Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-069
21 March 2012
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service
Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents
1

Scope.......................................................... 2

Conflicts and Deviations............................. 2

References................................................. 3

General Requirements................................ 4

Qualification Tests and Requirements........ 5

Method of Packaging................................... 10

Previous Issue: 24 July 2011 Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin
Primary contact: Mansour, Mana Hamad on 966-3-880-9557
CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2012. All rights reserved.

Page 1 of 10

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Issue Date: 21 March 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017

09-SAMSS-069
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service

Scope
This Specification defines the minimum mandatory requirements for qualifying
individual coating products for use in Saudi Aramco's approved protective coating
systems APCS-1A through APCS-1F. It shall be used when any of the following
situations occur:
1.1

Initial Product Approval

This specification shall be given to coating manufacturers, or other vendors of
coating products, that wish to obtain initial approval for products that have not
previously been qualified in accordance with this specification.

1.2

Purchase Requisitions/Purchase Orders

This specification shall be attached to Purchase Requisitions or Purchase Orders
when those documents address the procurement of coating products that have
not been previously qualified in accordance with this specification.
This specification does not apply and should not be included with Purchase
orders or requisitions for coating products that have been previously qualified
per this specification. This specification should also not be included with
purchase orders or requisitions for coated items or equipment when a Saudi
Aramco approved protective coating system has been specified.

1.3

Periodic Product Compliance Checks

This specification may be used for periodic product compliance checks on
previously approved coatings. It shall be given to the organization conducting
the compliance tests.

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.

Page 2 of 10

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Issue Date: 21 March 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017

09-SAMSS-069
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service

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

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

09-SAMSS-060

Packaging Requirements for Coatings

09-SAMSS-071

Inorganic Zinc Primer

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

3.2

SAES-H-001

APCS-1A Epoxy Coating System for Atmospheric

Service (with Inorganic Zinc Primer)

SAES-H-001

APCS-1B Epoxy Coating System for Atmospheric

Service (with Epoxy Primer)

SAES-H-001

APCS-1C Epoxy Coating System for Atmospheric

Service (with Zinc-rich Epoxy Primer)

SAES-H-001

APCS-1D Epoxy/Polyurethane Coating System for

Atmospheric Services (with Inorganic Zinc
Primer)

SAES-H-001

APCS-1E Epoxy/Polyurethane Coating System for

Atmospheric Service (with Epoxy Primer)

SAES-H-001

APCS-1F Epoxy/Polyurethane Coating System for

Atmospheric Service (with Zinc-Rich Epoxy
Primer)

Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials
ASTM A36

Structural Steel

ASTM B117

Salt Spray (Fog) Testing

ASTM D16

Definition of Terms Relating to Paints, Varnishes,

Lacquers and Related Products

ASTM D523

Specular Gloss
Page 3 of 10

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Issue Date: 21 March 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017

09-SAMSS-069
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service

ASTM D610

Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel

Surfaces

ASTM D660

Evaluating Degree of Checking of Exterior Paints

ASTM D661

Evaluating Degree of Cracking of Exterior Paints

ASTM D714

Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints

ASTM D822

Operating Light-and-Water Exposure Apparatus

(Carbon-Arc Type) for Testing Paint, Varnish,
Lacquer, and Related Products

ASTM D1640

Drying, Curing or Film Formation of Organic

Coatings at Room Temperature

ASTM D1654

Method for Evaluation of Painted or Coated

Specimens Subjected to Corrosive Environments

ASTM D1849

Package Stability of Paint

ASTM D2805

Hiding Power of Paints

ASTM G26

Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus (Xenon-Arc

Type) With and Without Water for Exposure of
Nonmetallic Materials

The Society for Protective Coatings

SSPC PA2

Measurement of Dry Paint Thickness with Magnetic

Gages

SSPC PAINT 20

Zinc-rich Primers (Type II, Organic)

SSPC PAINT 22

Epoxy-Polyamide Paints (Primer, Intermediate, and

Topcoat) dated November 1, 1982

SSPC VIS 1

Pictorial Surface Preparation Standards for

Painting Steel Surfaces

Swedish Standard SIS 055900-Pictorial Surface Preparation Standard for

Painting Steel Structures:
Sa 2-1/2
4

Very Thorough Blast Cleaning

General Requirements
4.1

For purposes of this specification, the Buyer's Representative shall be the

Responsible Standardization Agency Representative (RSA).

4.2

In order to qualify a coating system as acceptable under this specification, the

coating supplier shall submit a certified test report documenting that the
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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Issue Date: 21 March 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017

09-SAMSS-069
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service

proposed coating system meets the qualification tests and requirements of this
SAMSS. Preparation and testing shall be performed and/or witnessed by an
independent laboratory or inspection agency. This report shall be submitted to
the Saudi Aramco RSA for review. The RSA shall decide if the data presented
by the Supplier satisfies all the requirements.
4.3

All initial product qualification tests shall be carried out at no cost to Saudi
Aramco.

