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A TDS (Technical Data Sheet) is the manufacturer’s technical document for exactly one paint code. If you buy epoxy paint without reading the TDS, you are buying on advertising claims instead of specifications. This article shows how to read a TDS section by section, three checks to run before buying, and four common traps in reading technical documents.
Angle of this article: it only teaches how to read the TDS of a specific product code. The article on standards (KAD-039) covers industry standards in general, while this one covers the document that comes with one specific product. The two complement each other; neither replaces the other.
What is a TDS, and how does it differ from an SDS, CO, and CQ?
| Document | What it is for |
|---|---|
| TDS | Describes the technical performance and application instructions of exactly one product code |
| SDS | Safety information: hazards, storage, incident handling, worker protection |
| CO | Certificate of origin for the batch |
| CQ | Certificate that the goods conform to the published standard |
A TDS does not replace an SDS. One paint code can have an excellent TDS yet still require strict safety measures during application, and vice versa. On delivery, ask for both the TDS and the SDS for the correct code and the correct version.
Reading a TDS by its eight sections
1. Product description and scope of use
This section states which substrates and environments the paint is for, and which cases it is not for. If the scope of use does not mention your environment — for example a damp substrate or a chemical-exposed area — do not assume it can be used there.
2. Composition and mixing ratio
Epoxy paint usually has two components that must be mixed at the manufacturer’s stated ratio. A wrong ratio changes curing, adhesion, and durability. Whether the TDS states the ratio by weight or by volume, and whether it states the pot life after mixing, must both be read carefully.
3. Solids content and film thickness
Solids content by volume states how much of the paint remains as film after drying. Typical dry and wet film thickness state how thick each coat is. These two figures directly determine how many coats are needed to reach the designed thickness.
4. Theoretical coverage and real-world loss
Theoretical coverage is a figure under standard conditions. Real coverage is always lower, because the substrate absorbs paint, the surface is uneven, application methods vary, and there is loss in mixing. Using theoretical coverage as the quantity estimate is the most common mistake in reading a TDS.
5. Drying, recoat, and return-to-service times
These times depend on temperature and humidity. Applying the next coat too soon, or returning the floor to service too soon, can both damage the coating. The construction schedule must be drawn up from the TDS, not drawn up first and then forced onto the TDS.
6. Surface and application conditions
This section states requirements for substrate moisture, cleanliness, roughness, substrate temperature, and ambient temperature. If your substrate does not meet the conditions in the TDS, treat the substrate first or choose a different code, rather than applying and hoping.
7. VOC and test standards
VOC states the level of volatile organic compound emissions, which matters for enclosed areas and environmental requirements. The accompanying test standards state which method each figure was measured by, so you do not compare two figures measured by two different methods.
8. Storage and shelf life
The storage conditions and shelf life in the TDS apply to unopened tins stored correctly. Out-of-date paint, or paint stored incorrectly, can still look normal while its performance has changed.
Three checks before buying
Check thickness against coverage
Does the designed thickness match the number of coats and the coverage stated in the TDS? If thickness must increase, how do the number of coats and the consumption rate change? The answer must be calculable from the TDS of the correct code, plus real-world loss.
Check recoat time against the schedule
Does the interval between coats in the TDS fit your handover plan and your schedule? If the schedule demands coats applied faster than the TDS allows, the plan needs adjusting.
Check substrate and moisture conditions against the TDS
Do your moisture readings and substrate condition fall within the conditions the TDS allows? If not, the substrate treatment or a different product code must be settled before ordering.
Four traps in reading a TDS
- Wrong code: the TDS of a different code, even from the same manufacturer and the same system name, does not apply to the code you are buying. Always match the code on the TDS against the code on the packaging and the invoice.
- Wrong unit: thickness may be stated in mils or microns depending on the document. Misreading the unit throws out the whole coat calculation.
- Ignoring temperature: drying and recoat times change with temperature. A figure at one temperature does not apply to all application conditions.
- Using theoretical coverage as the estimate: quantity estimates must add loss for the substrate and the application method, plus an allowance for patching and repairs.
When signing an installation contract, ask for the TDS of the correct code to be attached to the contract. That locks in three things: the product code, the designed thickness, and the application conditions, instead of leaving the contract to state only a general system name. The RollCoat, LevelFlow, StatGuard, and AquaBase systems all need to be checked against the TDS of the specific code before finalising.
Frequently asked questions
Can another manufacturer’s TDS be used as a reference for my code?
Only as a reference for structure and reading method, not as a substitute for figures. Each code has its own formulation, so another code’s figures do not apply to yours.
Should I buy if there is no TDS?
No, especially for a project that requires acceptance. No TDS for the correct code means no technical basis for checking materials, planning the schedule, or carrying out acceptance.
If an old TDS and a new TDS differ, which one applies?
Take the latest version issued by the manufacturer for the correct code, and keep that version with the contract. If the supplier provides an old version, ask for the updated version before signing.
Does reading the TDS replace a substrate survey?
No. The TDS states the conditions that must be met, while the substrate survey states whether your substrate meets them. The two complement each other.
Next step: send the product code you are considering for guidance on reading the correct TDS for that code via the quotation page or the contact page (Hotline/Zalo 0899355489, WeChat wxid_95o54joujyrr12).
