SlipCoefficientandTensionCreepTestingofCoatingsUsedinSlipCriticalBoltedConnections

WilliamD.Corbett.ProfessionalServicesBusinessUnitManager
CarlyM.McGee,PhysicalTestingLaboratorySupervisor
KTATator,Inc.

Abstract:AppendixAoftheAISCSpecificationforStructuralJointsUsingHighStrengthBoltspublished
bytheResearchCouncilonStructuralConnectionsdescribesthetestingmethodstodeterminetheslip
coefficientofcoatingsusedinboltedconnections.Thispaperdescribestheimportanceofestablishing
theslip coefficientoffayingsurfaces,andpresentsthesouptonutsprocessassociatedwithtesting
and certifying coatings used in slipcritical connections from test panel fabrication to surface
preparation,coatingapplication(includingthinning,thicknessandcuringvariables),selectionofmating
surfaces, testing for resistance to slip and tension creep, and data reporting, including A, B and C
classifications. Data from various generic coating types previously tested is presented, and research
needsaredescribed.Finally,theimportanceofapplicationandcuringofthecoatingintheshoporfield
accordingtothevariablesemployedduringtestingandcertificationisreinforced.

Thispaperwillenablethereaderto:
1.Listthevariablesaffectingslipcoefficientvalues
2.Describetheprocessassociatedwithtestpanelpreparationandcoating
3.Identifythetestingproceduresforslipcoefficientandtensioncreep
4.Describetheimportanceofverifyingconformancetotestingvariablesduringshop/fieldapplication

Background

Buildings, bridges and other structures commonly employ bolted connections of steel beams,
girders and other structural members using gusset plates of various sizes and configurations. High
strength bolts (e.g., ASTM A325 or ASTM A490) are used to secure the connections. The holes in the
steelmembersandthegussetplatesarelargerthantheboltshaft(typically1/161/8larger)toenable
thebolttobeinsertedandtensionedagainstthewasherandnut.Theinterfaceofthegussetplateand
thestructuralmemberiscalledafayingsurface.Fayingsurfacesarenotrequiredtobecoated,butare
oftenprotectedtopreventcorrosionfromoccurringattheinterfaceandrustbleedfromstainingcoated
surfaces adjacent to the connection. When a designer elects to coat the faying surfaces, the coating
usedonthesesurfacesmustpossessslipresistantpropertiestoreducefatigueontheconnectionduring
loading/unloadingcycles(i.e.vehiclestravelingacrossabridgedeck).Sopriortouse,thecoatingsused
onthesefayingsurfacesmustbetestedandclassifiedforslipcoefficientproperties.Oncetheclassified
coating is applied, the connection points are masked to prevent subsequent coats from inadvertently
contactingtheseareas.


Thereisnostipulationforspecificcoatingtypesthatmustbeusedintheseboltedconnections,
although zincrich primers are common and typically possess slip resistance properties. Other generic
coating types have been tested and used, including polyamide epoxy primers. Other products such as
thermalspraycoatings(variousalloys)androughenedhotdipgalvanizedsteelmaybeviablecandidates,
providedtheyhavebeentestedanddemonstrateslipresistantproperties.

SpecificationforStructuralJoints

TheAmericanInstituteofSteelConstruction,Inc.(AISC)andtheResearchCouncilonStructural
Connections (RCSC) publish the Specification for Structural Joints using High Strength Bolts. As of the
date of this paper, the latest version was published December 31, 2009 (the original document was
published in 1984). The specification is comprised of ten sections, including General Requirements;
Fastener Components; Bolted Parts; Joint Type; Limit States in Bolted Joints; Use of Washers; Pre
installation Verification; Installation; Inspection; and Arbitration. These ten sections minimally address
testingofcoatingsusedintheboltedjoint.Rather,AppendixA,TestingMethodtoDeterminetheSlip
CoefficientforCoatingsUsedinBoltedJointscontainsfoursectionsrelatingtocoatingtesting(General
Provisions;TestPlatesandCoatingoftheSpecimens;SlipTests;andTensionCreepTests).Thefocusof
thispaperisonthecontentofAppendixA.

