with the ISO Standard for Testing and Calibration of Laboratories.
KTA’s analytical and physical testing laboratories work together to conduct independent coatings performance testing and generate test data for associations such as AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) and its National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP), which helps state agencies generate Qualified Products Lists for bridge and highway structures.
KTA’s laboratories conduct a multitude of routine analyses called for in many of MPI’s performance standards, including appearance tests (color difference, gloss retention, hiding and contrast ratio); wet tests; physical properties (chemical spot testing, hardness, resistance to chipping and scrub resistance); and free film testing including tensile/elongation/flexural, and water vapor transmittance.
Failure Analysis, Coating Research
KTA’s coating laboratory provides paint, corrosion, and material testing services including coatings research, compositional analysis, accelerated weathering, cyclic corrosion testing, abrasive performance, and other physical testing, and is also a premier provider of forensic evaluations of coating system failures.
The lab houses a complete supply of test panels and surface preparation and coating application facilities, including a walk-in abrasive blast cleaning room.
Questions about KTA’s laboratory may be directed to Cynthia L. O’Malley, Laboratory Services Manager, at (412) 788-1300, ext. 180, or at comalley@kta.com.
Questions about MPI Approved Products may be directed to Ian Miles, MPI Senior Lab Chemist, at (604) 291-7500 or at ian.miles@mpi.net.
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