What is described as the temperature at which condensation begins to form on a substrate?

The temperature at which condensation begins to form on a substrate is referred to as the dew point. This is a critical concept in coatings inspection and application because it indicates the temperature at which moisture in the air will begin to condense into liquid water on surfaces. Understanding the dew point is essential for ensuring proper conditions during coating application, as applying coatings when the surface temperature is at or below this point can lead to issues such as poor adhesion or premature failure of the coating due to moisture interference.

While other temperatures such as the boiling point and freezing point are important in their own rights (the boiling point being where a liquid transitions to gas and the freezing point being where a liquid becomes solid), they do not directly relate to the formation of condensation on substrates. The term "condensation point" is also not standard in this context, as the scientific acceptance generally utilizes "dew point" for the specific phenomenon of condensation formation. Thus, the dew point is the correct term associated with the onset of condensation on a substrate.