EssentialVariables

Appendix A, Section A1.2 defines Essential Variables as those that, if changed, will require
retestingofthecoatingtodetermineitsmeanslipcoefficient.TheEssentialVariablesarenotdictated
bythespecificationbutrathertheyareestablishedbythecoatingmanufacturerpriortotesting.There
arefourEssentialVariables,including:thecuretime(thetimeintervalbetweencoatingapplicationand
testing), which establishes the minimum curing time prior to field assembly of the joint; any special
curingprocedures(whentheyaredifferentthantheinstructionsprovidedbythecoatingmanufacturer
on the Product Data Sheet); maximum coating thickness as measured according to SSPCPA 2 (the
specification requires the addition of 2 mils dry film thickness to the manufacturers recommended
maximum thickness for the joints); and the composition of the coating, including the method of
manufacture and the type and amount of thinner (reducer) to be used (if any). Accordingly, the
manufacturer of the coating to be tested must establish the cure time, special curing procedures,
maximumcoatingthicknessandthetypeandamountofthinnerwhenrequiredforatomizationand/or
postatomizationflowout.

While the method of application is not listed as an Essential Variable, Section A2.2 (Specimen
Coating)statesthatthecoatingsaretobeappliedtothetestspecimensinamannerthatisconsistent
withthemethodintendedtobeusedonthestructuralapplication.Soifthecoatingisintendedtobe
appliedbyairlesssprayintheshoporfield,thenthecoatingshouldnotbeappliedbybrush/rollertothe
testspecimens.

Unfortunately, Appendix A of the specification does not provide a tolerance for coating
thickness;onlythat2milsmustbeaddedtothecoatingmanufacturersmaximumthickness.Soifthe
maximumthicknessis4mils,thetestthicknessis6mils.However,applyingexactly4milsofcoatingtoa
roughenedsurfaceintheshop/field(or6milsinthelaboratory)isessentiallyimpossible.Therefore,a
reasonablethicknesstolerance(e.g.,0.50.7mil)shouldbeestablishedpriortotesting.Thetestreport
mustindicatetheactualthicknessofthecoatingappliedtoeachtestspecimen.

OtherVariablesforConsideration

It is not clear whether the method of surface preparation (e.g., power tool cleaning verses
abrasive blast cleaning), surface cleanliness, and surface profile depth and shape influence the slip
coefficientpropertiesofthecoating.AlthoughnotlistedasanEssentialVariableinAppendixAofthe
RCSCSpecification,thereissomedebateastowhethersurfacepreparationshouldbeconsideredwhen
doing testing to determine if the type of cleaning (e.g., power tool cleaning verses abrasive blast
cleaning),thedegreeofcleanliness(SSPCSP5orSP10versesSSPCSP6)andthesurfaceprofiledepth
andshape(e.g.,roundversesangular)affecttheresults.Asapointofreference,AASHTOSpecification
R31forEvaluationofProtectiveCoatingSystemsforStructuralSteelrequiresabrasiveblastcleaningto
achieveaWhiteMetalBlast(SSPCSP5/NACENo.1)using100%S280steelshottoproducea23.5mil
surfaceprofilefortheslipcoefficienttest.Steelshotwasselectedtoproduceapeenedsurfacetexture
(lowerpeakdensity)tocreateaworstcasescenario.TheAASHTOspecificationdoesnotrequiresimilar
testingoverpowertoolcleanedsteel.

CorrectionofCoatingThicknessDeficiencies

Whencoatingsareappliedintheshopoffieldandthemeasureddryfilmthicknessislessthan
specified,itisacommonpracticetoapplyabuildupcoat(withinthemanufacturersrecoatinterval)to
achievethespecifiedfilmthickness.Conversely,ifacoatingisappliedtoothick,sandingorscreeningis
usedtoreducetheappliedthickness,orthethicknessisnotcorrected(excessivethicknessisaccepted
bythefacilityowneraftercoatingmanufacturerapproval).Thesecorrectivepracticesalterthesurface
of the coating (sanding/screening) or present a potentially weakened interface (buildup coat) and
should not be performed on faying surfaces either in the laboratory for testing or in the shop/field
during actual application. If thickness deficiencies are found in the faying surface areas, the coating
shouldberemovedandreappliedtothecorrectthickness.UnfortunatelytheRCSCdoesnotspecifically
addressthisissue.

TestPlateDesignandSurfacePreparation

There are two test plate designs described in Appendix A, including a Slip Test Plate and a
TensionCreepPlate.

TheSlipTestPlateisfabricatedfromsteelwithayieldstrengthof3650ksi.Theplatesmeasure
4 x 4 x 5/8 and contain a 1 ( 1/16) diameter hole centered 1 1/2 from one edge. The top and
bottomedgesmustbemilledflatandsurfacesoftheplatesmustbeflatenoughtoensurereasonably
fullcontactoverthefayingsurface.Noburrsorotherdefectsarepermitted.

