Instruments

Let’s Talk Instrument Calibration Vs. Accuracy Verification

Leave a Comment / Calibration, Coating Inspector Forum, Instruments, Surface Preparation / By

KTA’s Certified Coating Inspector Forum Issue No. 2 – June 2022 KTA’s Certified Coating Inspector Forum is designed to provide continuing education on standards, inspection practices, new instruments, and other topics to help keep certified AMPP and FROSIO coating inspectors current. It is occasionally written blog style, and represents the views of the author and …

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painting coating aluminum substrates

Cleaning and Painting Aluminum Substrates

Leave a Comment / Aluminum Substrates, Inspection, Instruments / By

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 …

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calibration podcast

Podcast #9 – Calibration of Type 2 Electronic Gages

Instruments, Podcast / By

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 …

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coatings inspection instruments calibration

Coating Inspection Instruments: Frequency of Calibration and Accuracy/Functionality Verification

Inspection, Instruments / By

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 …

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quality of coating application leak detector

Localized Assessment of Air Leakage in Building Air Barriers

Buildings, Commercial, Concrete Walls, Inspection, Instruments / By

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 …

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cross hatch tape

Coating Adhesion Testing using Knife/Tape Methods

5 Comments / Coating Standards, Inspection, Instruments / By

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 …

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phased array sectorial s scan

Changes to the 2015 Edition of the AASHTO/AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code

Bridges, Inspection, Instruments, Weathering Steel / By

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 …

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surface profile pitted steel

Surface Profile Measurement Options on Rough/Pitted Steel Surfaces

Bridges, Inspection, Instruments, Steel, Surface Profile / By

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 …

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surface soluble salts

Surface Soluble Salt Measurement – Conductivity Verses Ion-specific Methods of Analysis

Corrosion, Inspection, Instruments, Specifications, Surface Cleanliness, Surface Preparation / By

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., …

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Measuring the Hardness of Applied Coatings

1 Comment / Coatings, Instruments / By

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 …

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