Qualification Tests and Requirements

5.1

Tests Applicable to Specific Generic Types of Coatings

5.1.1

Epoxy coatings (except zinc-rich primers) supplied in accordance with

this Specification shall meet the requirements of SSPC PAINT 22 except
as modified below:
a)

Paragraphs 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4: Should read percent by weight, not
percent by volume.

b)

Paragraph 4.3, Composition: Base component of topcoats need not

contain anti-corrosion pigments.

c)

Paragraph 5.5, Pot Life: Shall be replaced by paragraph 5.2.3 of

this Specification.

d)

Paragraph 5.7, Test Panels: Shall be replaced by paragraph 5.3 of

this Specification.

e)

Paragraph 5.8, Elcometer Adhesion Test: Shall be replaced by

paragraph 5.4.2 of this Specification.

f)

Paragraph 5.9, Salt Spray Resistance: Shall be replaced by

paragraph 5.4.1 of this Specification.

g)

Paragraph 6, Labeling: Shall be replaced by section 6 of this

Specification.

h)

Paragraphs 7 (Inspection) and 8 (Safety): Delete requirements.

5.1.2

Zinc-rich epoxy primers for APCS-1C and APCS-1F, in addition to

meeting the requirements of Section 5.2, shall meet the requirements of
paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of SSPC PAINT 20 (Type II, Organic).
The vehicle shall be a catalyzed epoxy

5.1.3

Inorganic zinc silicate primers for APCS-1A and APCS-1D shall meet
the requirements of 09-SAMSS-071.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Issue Date: 21 March 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017

5.1.4

5.2

09-SAMSS-069
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service

Urethane coatings supplied in accordance with this Specification shall be

Type V Polyol-cured Aliphatic as defined in ASTM D16.
a)

Specular gloss of the urethane coatings, when tested at a 60 degrees

angle in accordance with ASTM D523, shall be at least 85.

b)

When tested in accordance with ASTM D2805, the minimum

contrast ratio of the polyurethane coating shall be 0.94 except for
red colors which shall be 0.88 minimum.

Physical Property Tests Applicable to All APCSs

5.2.1

Package Stability of Paint

When stored at 52 1C for 6 months in accordance with ASTM D1849,
the sample shall meet the following requirements:

5.2.2

a)

Weight loss 0.

b)

Skinning, pressure and corrosion 10.

c)

Settling 6 or better.

d)

Grains, lumps, or streaks 8 or better.

Spray Properties
The ready mixed paint shall be easily applied to a vertical surface at the
following dry film thicknesses with no tendency to orange peel, sag,
creep or run:
Inorganic zinc
(APCS-1A and APCS-1D)

See 09-SAMSS-071

Zinc-rich epoxy primers

(APCS-1C and APCS-1F)

75 micrometers (3 mils)

Epoxy primers
(APCS-1B and APCS-1E)

100 micrometers (4 mils)

Epoxy topcoats
(All APCSs)

150 micrometers (6 mils)

Polyurethane (APCS-1D,
APCS-1E and APCS-1F)

65 micrometers (2.5 mils

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Issue Date: 21 March 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017

5.2.3

09-SAMSS-069
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service

Usable Potlife
At 40C, the viscosity of the ready-mixed paint shall remain within the
range recommended by the manufacturer for sprayability without
additional thinning for not less than 1 hour.

5.2.4

Drying Times
When tested in accordance with ASTM D1640, the Dry-Through (or
Dry-To-Handle) Time shall be 8 hours or less (2 hours or less for the
zinc-rich epoxy primers) and the Dry-To-Recoat Time shall be in
accordance with suppliers published data sheets.

5.3

Test Panel Preparation

5.3.1

Test panels shall be ASTM A36 hot-rolled steel approximately 100 mm

X 150 mm. Prior to preparing the surface, the condition of the test panel
shall be equivalent to SSPC-Guide to Vis 1 Rust Grade A, Adherent Mill
Scale. The minimum thickness of the test panel shall be 5 mm.

5.3.2

The test panel shall be abrasive blast cleaned to near white metal (SP-10
or Sa 2-).

5.3.3

Profile of blasted surface shall be as follows:

40-65 micrometers (1.5 - 2.5 mils) for APCS-1A, APCS-1B, APCS-1D,
and APCS-1E
25-40 micrometers (1.0 - 1.5 mils) for APCS-1C and APCS-1F.
The profile shall be determined with replica tape.