TheTensionCreepTestPlateisfabricatedfromthesametypeandstrengthsteel;howeverthe
platesarelarger(4x7x5/8)andcontainatwo1(1/16)diameterholescentered 11/2from
both4edges.Thetopandbottomedgesarenotrequiredtobemilledflat,howeverthesurfacesofthe
plates must be flat enough to ensure reasonably full contact over the faying surface. As was the case
withtheSlipTestPlates,noburrsorotherdefectsarepermitted.

SlipTestPlate(frontview).Theholehasbeendeburred.

SlipTestPlate(endview).Theedgehasbeenmilledflat

TensionCreep TestPlate(frontview).
Theholeshavebeendeburred.

Prior to mechanical methods of surface preparation, the surfaces are solvent cleaned in
accordancewithSSPCSP1toremovegrease,oilorotherfabricationlubricants.Thefayingsurfacesof
thetestplatesaresubsequentlyprepared(e.g.,byabrasiveblastcleaninginthecaseoftheAASHTOR31
specification) using the abrasive type and shape required by the coating manufacturer or project
designer. The abrasive size should not be dictated, only the required surface profile depth (e.g., 23.5
mils). The laboratory conducting the testing will select the abrasive size that will yield the specified
profiledepth.DetailsrelatedtosurfacepreparationareundefinedbytheRCSCspecificationbutmustbe
reported by the testing laboratory. The edges of the test plates and the holes are not prepared by
mechanicalmeans,noraretheycoated.

TestPlateMounting,CoatingApplicationandCuringProcedures

The procedures for mounting and securing the test plates are not prescribed by the RCSC
specification.However,sincethetestsurfacesmustbefreeofsurfacedefects,specialrackortrayscan
beusedtoholdthetestplatesinplacehorizontally(usingcompressionfitalongthenonmillededges)
and so that the faces can be sprayed and cured horizontally, in order to prevent runs and sags in the
appliedfilm.Thisisespeciallyimportantsincethespecificationrequirestheadditionof2drymilstothe
coatingmanufacturersmaximumthickness(whichmayexceedthesagresistancethicknessforagiven
coating). Fifteen slip test plates and nine tension creep test plates are required for testing. Additional
(spare)testplatesareoftenpreparedintheeventofasurfacedefectorcoatingthicknessvariation.

Mountingoftensioncreepplatesinrack/tray

Slip test plates mounted in rack/tray (ready for

application)

Coating materials are mixed and applied according to the manufacturers written instructions.
Thinner (reducer) if required by the manufacturer is added. The type and amount of thinner added is
regardedasanEssentialVariableandmustbereportedontheCertificateofTesting(describedlater).
Thebatch/lotnumbersofthecoatingcomponentsandthinnerarealsorecordedandlistedonthetest
certificate. Naturally, the same lot/batch tested does not have to be applied in the shop/field. The
coatingisapplied2mils(dryfilm)thickerthanthemanufacturersmaximumdryfilmthickness.

Application of coating to mounted test plates using

semiautomated spray arm and an autoairless spray
gun

The coating must be cured according to the manufacturers recommended conditions of air
temperature, humidity and time. An owner/specifier may require specific curing conditions. For
example, the AASHTO R31 specification requires curing at 25 +/ 2C and 65 +/ 5% relative humidity.
Theactualcuretimeisdeterminedbythemanufacturerofthecoatingandcanrangefrom24hoursto
14days,even30dayspriortotesting.Conditionsaremonitoredthroughoutthecuringperiodusinga
recordinghygrothermographoradigitalpsychrometer(shownbelow).

CoatingThicknessMeasurementandSelectionofMatingSurfaces

CoatingthicknessismeasuredaccordingtoSSPCPA2,MeasurementofCoatingThicknessUsing
MagneticGages.AType 2(electronic)gage (shown)is typically usedforspeedandaccuracy.Several
spotmeasurements(eachtheaverageofthreegagereadings)areacquiredfromeachcontactface.The
averageofthemeasurementsforeachcontactsurfaceisrecordedandreported.Contacttestsurfaces
withconformingcoatingthickness(andwithsimilaraveragethicknessvalues)areselectedandmated.

