Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-099 31 October 2004

Specialized Coatings Tests
Paints and Coatings Standards Committee Members
Barouky, F.F., Chairman
Hammad, B.S., Vice Chairman
Al-Homayed, M.A.
Al-Khashram, M.S.
Al-Nujaim, S.A.
Al-Seba, Z.A.
Suller, A.A.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope....................................................…...... 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations......................…....... 2
3 References.............................................….... 2
4 Limitations...............................................….... 2
5 "Alyeska" Tape Shear Test.......................….. 3
6 Thermal Mechanical Analysis (TMA) Test..... 4

Previous Issue: 29 November 2000 Next Planned Update: 1 November 2007

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 7
Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings 09-SAMSS-099
Issue Date: 31 October 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 November 2007 Specialized Coatings Tests

1 Scope

This Specification describes specialized coatings tests which are referred to in other
Saudi Aramco Standards or Specifications, but for which no suitable or readily
available industry, national, or international test methods exist.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs) or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

Material or equipment supplied to this specification shall comply with the latest edition
of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

Swedish Standards Institute

SIS 05 59 00 Pictorial Surface Preparation Standard for
Painting Steel Surfaces

4 Limitations

4.1 Only the test methods are described in this Specification. Acceptance criteria
and other information relevant to testing specific coatings are given in the
Standard or Specification making reference to these test methods.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings 09-SAMSS-099
Issue Date: 31 October 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 November 2007 Specialized Coatings Tests

4.2 When these tests are performed for initial product qualification or for
compliance verification purposes, the test reports shall be accompanied by
written certification from an independent laboratory that they witnessed and/or
performed the tests, that these tests were performed in accordance with the
methods described below, and that the results were as stated in their report.

5 "Alyeska" Tape Shear Test

5.1 The purpose of this test is to determine if a tape or a heat-shrink sleeve has
adequate resistance to shear stresses that might result from friction between the
coating and the ground during pipe movement. The normal and shear loads
simulate the forces experienced in actual operation due to back-fill and to pipe
movement.

5.2 Sample Preparation

5.2.1 Heat-Shrink Sleeves

5.2.1.1 A strip cut from a heat-shrink sleeve is bonded to a degreased

steel plate by applying a load of 34 kPa (5 psi) and placing in
an oven at the Manufacturer-recommended application
temperature for a minimum of 4 hours. The minimum surface
cleanliness level of the steel plate shall be near white metal,
SIS Sa 2-½, unless specified otherwise. The anchor pattern
shall not exceed 50 micrometers.

5.2.1.2 After removal from the oven, the joint shall remain at room
temperature for one day before testing. The 34 kPa load shall
remain on the test joint during cool down.

5.2.1.3 The bonded strip of heat shrink sleeve shall be trimmed to a

final size of 15.2 cm long by 3.1 cm wide.

5.2.1.4 The test fixture, the coated plate, and the weights are then
conditioned in an oven at the test temperature for 5 hours prior
to testing.

5.2.2 Cold-Applied Tapes

5.2.2.1 A strip of tape 15.2 cm long by 3.1 cm wide is bonded to a

degreased steel plate by applying a load of 34 kPa (5 psi). The
minimum surface cleanliness level of the steel plate shall be a
commercial blast, SIS Sa 2, unless specified otherwise.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings 09-SAMSS-099
Issue Date: 31 October 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 November 2007 Specialized Coatings Tests

5.2.2.2 Primer, if used, shall be applied in accordance with the

Manufacturer's recommendations.

5.2.2.3 Unless otherwise specified, the tape joint shall be immediately

placed in an oven preheated to the intended test temperature
and allowed to cure for a minimum of 20 minutes. The 34 kPa
load shall remain on the test joint during this period.

5.3 Testing

The coated plate is fixed in place on the test fixture. A moveable plate is placed
on top of the coated plate, and a 18.6 kg normal load and a 6.8 kg shear load are
applied to it.
Commentary Note:

The moveable plate has coarse sandpaper (120 grit) bonded to it, rough side
exposed, so that it will not slip on the coating during the test.

A dial indicator, reading to the nearest 0.025 mm is set in contact with the upper,
moveable plate and zeroed immediately prior to applying the shear load.
Readings are taken after 18 hours, 25 hours, and 50 hours and reported to the
nearest 0.025 mm.

