Ambient Temperature monitoring
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About Ambient Monitoring
The guidelines that need to be maintained are present on almost all product data sheets. For example, many product data sheets advise Painters not to apply coatings when the relative humidity (RH) is above 85% or when the dew point is less than 3 degrees Celsius above the surface temperature.
Importance of environmental conditions
Optimal environmental conditions are essential for surface preparation, application, and curing of coatings and linings to maximize successful performance. Here we present the five environmental conditions that should be observed and measured and the effect each condition has on a successful job.
Surface preparation and the application of coatings and linings should be performed under optimum environmental conditions to help prevent failures. A variety of instruments are available to measure the five conditions that should be observed and tracked:
Air temperature
Surface temperature
Relative humidity (RH)
Dew point temperature
The difference between the surface and dew point temperatures
It is commonly known that most coatings will not dry properly at low temperatures and high relative humidity (RH). Less understood is the impact surface moisture has on the life and performance of materials.
Moisture forms on a surface when warmer, moist air comes into contact with it—a process called condensation. Moisture will cause unprotected steel to rust. Trapped between a coating and a substrate, moisture will likely cause the applied system to fail prematurely.
Light condensation on blasted surfaces can be difficult to observe. Rather than detect this moisture, instruments are used to help assess the risk of moisture forming in the first place. Tests should be performed to calculate the dew-point temperature before, during, and after the coating process. Dew point temperature should be compared to the surface temperature to ensure the two are far enough apart that moisture formation is unlikely.
Careful observation of atmospheric conditions and a good understanding of their impact on the quality and long-term health of coating and lining applications are important to all contractors and inspectors.
How do Environmental Conditions Affect Coating and Paint Performance?
Air and Surface Temperatures
The first parameters necessary to assess the risk of moisture formation on a substrate are the temperature of the surface to be prepared or coated and the temperature of the air near that surface. At night, steelwork usually radiates heat and is cooled below air temperature. During the day, it absorbs heat and is usually warmer than the air temperature.
Since surface temperature is often different from air temperature, especially for work performed outside, both temperatures should be measured to avoid application problems should air or steel temperatures become too hot or too cold for satisfactory film formation. Application at incorrect temperatures can cause defects such as blistering, pinholing, cratering, dry spray & mud cracking. The coating manufacturer should specify the maximum and minimum surface temperatures for applying a coating.
ASTM D3276, “Standard Guide for Painting Inspectors (Metal Substrates),”1 states that the minimum surface temperature for coating application is usually 40ºF (5ºC). It may be as low as 0ºF (–18ºC) for “cold-curing” one or two-component systems or 50ºF (10ºC) for conventional two-component systems. Paint specifications may further state that painting should not be undertaken when the temperature is dropping and within 5ºF (3ºC) of the lower limit.
The maximum surface temperature for coating application is typically 125ºF (50ºC) unless specified otherwise. A surface that is too hot may cause the coating solvents to evaporate so fast that application is difficult, blistering takes place, or a porous film results.
Relative Humidity (%RH)
Cure rates are directly affected by RH—the amount of moisture in the air expressed as a percentage of the total amount (saturation) possible at a given temperature. Moisture-laden air cannot hold as much solvent as dry air. Therefore, high RH can retard the rate of solvent evaporation. For this reason, the maximum RH at which coatings or linings can be applied and cured is generally set at 85%. Some coatings, however, require moisture to cure. Therefore, it is important to check the specifications of the coating.
Dew Point Temperature
The dew-point temperature is the temperature at which moisture will begin to form on a steel surface. It is the temperature to which a volume of air must be cooled to reach saturation. It is a function of air temperature and the RH.
Ts-Td (Delta) Difference Between Dew Point and Surface Temperatures
The final parameter to note is the amount of separation between the surface temperature and the dew-point temperature. Moisture will likely form if they are the same. Even if they are close, the risk of moisture forming may be unacceptably high. Documents such as ASTM D3276 and the international standard ISO 8502-4_2_ states that the surface temperature must be a minimum of 5ºF (3ºC) above the dew-point temperature during the critical 3 phases of coating: preparation, application, and cure. This minimum separation also helps allow for surface temperature reduction as solvents evaporate or when cold coating materials are applied.
Our process
our coating inspection process
We have a tried and true methodology for assessing and prevention corrosion through our ISO-standardized and client-customized workflow.
01.
Survey
A maintenance survey determines the coating conditions of a surface. Surveys are used to create a maintenance schedule for re-coating and touch-up applications.