Monitoringcuringconditions

Measuringcoatingthickness
usingadigitalpsychrometer

usingatype2electronicgage

TestAssemblies

ASlipCoefficienttestassemblyconsistsofthreetestplates:acenterplatewithtwocontactsurfaces
andtwooutsidetestplateswithonetestsurfaceeach.Fivereplicateassembliesmustbetested,sofive
center panels and ten outside panels must be selected and mated for the Slip Coefficient test. A
TensionCreeptestassemblyissimilar,exceptthatthreereplicateassembliesmustbetested(instead
offive),sothreecenterpanelsandsixoutsidepanelsmustbeselectedandmated.

SlipCoefficientTestProcedure

Oncethematingsurfacesareselected(basedonsimilaraveragecoatingthicknessvalues),the
testplatesareloadedontoa7/8threadedrodlocatedinthecenterofahorizontalloadcell.Thecenter
testplateisinverted180asitisloadedontotherodsothattheedgeoftheplateishigherthanthetwo
endplates.Thisistheplatethatreceivestheverticalloadduringtesting.A1/8gapbetweentherod
andoneedgeofthehole(theholeis1diameter)isestablishedbyliftinguponthecentertestplateso
thatthebottomoftheholeisincontactwiththebottomofthethreadedrod.Thegapismaintained
duringclampingusingaspacer.Aclampingforceof49+/0.5kips(49,000+/500psi)isappliedtothe
testassemblyusingthehorizontalloadcelloperatedusinghydraulicpressure.Thisloadismaintained
throughoutthetestingprocessandismonitoredusingadigitalreadout.

Loadingofassemblyonto7/8threadedrod

Electronicdisplaysofclampingforceandslip
deflection

Oncetheclampingforceisapplied,theverticalloadcellplatenisloweredsothatitcontactsthe
top (milled) edge of the center test plate. After 1 kip of load is applied to the vertical platen, slip
deflectionmonitoringgagesareattachedandengaged.Theverticalcompressionloadisappliedatarate
less than or equal to 25 kips/minute (or a maximum of 0.003 of slip displacement per minute). Each
assemblyonlytakesonlyafewminutestotest.

Slipcoefficienttestin
process.Figuresillustrate
thesimultaneousapplication
oftheclampingforceand
theverticalloadtothe
center(inverted)testplate

Thetestisterminatedwhen0.05ofslip(orgreater)occurs.Theslipdisplacementisdisplayed
digitallyandismonitoredandrecordedonanXYplotter.TypicalslipresponsesareillustratedinSection
A.4oftheRCSCspecification,reproducedbelow.

Slip displacement curve (a) illustrates the maximum load, provided it occurs before 0.02 of
displacement.Slipdisplacementcurve(b)illustratesthesliploadatthepointwhentherateincreases
suddenlyandslipdisplacementcurve(c)illustratesthesliploadcorrespondingtodeformationat0.02.
Thiscurveindicatestheloadversesslipisgradual,notsuddenaswithcurve(b).

SlipCoefficientCalculation

Fivereplicateassembliesaretested.Themeanslipcoefficient(ks)iscalculatedas:

SlipLoad____
ks=

2xClampingForce

Sampledataillustratingthiscalculationareshownbelow.Thefirsttablecontainstheactualsliploads;
thesecondtablecontainstheslipcoefficientvaluesaftereachofthesliploadsaredividedbytwotimes
theclampingforce.

Result1
Result2
Result3
Result4
Result5
Mean
57,028

56,626

55,118

57,028

56,276

56,415

Note:ValuesareSlipLoads

Result1
Result2

Result3

Result4

Result5

Mean

0.56

0.58

0.57

0.58

0.58

0.58

Note:ValuesareKsorSlipCoefficient

TensionCreepTestProcedure

Provided the slip coefficient testing (known as the static shortterm test) produces acceptable
results,thesecondphaseofthetestingisundertaken,whichisthetensioncreeptest.Thistestislonger
term(1,000hoursorsixweeks)comparedtotheslipcoefficienttest.Forthisphaseachainofnine4
x7testplatesisassembledusinghighstrengthbolts(ASTMA325orA490bolts).ASTMA490boltsare
morecommonandthereforemorefrequentlyusedinthisprocedure.Thetensioncapacityofthebolts
istestedusingaSkidmoreWilhelmBoltTensionCalibratorpriortoassemblingthechain.Threereplicate
assemblies, each consisting of three 4 x 7 test plates are used to create the creep chain. Once
assembled, the plates are bolted together using a calibrated torque wrench with tensionindicating
bolts. Once assembled, the chain is suspended from the tension creep frame (using loose bolt/nut
assemblies at the top and bottom of the chain) and the vertical load is applied using a load cell. The
applied load is based on the type of bolt employed and the slip coefficient class that is targeted. For
example,25.9kipsloadisappliedfor ClassAslipcoefficientusingA490bolts,while39.2kipsloadis
appliedforClassBslipcoefficientusingA490bolts.Oncetheprescribedtensionisapplieditislockedin
placeusingalargenut.Thistensionismaintainedthroughoutthetestperiod.