5.3.4

Coatings shall be mixed, applied and cured in accordance with the

Vendor's recommendations. The temperature of the test panel shall be
63 2C during coatings application. Dry film thickness shall be
measured and recorded in accordance with SSPC PA2 and shall meet the
requirements in Table 1.

Page 7 of 10

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Issue Date: 21 March 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017

09-SAMSS-069
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service

Table 1 Dry Film Thickness (DFT) Requirements

APCS
APCS-1A
APCS-1B
APCS-1C
APCS-1D
APCS-1E
APCS-1F

5.4

Primer
(1 coat)
DFT in
Micrometers
Min-Max
65 - 100
50 - 100
40 - 75
65 - 100
50 - 100
40 - 75

Intermediate
Coat (1 or
more coats)
DFT in
Micrometers
Min-Max
N/A
N/A
N/A
100 - 150
100 - 150
125 - 175

Topcoat (2 or
more coats)
Max. DFT in
Micrometers
150
150
150
N/A
N/A
N/A

Total
Topcoat
(1 coat)
DFT in
Micrometers
Min-Max
N/A
N/A
N/A
25 - 65
25 - 65
25 - 65

System (Min
3 coats)
DFT in
Micrometers
Min-Max
275 - 400
275 - 400
250 - 375
190 - 315
175 - 315
175 - 290

Performance Tests
5.4.1

Weather-o-Meter and Salt Fog Performance Tests

Each panel shall be scribed in accordance with ASTM D1654 and
exposed alternately in a Weather-o-Meter in accordance with
ASTM D822, Procedure B, or ASTM G26, Method B, and a salt fog
cabinet in accordance with ASTM B117. Panels shall be rotated every
100 hours until a total of 500 hours in each device has been achieved.
At the ASTM D822 conclusion of the test, each coating will be evaluated
for and meet the criteria in Table 2.
Table 2
Standard
ASTM D714
Evaluating Degree of
Blistering of Paints

Acceptable Rating
No blisters

ASTM D660
Evaluating Degree of
Checking of Exterior Paints

No checking

ASTM D661
Evaluating Degree of
Cracking of Exterior Paints

No cracking

ASTM D610
Evaluating Degree of
Rusting on Painted
Steel Surfaces System

9 or better for APCS-1B and

APCS-1E.
10 for APCS-1A, APCS-1C,
APCS-1D, and APCS-1F.

ASTM D1654
Standard Evaluation of

Rating of Failure at Scribe

shall not exceed:

Page 8 of 10

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Issue Date: 21 March 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017
Painted or Coated
Specimens Subjected to
Corrosive Environments

5.4.2

09-SAMSS-069
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service
9 for APCS-1B and APCS-1E.
10 for APCS-1A, APCS-1C,
APCS-1D, and APCS-1F.

N/A
Erosion

No more than 10% of the total

average thickness has been removed.

ASTM D 523
Specular Gloss
(Polyurethane Coatings Only)

The reduction in gloss of the

tested sample shall not exceed
20% compared to an untested sample.

Adhesion Test
a)

Test panels shall be prepared in accordance with paragraph 5.3

except that the coatings shall be cured as shown in Table 3.
Table 3
Coating
Drying Time at 25 1C
Inorganic zinc primer
14 days
Zinc rich primer
24 hours
Epoxy primer
72 hours
Epoxy intermediate coat
72 hours
Epoxy topcoat
5 days
Polyurethane topcoat
5 days

b)

5.4.3

Determine the adhesion of the prime coat to the substrate, intercoat

adhesion, or cohesion of any coat of the painting system by using
an adhesion tester, 450 kg capacity. Lightly sand the coated
surface and aluminum dolly and apply an epoxy adhesive. Allow
the adhesive to cure as directed by adhesive supplier. Scribe the
coating and adhesive around the dolly prior to testing. Make a
minimum of three trials and report the average. The average shall
be at least 2750 kPa (400 psi).

Maximum Service Temperature

The maximum service temperatures of the coating systems shall be as
follows:

For APCS-1A, APCS-1B, and APCS-1C: 150C

For APCS-1D, APCS-1E, and APCS-1F: 80C

To verify compliance with these requirements, conduct adhesion tests on

coated panels that have been prepared in accordance with paragraph
5.4.2 and then exposed in an oven for 14 days at the appropriate
temperature listed above. The adhesion shall be at least 90% of that
Page 9 of 10

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Issue Date: 21 March 2012
Next Planned Update: 21 March 2017

09-SAMSS-069
Qualification Requirements for
Epoxy Coatings for Atmospheric Service

obtained on samples prepared and tested in accordance with paragraph

5.4.2 but not subsequently exposed in an oven.
6

Method of Packaging
Coatings shall be packaged in accordance with 09-SAMSS-060.

21 March 2012

Revision Summary
Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and reissued
with editorial changes.

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