5.4 Test Report

The test report shall include the following information:

a) Dimensions of the coating strip to + 0.1 mm
b) Weights used to + 50 g
c) Surface preparation of the steel panels
d) Test temperature, including tolerance
e) Amount of movement after 18, 25, and 50 hours and the time to complete
failure (if it occurs within the 50 hour test period)
f) Name of the product(s) tested
g) Any deviations from the test method

6 Thermal Mechanical Analysis (TMA) Test

6.1 Purpose

This test is used for two purposes:

a) To determine the melting temperature of semi-crystalline adhesives.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings 09-SAMSS-099
Issue Date: 31 October 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 November 2007 Specialized Coatings Tests

b) To determine the softening temperature and the percent retained strength at

elevated temperatures of bituminous type adhesives.

6.2 General

The test method consists of accurately measuring the penetration of an indenter

into the adhesive under a specified contact pressure as a function of temperature.

6.3 Sample Preparation

6.3.1 Semi-Crystalline Adhesives

6.3.1.1 Adhesive samples are pressed into homogeneous slabs

1.0 + 0.1 mm thick at the Manufacturer-recommended
application temperature for the product between teflon-coated
(or similar) plates.

6.3.1.2 The slabs are allowed to cool to room temperature. Then, disks
with a diameter of 6.5 + 0.1 mm are cut out.

6.3.2 Bituminous (or similar) Adhesives

Adhesive samples are pressed at room temperature into homogeneous

slabs 1.0 + 0.1 mm thick and then cut into disks with a diameter of
6.5 + 0.1 mm.

6.4 Testing

6.4.1 An adhesive sample is placed in the test apparatus and the temperature is
brought down to -20°C.

6.4.2 A 20-g load is applied to the adhesive by means of an indenter having a

flat contact face 6.35 + 0.05 mm in diameter. The resulting contact
pressure shall be 6.2 kPa (0.90 psi).

Alternate dimensions and loads may be considered as long as the

specified contact pressure and the volume of adhesive being tested are
maintained.

6.4.3 The temperature is raised at a constant rate until the adhesive is

completely fluid.

6.4.3.1 For semi-crystalline adhesives, the temperature shall be

increased at a rate between 5°C to 10°C per minute.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings 09-SAMSS-099
Issue Date: 31 October 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 November 2007 Specialized Coatings Tests

6.4.3.2 For bituminous adhesives, the temperature shall be increased at

a rate of 10 + 0.5°C per minute. No deviations from this rate
shall be permitted.

6.4.4 The penetration versus test temperature test results shall be continuously
recorded on an x-y graph using a scale large enough to distinguish
temperature differences of 1°C.

6.5 Definitions

Melting Point: For a semi-crystalline adhesive, the temperature at which the

indicated indentation falls below the baseline established by the low temperature
portion of the test.

Softening Point: Same definition as for "melting point" but used with reference
to bituminous adhesives which gradually soften rather than exhibit a distinct
melting point. If the cold portion of the test does not establish a horizontal
baseline, the softening temperature shall be called -20°C.

Percent Retained Strength: A measure of the effect of temperatures above the

melting/softening point on the load carrying capability of an adhesive. It is
calculated for a specific temperature according to the formula below:
d
%R.S. = 1 - (1)
D
where d = amount of indentation (deformation) recorded at the temperature
of interest.

D = total indentation (deformation) recorded when the adhesive is

completely fluid.

6.6 Test Report

The test report shall include the following information:

a) Original or good quality photo reproduction of the deformation versus

temperature curve with the following information marked on the chart:
1) Temperature scale, in at least 2°C intervals
2) Heating rate
3) Product being tested
4) Test date
5) Laboratory conducting the test

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings 09-SAMSS-099
Issue Date: 31 October 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 November 2007 Specialized Coatings Tests

b) Dimensions of the adhesive sample (prior to testing) and of the indenter

used
c) Contact pressure during testing
d) Any deviations from the test method
e) Melting (or softening) point of the adhesive
f) Percent retained strength at any temperature(s) requested

Revision Summary
31 October, 2004 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document and
reissued with no other changes.

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