IllustrationfromAppendixAshowing
thetensioncreepchainassembly

Tensioncreeptest
inprocess

Closeupofmicrometerand
magnetsattachedtoassembly

Speciallymachinedhorizontalmagnetsarepositionedoneachassemblysothattheyareonlyin
contact with the two outer test plates and not the center test plate. Vertical magnets are positioned
betweenthetwohorizontalmagnetsandareorientedsotheyareonlyincontactwiththecentertest
plateandnotthetwooutertestplates.Thepurposeofthemagnetsistoholdthemicrometersinplace.
Since the micrometers are in contact with the magnets (which are in contact with the assembly), any
creep will register on the micrometer dial. These micrometers are set to 0 within 30 minutes of
applyingtheloadandtheloadismaintainedfor42days(1000hours).Anydisplacement(revealedby
movementfromthezeropositiononthemicrometers)isrecordeddaily.

Three replicate assemblies are tested concurrently. No single assembly can exceed 0.005 of
displacement. After 1000 hours, the load is again increased to the design slip multiplied by 2x the
clampingforce(32.3kipsforClassAand49kipsforClassB).Oncethisfinalloadisapplied,theaverage
creepdisplacementcannotexceed0.015forallthreeassemblies.Sampledataareshownbelow.Note
thatthedatarepresentsapassingtestsincenoneoftheassembliesexceeded0.005ofdisplacement
andtheaveragecreepdisplacementislessthan0.015forallthreeassemblies.

Assembly1 Assembly2 Assembly3

InitialMicrometerReading

FinalMicrometerReading

0.00175

0.0015

0.0009

CreepDisplacement

0.00175

0.0015

0.0009

AverageDisplacement

0.00098

Oncethestaticshorttermtest(slipcoefficient)andtensioncreeptestingiscomplete(andthe
coating passes both the slip coefficient test and the tension creep test), the coating is classified.
AccordingtotheRCRSspecificationthemeanslipcoefficient()canbecategorizedasClassA,BorC.A
ClassAslipcoefficientratingis0.33(uncoated,cleanmillscaleorcoatingsonabrasiveblastcleaned
steel). A Class B slip coefficient rating is 0.5 (uncoated, abrasive blast cleaned steel or coatings on
abrasive blast cleaned steel). A Class C slip coefficient rating is 0.35 (roughened hotdip galvanized
surfaces). Note that ANSI/AISC Specification 36010, Specification for Structural Steel Buildings lists
0.30slipcoefficientforClassAasopposedto0.33.

A Certificate of Testing accompanies the test report. This Certificate lists the product
manufacturerandname/no.,theClassachieved(ClassA,BorC),thebatchnumbersofthecomponents
andthinner(ifused),theminimumcuretimepriortoboltup,thecuringconditionsofairtemperature
andhumidity,themaximumdryfilmthickness,thetypeandamountofthinnerused(ifany),thetest
periodandtheactualslipcoefficientvalue.Thistestcertificateisveryimportant,asitliststheEssential
Variablesunderwhichtheproductwastestedandclassified,andshouldbearequiredsubmittalfrom
thecoatingmanufacturerwhohasbeenselectedtoprovidecoatingsforaproject.Further,theproduct
should be applied to the faying surfaces in the shop/field in conformance to the listed Essential
Variables.

SampleTestCertificate

Note that surface preparation (cleanliness and profile depth/shape) are not listed on the test
certificate(theyarenotconsideredEssentialVariablesbytheRCSCspecification)andtheminimumdry
film thickness is not listed (only the maximum). The minimum may be established by the coating
manufacturerontheproductdatasheet.