02.
Testing
The Coating Inspector performs testing for a wide range of coating applications. We test for conformity, compatibility, performance, coat thickness, hardness, adhesion, and finishes.
03.
Recommendations
Once testing has been completed, we provide our detailed recommendations in a report. This ensures that all aspects of the survey are considered and addressed.
04.
Coating Specifications
All jobs are conducted according to industry standards: NACE/AMPP, ISO 9001:2015 and CSA/SSPC in Canada, ASTM and ISO for international clients.
05.
our team
The Coating Inspector works with contractors, owners, and engineers. We are a third party unbiased leader in the provision of professional coating inspection services.
06.
blasting & painting
The Coating Inspector provides supervision and project management in the sandblasting, painting and coatings industry.
Our Services
We check industrial equipment to ensure protective coatings were correctly applied to minimize corrosion risk. Our inspectors go through rigorous training to identify problems in coating applications. They can make recommendations for which types of coatings can best protect the materials from corroding.
A coatings survey provides a sense of how a coating is currently performing and identifies any problems that need to be addressed immediately. The survey provides the next steps to be undertaken. Surveys are a necessary part of an ongoing maintenance plan and should be performed on a regular basis.
This is the qualitative test of the adhesion coating system. This test will only give allow to ensure there is an adequate bond to the coated substrate. This test does not differentiate between levels of bonding. Adhesion testing is used to evaluate the adhesion to the substrate, in between coats, and internal film.
To determine the quality of the protective coating our inspector will measure dry film thickness or DFT. Considered one of the most important tests an inspector can make. DFT test serves as a foundation for the entire coating inspection,.
We create custom maintenance programs that identify areas to be surveyed, the level of detail required, and manpower that will be required to execute. We determine the data that will be taken and format to be used to ensure consistent judging criteria.
The Coating Inspector can conduct a non-destructive High Voltage Holiday Testing to find any voids and failures. This is possible due to electrical charge that flows through protective coating. Invest in hiring one of the top-rated AMPP inspectors in the world.
Choose The Coating Inspector
Certified Coatings Inspectors are trained, and have the equipment required, to monitor these conditions and ensure everything is within an acceptable level. Ambient condition monitoring is critical to maintaining the lifespan of the coating and avoiding costly coating failures.
why us
Hire the Right Coating Inspector in Canada
Do you have existing corrosion, or are looking to prevent costly equipment failure? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us today to get a consultation.
What sets the coating inspector apart?
The Coating Inspector is ISO certified, something few competitors can offer. We also have extensive reviews, decades of combined experience and the most highly trained coating inspectors in the industry.
What is an ISO Certification?
“Certification to ISO 45001 demonstrates an organisations commitment to a safer working environment and the protection of employees against injury at work.
ISO 45001 certified organisations have identified and operate to regulatory requirements through enforcing procedures for compliance with legislation. Improved identification of hazards and risk management, involving all levels of the organisation through setting objectives, targets and documented responsibilities are recognised by regulators as a commitment to safe working conditions and continuous improvement.”
Source: https://www.qas-international….
Compliance
QAS ISO certifies strict compliance procedures to legislative and standard compliances.
Service
We have been certified in continuous improvement and service to our compliance.
Commitment
We are commited to impeccable client service & employee safety.
What is nace/ampp?
The AMPP (Formerly know as The National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)) is a globally recognized certification body to certify and train corrosion engineers.
With over 36,000 members globally, it is the most recognized trade association of corrosion inspectors to ensure industry standards in the coating inspection industry.
Established in 1943, it serves to train corrosion inspectors, enforce industry standards, certify engineers, publish and research corrosion inspection techniques and journals, as well as provide a standardized approach to corrosion inspection and prevention.
NACE “equips society to protect people, assets and the environment from the adverse effects of corrosion.”
How much does coating inspection cost?
Every project, business and industrial assets are unique. Depending on the scope of work, location and amount of inspectors or work hours required for your project, the cost can vary.
However, The Coating Inspector is committed to saving your business time, money and assets. The cost of equipment breakdown, shutdown or repair delays can cost your business far more resources than preventative maintenance, work and inspection.
what is the process?
Call, email or contact us via the form below with a bit more of information about your business. From there we’ll consult with you regarding your unique corrosion prevention requirements.
From there we’ll provide you a comprehensive quote and scope of work, and then begin working together with you to keep your facility and equipment in top working area.
what areas do you service?
Primarily all across Canada and globally (depending on the project).