Coating test procedures

Soil resistivity The role of soil in the electrical circuitry of corrosion is now apparent. Thus the conductivity of the soil represents an important parameter. Soil resistivity has probably been more widely used than any other test procedure. Opinions of experts vary somewhat as to the actual values in terms of ohm centimetres which relate to metal-loss rates. The extended study of the US Bureau of Standards presents a mass of data with soil-resistivity values given. A weakness of the resistivity procedure is that it neither indicates variations in aeration and pH of the soil, nor microbial activity in terms of coating deterioration or corrosion under anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, as shown by Costanzo rainfall fluctuations markedly affect readings. Despite its short comings, however, this procedure represents a valuable survey method. Scott points out the value of multiple data and the statistical nature of the resistivity readings as related to corrosion rates (see also Chapter 10). 

Testing of metals for resistance to sulphide stress cracking at ambient temperatures Accelerated test procedures for screening atmospheric surface coating systems for offshore platforms and equipment... 

The Ph Eur test procedure for gastroresistance should be applied. Two media should be used, e.g., at pH 2 for one hour to detect possible damage to the gastroresistant coating and to detect active ingredient diffusion (with a limits of 10% release of active ingredient) and at pH 6.8 to simulate transfer to the intestinal segment (with complete release). Biostudy results should be reported to confirm acceptable in vivo performance. 

Test Procedures. Coatings were tested by the following procedures. For crosshatch adhesion, ASTM-D3359, a special scribe was employed which had 11 sharp points spaced approximately 1 mm apart. The film was scored twice with this tool so that scratches were perpendicular. Special tape was then placed firmly over the scored area and pulled off. The number of squares of film coating remaining were counted, and this provided a numerical basis for measuring surface adhesion. No squares are removed for a satisfactory coating. 

Standard Test Procedure for Flame Coatings Applied to Insulated Cables in Trays, 1993. 

Accelerated Corrosion Tests. There are as many as a dozen methods (salt fog, Kesternich, etc.) that are currently being used to investigate corrosion resistance of coating systems and a need to develop a better and more dependable method to predict in-use service. A severe drawback of all these tests is that their results often compare unsatisfactorily with practical experience. One reason for the discrepancies is assumed to be the variability of natural exposure conditions. Accordingly, cyclic testing procedures have been developed with which exposure conditions, especially temperature and humidity. 

Polymer films of approximately 1000 microns wet film thickness were laid down with a bar applicator on PTFE coated glass panels and the solvent allowed to evaporate at ambient temperature for a standard period of seven days. A typical plot of solvent weight loss with time is shown in Figure 2. The thickness of the wet film was dictated by the need to have adequate mechanical strength in the dry films in order that they might be suitable for subsequent mechanical test procedures. Dry film thicknesses were approximately 300 microns as measured by micrometer. The dried polymer films were examined by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) (Polymer Laboratories Ltd.). Typical DMTA data for a polymer and paint are... 

Testing procedure In general, standard methods were used, with some improvements to obtain better resolution. A photoacoustic detector was used to obtain spectra of fumed silica. A carbon black background was used. In studies of adhesion of coatings on metal substrates, a gold coated background was used as the reference. 4 Diffuse respectra, and kaolin. 2 A... 

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