TQC Sheen Drying Time Recorder

Accurate Measurement for a Variety of Compounds 

Manufactured by our TQC Sheen paint specialist testing brand, the TQC Sheen Drying Time Recorder AB3600 measures the drying time and curing stages of paint, coating, adhesive and nail polish films using the Beck-Koller method – a needle is drawn across a wet film on a glass bed at a controlled speed, and the pattern the needle leaves reveals the transition points from set-to-touch through surface-dry to through-dry. 

Used by paints and coatings QC laboratories verifying drying time specifications, paint manufacturers running batch consistency checks, printing ink producers, adhesive manufacturers (including reactive and waterborne adhesives), and cosmetics QC labs (nail polish, cosmetic coatings), the AB3600 supports Drying Testing to a range of international standards and delivers a full drying curve for comprehensive R&D and QC analysis. 

An extended time frame of 1 minute to 200 hours covers everything from fast-drying nail polishes and touch-up paints through to slow-cure protective coatings. The instrument operates across -20°C to +70°C without a lubricated drive train, so cold-room and elevated-temperature drying studies both work. A heated LCD display stays readable in cold environments, and reusable glass beds keep per-test consumable cost low.

Why it matters

Defensible drying time data to international standards. The AB3600 supports ASTM D5895, ISO 9117-4 and DIN EN 14022 – so drying time results for paints, coatings and reactive adhesives are traceable, repeatable and defensible under customer, regulatory and internal quality audits. 

Six parallel tracks and a 1 minute to 200 hour range. Six drying-time tracks run in parallel on the same glass bed, so formulators comparing new binders, catalysts or thinners against a control get side-by-side results in one instrument, in one run. The 1 minute to 200 hour range covers fast-drying inks and nail polishes through to slow-cure protective coatings without a separate short-run and long-run instrument. 

Reliable operation from -20°C to +70°C. A lubricant-free drive system eliminates the risk of lubricant thickening at low temperatures, and a heated LCD display stays readable in cold environments – so drying time studies in refrigerated storage conditions, unheated warehouses, or elevated-temperature curing chambers all work without gauge failures or unreadable displays.

How the Beck-Koller method works

The Beck-Koller method is the internationally accepted way of measuring the drying stages of a paint or coating film: 

• A wet coating film is applied to a glass strip (reusable glass beds are supplied). 
• The glass strip is placed on the AB3600 and a needle is drawn slowly across the film at a controlled speed for the duration of the test. 
• Test length can be set from 1 minute up to 200 hours, with time accuracy better than 1 percent of set time. 
• As the coating passes through set-to-touch, surface-dry, dry-hard and through-dry stages, the needle leaves a characteristic pattern in the film that identifies each transition point. 
• Six tracks can be run in parallel on the standard triple-track glass bed (2 x triple-track supplied), for six simultaneous drying curves. A narrow six-solo-track glass bed is available as an alternative. 

Force per needle is 3.5 g / 0.035 N with the standard needle. Additional 5 g weights (six supplied) let you increase the load for thicker films or harder coatings. Custom glass beds up to 200 x 8 x 400 mm are supported for specialized formats. 

Versatile for Different Environmental Conditions 

This versatile instrument is designed to adapt to a wide variety of environmental conditions. It operates within a temperature range of -20°C to +70°C, making it ideal for use in both hot and cold environments.   

Its lubricant-free drive system eliminates the risk of lubricant thickening at low temperatures, ensuring reliable performance even in extremely cold conditions.   

Additionally, the heated display allows you to monitor results effectively, even in the most challenging environments.  

Testing to international standards

The TQC Sheen Drying Time Recorder is fully compliant with the following international standards for drying time and film curing tests: 

• ASTM D5895 – Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Drying or Curing During Film Formation of Organic Coatings Using Mechanical Recorders. 
• ISO 9117-4 – Paints and varnishes: Drying tests – Part 4: Test using a mechanical recorder. 
• DIN EN 14022 – Structural adhesives: Determination of the open time of adhesives.

Related Products for Drying Time Recording 

Genuine TQC Sheen spares and accessories keep the AB3600 running: 

• spare weights (AB3603) – 5 g weights for additional needle loading when testing thicker films or harder coatings. 
• spare needles (AB3604) – replacement 2 mm diameter, 1 mm radius needles for routine wear replacement. 
• Reusable glass beds (standard 2 x triple-track 305 x 100 x 3 mm supplied; narrow 6 x solo-track alternative available; custom beds up to 200 x 8 x 400 mm supported) – order additional or replacement beds through your TQC Sheen contact. 

Enhance Your Knowledge with Resources

We’re committed to sharing our expertise with you. For more in-depth information about the drying time recorder process, check out our FAQ blog on drying time recorder testing. You’ll find valuable insights and answers to frequently asked questions to help you optimize your testing procedures.  

What happens after you enquire

When you enquire about the TQC Sheen Drying Time Recorder, our TQC Sheen specialists will confirm which coatings or adhesives you typically test, which standards apply to your work (ASTM D5895, ISO 9117-4, DIN EN 14022, or a combination), whether you need standard triple-track or narrow six-solo-track glass beds, and any additional weights required for thicker films or harder coatings. 

For purchasing teams, we provide the SKU (AB3600), quotation turnaround and the technical documentation you need for internal sign-off. The AB3600 is dispatched within 4 weeks – build the lead time into your project schedule.

Service, warranty and ongoing support

Every TQC Sheen Drying Time Recorder is supplied with a 1 year parts and labour warranty as standard – our Industrial Physics group commitment across all brands. Ongoing support focuses on replacement needles (routine wear item), additional weights for thicker films, and reusable glass beds. To arrange service, order spares or discuss custom glass bed dimensions, contact our support team. 

Beyond the warranty period, the Industrial Physics global service network provides advice on interpreting drying curves against Beck-Koller stages, matching needle loading to your coating film thickness, and integrating the AB3600 into a documented drying time verification workflow – so the instrument stays useful across new coating formulations and standard revisions.