What is ATEX? and how do deal with this in coating rehabilitation or spot repair projects?
What is ATEX ATEX is an acronym that stands for “ATmosphères EXplosibles,” which translates to “Explosive Atmospheres” in English. It refers to a set of European Union directives and standards that are designed to ensure the safety of equipment and systems used in potentially explosive atmospheres. In simple terms, ATEX is all about preventing explosions […]
Innovative Hardness, Strength, and Ductility (HSD) Testing
Our partner Mistras has developed a new technology to test for Hardness, Strength, and Ductility (HSD) Testing. As part of their novel approach to Pipeline material verfi Contrary to existing lab technologies, it is non-destructive field surveying method. It can help pipeline owners to verify the existing material properties of assets (pipelines) in place. Material […]
Sulfidation Corrosion – Everything You Need to Know
Sulfidation corrosion is a type of degradation that occurs when sulfur-bearing compounds react with metal surfaces. In most cases, this reaction leads to the formation of metal sulfides. The resulting metal sulfides are often harder and more brittle than the metal itself, which can cause catastrophic failure in some instances. Sulfidation corrosion is a significant […]
MPI Basics: What is Magnetic Particle Inspection?
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a process that is used to assess the properties of a material without causing any damage. There are many different types of NDT, but one of the most common methods is magnetic particle inspection (MPI). In this blog post, we will discuss what MPI is and how it is used to […]
6 Myths About Chlorides, Salts and Coating performance
Six common myths are presented and analyzed for factual truth and understanding. The reader is cautioned to review articles and other presentations carefully to separate myth from fact. Many specifiers intermix the term “salt” and “chloride.” While most of the salts on metal or concretesurfaces are generally chloride salts, not all salts contain chloride. The […]
Frequently Asked Questions on SSPC VISUAL STANDARDS
It is important to understand that the VIS Guides only describes the pictorial standard and does not constitute the standard. It is to be used for comparative purposes and is not intended to have a direct relationship to a decision regarding painting requirements. SSPC VIS has specified 9 different grades In another article we have […]
Is shear testing a good alternative for adhesion testing?
There are multiple approaches for adhesion testing, but the shear test is an easy and inexpensive way to help determine if the coating system is adhering properly. Especially if there are multiple coatings involved. To follow the method in ASTM D3359, testers will need pressure-sensitive tape and a few of the best practices to ensure […]
Abrasive Blast Cleaning, what is the right pressure?
If you speak to any abrasive blast contractor, they will openly state that the air pressure achieved at the blast nozzle equates to the efficiency of the blast. This in turn equates to time spent on the project which ultimately is measured as cost, either lost or gained on the project. Now the concept is […]
Do I need to test for present salts before coating application?
Yes, you need to verify the presence of salts to prevent osmosis and thus osmotic pressure. This will create blisters or cracks on the coating surface, eventually leading to corrosion of the surface area and possibly, further delamination of the coating. How to test for salts? On any project, what you do is determined by […]
Improved ways of surface profile measurements
3-D surface profile rendering can be an improved alternative for the classical tape based Testex. With this tape based approach, a visual comparator or spring micrometer is required. Surface profile is probably the most critical part of a coating system, it determines for a large part the adhesive bond between the surface and the coating. […]