Introduction – Aluminum and aluminum alloys exhibit good corrosion resistance by virtue of a layer of aluminum oxide that forms on the surface. While aluminum is often not coated because of its good corrosion resistance properties, there are occasions when coatings are applied to provide added protection in given environments (e.g., when the pH is …
This video discusses calibration of type 2 electronic inspection gages, and verification of accuracy and adjustment. It provides definitions, tools to adjust/verify, frequently asked questions, and more. Featuring KTA Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bill Corbett, and KTA President, Ken Trimber. The podcast can be watched on Youtube, listened to on Soundcloud, or downloaded on iTunes …
Podcast #9 – Calibration of Type 2 Electronic Gages Read More »
Quality programs frequently require instrumentation used to obtain measurements (to determine conformance to a governing specification) to be calibrated and verified for accuracy, but oftentimes do not provide the frequency or methodology; only that it must be done. This brief article explains calibration, verification of accuracy, and adjustment, and contains a convenient reference table listing …
ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Energy Standard 90.1-2010 and the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code require that building envelopes be designed to limit uncontrolled air leakage into and out of buildings. Air leakage in buildings is controlled at the time of construction by installing air barrier systems. ASTM E1186-17, “Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes …
Localized Assessment of Air Leakage in Building Air Barriers Read More »
Introduction Adhesion is an important physical characteristic of applied coating films and systems, and testing is frequently used as an indicator to whether an adequate bond exists between the substrate and primer (first coat) and/or between coats in multiple coat applications. Adhesion testing may be a requirement of a coating specification, or may be used …
Coating Adhesion Testing using Knife/Tape Methods Read More »
Background/Introduction The AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5 Bridge Welding Code: 2015 published by the American Welding Society (AWS) covers the welding requirements for The American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) welded highway bridges fabricated from carbon and low-alloy constructional steels. This code covers welding fabrication requirements applicable to welded highway bridges. The code is applicable …
Changes to the 2015 Edition of the AASHTO/AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code Read More »
Introduction Surface profile is defined as a measurement of the maximum peak-to-valley depth generated by abrasive blast cleaning and impact-type power tools. These operations effectively increase the surface area and provide an “anchor” for the applied coating system. The surface profile depth must be compatible with the total coating system thickness; typically, the thicker the …
Surface Profile Measurement Options on Rough/Pitted Steel Surfaces Read More »
For many in the health care/fitness industry, BMR is an acronym for basal metabolic rate. Sorry to disappoint if you thought this would be a health science article about expending energy. Rather, this article is about a different BMR: Base Metal Reading. We’ll describe what it is, its significance, how to obtain it, and how …
What is a Base Metal Reading and How Does It Effect Coating Thickness Measurements? Read More »
Chemical contaminants on a surface can include chlorides, ferrous ions, sulfates and nitrates, among other types of soluble salts. Chloride may come from deicing materials or marine/coastal environments, ferrous ions are a by-product of corrosion, sulfates can be airborne, particularly in industrial environments (e.g., coal-fired power plants) and nitrates may come from the soil (e.g., …
Surface Soluble Salt Measurement – Conductivity Verses Ion-specific Methods of Analysis Read More »
Introduction The hardness of a coating material is a relative property that may be interpreted in a variety of ways by different industries that use coating/lining materials. While hardness testing is frequently used to assess the degree of cure, they can also be used to measure hardness properties formulated into coatings. The absolute hardness of …
