Accurate Testing
Services for Conformity Assessment and Quality Control
Coatings testing requires knowledge of industry standards, instrument calibration, and operation procedures. Typical testing for protective coatings includes,
- Environmental Conditions
- Surface Preparation
- Coating Application
- Coating Assessment
Field testing is needed for most protective coatings inspections
Testing procedures are determined by the specification requirements, referenced standards, manufacture recommendations, and instrument operating instructions. The testing services listed here are common for most Inspection and Assessment tasks.
The categories of services shown below include a summary list of standards (for reference only) which will detail all aspects of the testing task. An official citation of the standards and links can be found in the Reference tables. This is an overview of all available services which apply to a wide range of coating projects. A specific scope of work can be created according to individual project details. Please see Contact if more information is needed.
Measure ambient conditions during surface preparation and application
Air Temperature
Surface Temperature
Wind Direction and Velocity
Relative Humidity
Dew Point
Measuring Humidity with a Psychrometer – ASTM E337
Dehumidification and Temperature Control – NACE 6A192/SSPC-TR 3
Estimation of the probability of condensation prior to paint application – ISO 8502-4
Abrasive blasting tests
Recycled Abrasive Test
Compressed Air Check
Indicating Oil or Water in Compressed Air – ASTM D4285
Oil in Abrasives – ASTM D7393
Cleanliness of Recycled Ferrous Metallic Abrasives – SSPC AB 2
Tests for steel and concrete
Surface Cleanliness
Profile Measurement
Soluble Salts
Moisture Content
Acidity
Surface Contamination
Assessment of dust on steel surfaces (pressure-sensitive tape method) – ISO 8502-3
Surface Profile of Blast-Cleaned Steel – ASTM D4417
Surface Profile of Blast-Cleaned Steel Using a Replica Tape – NACE SP0287
Steel Profile/Surface Roughness/Peak Count Requirements – SSPC PA 17
Field Methods for Retrieval and Analysis of Soluble Salts on Steel and Other Nonporous Surfaces – SSPC Guide 15
Soluble Salt Testing Frequency and Locations on New Steel Surfaces – SSPC Guide 24
Methods of Validating Equivalence to ISO 8502-9 – NACE SP0508
Measurement of chloride, Ion detection tube method – ISO 8502-5
Extraction of contaminants for analysis, The Bresle method – ISO 8502-6
Conductometric determination of water-soluble salts – ISO 8502-9
Titrimetric determination of water-soluble chloride – ISO 8502-10
Indicating Moisture in Concrete by the Plastic Sheet Method – ASTM D4263
Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Calcium Chloride – ASTM F1869
Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes – ASTM F2170
pH of Chemically Cleaned or Etched Concrete Surfaces – ASTM D4262
Field Determination of Substrate Water Absorption – ASTM F3191
Tests during the application process
Wet Film Thickness (WFT)
Inter-coat Cleanliness
Measurement of Wet Film Thickness by Notch Gages – ASTM D4414
Assessment of dust on steel surfaces (pressure-sensitive tape method) – ISO 8502-3
Field tests for film integrity
Dry Film Thickness (DFT)
Final Cure
Hardness
Discontinuity
Adhesion
Measurement of Dry Film Thickness by Destructive Means – ASTM D4138
Dry Film Thickness Using an Ultrasonic Coating Thickness Gage – ASTM D6132
Dry Film Thickness Applied to Ferrous Metals and Non-Ferrous Metals – ASTM D7091
Determining Conformance to Dry Coating Thickness Requirements – SSPC PA 2
Measurement of Dry Coating Thickness Using Ultrasonic Gages – SSPC PA 9
MEK Resistance of Ethyl Silicate (Inorganic) Zinc-Rich Primers – ASTM D4752
Test Method for Hardness by Means of a Barcol Impressor – ASTM D2583
Standard Test Method for Rubber Property, Durometer Hardness – ASTM D2240
Holiday Detection in Pipeline Coatings – ASTM G62
Continuity Verification of Linings Applied to Concrete Substrates – ASTM D4787
Discontinuity (Holiday) Testing of Protective Coating on Metallic Substrates – ASTM D5162
Discontinuity (Holiday) Testing of New Protective Coatings – NACE SP0188
Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers – ASTM D4541
Pull-Off Adhesion Strength of Coatings on Concrete – ASTM 7234
Tests for coating survey (see Assessment page)
Adhesion by Tape
Dry Film Thickness (DFT) by Destructive Means
Solvent Resistance
Adhesion by Knife
Adhesion by Tape Test – ASTM D3359
Measurement of Dry Film Thickness by Destructive Means – ASTM D4138
Solvent Resistance of Organic Coatings – ASTM D5402
Evaluating Adhesion by Knife – ASTM D6677
Resources
ICI is an online, self-paced course that consists of 8, 30-minute modules introducing the fundamentals of coatings, as well as the purpose and role of a coating inspector on a coatings project. Students may either choose to complete the modules in sequential order or those with more experience or with specif ic interests, may select the modules that would most benefit them in their career.
Module 2: Test Instrumentation
Explain the basic instruments used to monitor environmental conditions, evaluate the level of surface preparation, and measure the thickness of the installed coating film
Our flagship training program for 30+ years, the NACE coating inspection courses set the standard for inspections in the protective coatings industry. Companies worldwide recognize and specify the NACE Coating Inspector Program the most because its comprehensive curriculum produces knowledgeable inspectors who have learned a skillset for fieldwork and a solid coatings foundation that strengthens the industry overall.
https://www.nace.org/education/courses-by-program/coating-inspector-program
Instructions on 50 instruments & test kits for measuring ambient conditions, surface profile, SSPC visual guides, wet & dry film thickness, concrete testing, destructive coating thickness measurement, adhesion, holiday/pinhole detection & hardness. 3rd edition 2012 KTA-Tator, Inc.
Product Number: 38389
Author: By W.D. Corbett
Publication Date: 2012
Completely updated, the 3rd edition includes instructions on the step-by-step use of 50 instruments and test kits for measuring ambient conditions (including electronic psychrometers), surface profile (including two digital depth micrometers and a new procedure for use of replica tape), SSPC visual guides, wet and dry film thickness, concrete testing, destructive coating thickness measurement, adhesion, holiday/pinhole detection and coating hardness. An updated list of surface cleanliness standards, an updated index of industry standards, and a new surface salt extraction and analysis procedure are also included. 2012 by KTA-Tator, Inc., 8-1/2″ x 11″, softbound, 300 pages
https://store.nace.org/using-coatings-inspection-instruments-3rd-edition
Questions?
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding Testing and Measurement, and if you would like to learn more about the NACE Certified Inspector Program see the Information page.