What Does
Tack-free Mean?
Tack-free refers to a coating condition whereby a coating is completely dry with little or no moisture left after application on the surface to be protected.
It may also refer to a coating time parameter used to evaluate the completion of a protective layer application on a metallic surface. It is the time at which a coating is properly adhered and providing maximum protection to the surface.
Corrosionpedia Explains Tack-free
Tack-free time is the period where an applied coating is no longer easily damaged, disrupted or removed and thereby capable of providing all protective benefits.
Knowing the tack-free time of each coating to be applied is particularly useful because this allows for proper maintenance scheduling so as to minimize wait times and optimize personnel efficiency. For example, during plant maintenance shut down, an understanding of the tack-free time is vital to quickly resume plant operations and enhance production.
Certain governing standards for tack-free time may be applied, such as ASTM C679-15: Standard Test Method for Tack-Free Time of Elastomeric Sealants.