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Author: Alex Meyer
Viscosity Reference Chart | Infographic
Viscosity is perceived as 'thickness' or resistance to pouring, but there is more to viscosity than this. All fluids have an internal friction between molecules, which determines how well fluid flows. Due to this internal friction, energy is required to move the liquid and viscosity is the measure of the resistance to flow....
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Author: Elcometer with the help of the School of Materials at The University of Manchester (UK)
The purpose of this test method is to establish equivalence to the Bresle Patch Method for the new Elcometer 130 SSP, as defined by ISO 8502-9. Equivalency is to be determined by testing and comparing results of the Elcometer 130 SSP to the method specified in ISO 8502-9 across a number of salt contaminated steel panels of various blasted profiles...
Author: Jack Arens
Shore Durometer Hardness Scale | Infographic
Hardness may be defined as a material's resistance to permanent Indentation. The durometer scale was defined by Albert Ferdinand Shore, who developed a measurement device to measure Shore hardness in the 1920s. The term durometer is often used to refer to the measurement as well as the instrument itself. Durometer is typically used as a measure of hardness in polymers, elastomers, and rubbers....
Students evaluate a gauge for measuring uncured powder coating thickness
Authors: Joachim Domnick, Denise App, Stefan Staudt, Kevin Widmann
Powder coating technology is studied during the Chemical Engineering/Colour and Paint course at the University of...
Author: John F. Fletcher & Dr R Kattan
ABSTRACT
Over recent years there have been interesting developments in the way marine coatings and linings are specified that have unwittingly resulted in a situation that can make it challenging to meet a paint specification as currently written.
Firstly, there has always been a challenge in meeting a paint specification because of the subjective nature of some of the inspection assessments such as a visual assessment of surface cleanliness, rust and mill scale removal, dust removal, etc.
Author: Melissa Tuchscherer
Another method developed and being utilized for detecting amine blush is based on the presence of the carbamate compounds and not on physical phenomena such as pH. This method has field and lab applications, is quick and easy to use, and does not require expensive pieces of laboratory equipment. The medical field and Homeland Security have several different quick methods to test for carbamates in case of emergency, such as pesticide poisoning or a terror...
Author: John F. Fletcher
OBJECTIVE
This project was initiated to characterize the peel adhesion property of the five samples submitted.
The thickness of sheet metal is commonly specified by a traditional, non-linear measure known as its gauge. Please note that ASTM states in specification ASTM A480-10a "The use of gage number is discouraged as being an archaic term of limited usefulness not having general agreement on meaning."
Author: Joe Walker
Advances in technology have lead to vast changes in Dry Film Thickness (DFT) testing methods. These changes have not only improved the overall user experience and repeatability of measurements, but also have necessitated changes in international standards. Traditionally, industries used both visual and analog devices in conjunction with paper reporting systems to ensure that QA/QC requirements were being met. In the early 1980's, the microprocessor became widely available for application in portable test equipment. Manufacturers...
Joe Walker hit upon his money-making idea by accident - one that caused an estimated $9,000 in damage.
He had just started a new job and was trying to find the best route to his office outside Detroit when he got distracted and sideswiped a van.
Neither one of us wanted insurance involved, so we agreed to get our cars fixed quietly,? Walker explains.
Author: John F. Fletcher & DJ Barnes
Pull-off adhesion testing is widely used to assess the protective coating process. It is also used to determine if a coating is fit for service in new construction and for repairs to existing structures. The result is often critical to the acceptance or rejection of a coating process, as the adhesion value quoted by the paint manufacturer can be adversely affected by aspects of the coating process. Low adhesion values are indicative of premature failure of the coating and are often due to inadequate surface preparation of the substrate.
Author: John Fletcher, Technical Support Manager
The determination of the concentration of soluble salts on a surface prior to the application of paint is a key inspection task for most protective coating processes. The entrapment of soluble salts, particularly on a steel surface can lead to premature coating adhesion failure and corrosion cells being established. This leads to a severe reduction in the expected life of the protective paint system.
SSPC Guide 15 describes the saturate special filter paper conductivity meter methodology amongst others for the retrieval and analysis of soluble salts from steel and other nonporous surfaces. There have been recent developments in the design and features of the equipment available for this specific test.
Abstract
This paper describes the format of the data for a range of gauges used for the coating inspection process including surface profile determination, climatic condition monitoring and coating thickness measurement.
Author: John F. Fletcher, Technical Support Manager
Testing cured coatings for flaws and defects is often a crucial part of the acceptance process for a coating assessed against its specification. This is particularly the case for pipeline and storage tank coatings and for coatings applied for corrosion protection, where discontinuities in the coating can lead to premature failure.
A new software system has been developed to allow a plan to be created for the inspection tasks associated with the coating processes for a steel structure.
When protective coatings are to be applied to structures, it is important that the surface is clean and dry if premature failure of the coating is to be prevented and the full coating service life achieved. In many situations for both new build and repair of structures, blast cleaning of the surface is required to remove contamination and to create an anchor pattern to enhance the adhesion of the coating system to the substrate. The measurement of the profile is important in achieving the specification but also to ensure that the blast cleaning process is in control and not producing inadequate or excessive profile height.
Time is money and the ability to speed up the process of taking and analyzing coating thickness readings will always pay dividends in reducing inspection costs. Scanning an area of painted steel will always be quicker than taking individual readings but there was always the danger of wearing the probe and reducing its life.
There are now probes fitted with a replaceable wearing surface to protect the probe from abrasion wear when using the probe to scan a surface. Simple plastic caps can be fitted to these probes and the thickness of the cap can be taken in to account in the calibration procedure.
In certain protective coating applications, it is vital to test the finished system for flaws and pinholes, as these defects can lead to premature coating failure in service. This is particularly important when the coating is used in an immersion or partial immersion situation such as for tank or pipe linings.
The main technique used for porosity testing of protective coatings is the high voltage test where a probe with a voltage, measured in kilovolts (kV,) is applied to the coating and detections of a flaw results in a flow of current, which can be used to create an alarm.
The measurement of climatic conditions prior to applying a coating is vital to the success of the process, as it is well known that a surface at the dewpoint temperature will have a thin film of moisture over which the paint will be applied. If the surface temperature is within 5 °F (3 °C) of the dewpoint temperature there is a probability of the presence of moisture due to the uncertainty of the measuring devices and the inertia of the surface during warming.
Author: Elcometer USA
In this article we will cover how to conduct a simple and accurate viscosity test with the dip cup. Viscosity measurements are important when checking a products quality and efficiency. The Viscosity of a material is the measurement of its flow. This flow helps determine the proper consistency and can verify product quality. Viscosity tests are used in a variety of industries such as food in order to calculate the right consistency and the painting industry to verify that the product will operate correctly in machinery...
In this article we will cover how to conduct a simple and accurate viscosity test with the flow cup. Viscosity measurements are important when checking a products quality and efficiency. The Viscosity of a material is the measurement of its flow. This flow helps determine the proper consistency and can verify product quality. Viscosity tests are used in a variety of industries such as food in order to calculate the right consistency and the painting industry to verify that the product will operate correctly in machinery...