ReviewofSlipCoefficientDatafromThreeGenericCoatingTypes

The following tables contain the results of actual slip coefficient testing performed on three
genericclassesofzincrichprimers,includingtwoorganic(epoxyzincrichandmoisturecureurethane
zincrich)andethylsilicateinorganiczincprimers.Thetypeofabrasiveusedforsurfacepreparationis
indicated for each. The Essential Variables that are included in the data are cure time (up to eight
intervals),coatingthickness(uptosevenvariations)andtworeductionvariations(yes/no).Emptyfields
indicate that the variable has not been tested. More than one manufacturers product may have
10

achieved the same classification. It is difficult to draw many conclusions from the data sets, since the
products were submitted over a period of several years and represented various manufacturers and
evenformulationswithinagivengenericclass(e.g.,zinccontent,solventsystemsandotherdifferences
inrawmaterials).Further,therewaslittleconsistencyincuretimesandthickness,andnotallvariables
weretestedconsistently(e.g.,notallgenericclassesweretestedwithandwithoutreduction).

COATINGTYPEINORGANICZINC
Abrasive:100%SteelShot
Cure
Time
24Hrs
48Hrs
72Hrs
5Days
7Days
10days

3mils
B
Fail

NoReduction
3.5mils 4mils
5mils

6mils

3mils

B;B;B

3.5mils

Reduction
4mils
5mils
B;B

B;B

6mils

6mils

3mils

3.5mils

Reduction
4mils
5mils
B;B

6mils

3mils

Reduction
3.5mils 4mils
5mils

B;B

6mils

3mils

3.5mils

COATINGTYPEINORGANICZINC
Abrasive:SteelGrit/SteelShotBlend
Cure
Time
24Hrs

3mils

NoReduction
3.5mils 4mils
5mils

COATINGTYPEINORGANICZINC
Abrasive:100%SteelGrit
Cure
Time
24Hrs

3mils

NoReduction
3.5mils 4mils
5mils
B

6mils

COATINGTYPEMOISTURECUREDURETHANEZINC
Abrasive:100%SteelShot
Cure
Time
7Days

3mils

NoReduction
3.5mils 4mils
5mils

6mils

Reduction
4mils 4.5mils
A

5mils

COATINGTYPEMOISTURECUREDURETHANEZINC
Abrasive:SteelGrit/SteelShotBlend
Cure
Time
4Days
7Days
28days

2mils
A;B

NoReduction
3.5mils 4mils
5mils

A
A

6mils

11

COATINGTYPEEPOXYZINC
Abrasive:100%SteelShot
Cure
Time
24Hrs
48Hrs
72Hrs
4Days
5Days

3mils

Fail

7Days
10days
14days
30days
60days

Fail

NoReduction
3.5mils 4mils
5mils

A
Fail;A;

A;A

A;B

A;B

6mils

3mils

3.5mils

Fail;B

A
A

Reduction
4mils 4.5mils

A
A
A

5mils

COATINGTYPEEPOXYZINC
Abrasive:100%SteelGrit
Cure
Time
24Hrs
7Days

3mils

NoReduction
3.5mils 4mils
5mils

A;A

A;A;A

6mils

COATINGTYPEEPOXYZINC
Abrasive:SteelGrit/SteelShotBlend
Cure
Time
24Hrs
48Hrs
4Days
7Days
10days
14days
19days

3mils

NoReduction
3.5mils 4mils
5mils

A;A

6mils

ConclusionsfromData

Thetablebelowpresentsasummaryofthedata.Basedonaverylimiteddataset,thereappears
tobeanoveralltrendingregardingcoatingtypesthatcanattainaClassBslipcoefficientversesaClassA
slip coefficient rating. Based on the data set, it appears that organic zinc primers generally possess a
lowerslipcoefficientratingthantheinorganiczinccounterparts;howeverthereareoccasionswhenthe
organiczincprimershaveachievedClassBratings.

CoatingType
TotalNo.ofTests No.(%)ClassA No.(%)ClassB No.(%)FailA&B
InorganicZinc
21
3(14%)
17(81%)
1(5%)
Organic(epoxy)Zinc
36
24(67%)
8(22%)
4(1%)
Organic(MCU)Zinc
6
4(67%)
2(33%)
0(0%)

12

ResearchInitiatives

WhilethetestinganddatamanagementproceduresarefairlywelldefinedinAppendixAofthe
RCSCspecification(anotedexceptionisitemno.10below),thereappearstobeasubstantialneedfor
coatingsindustryresearchrelatingtothetestplatepreparationandcoatingprocedures.Tenpotential
researchinitiativesinclude:

1. Whatistheeffect(ifany)ofsurfaceprofileshapeontheslipcoefficientproperties?
2. Whatistheeffect(ifany)ofsurfaceprofiledepthontheslipcoefficientproperties?
3. Isthereadifferenceinslipcoefficientpropertieswhenacoatingistestedoverasurfacethathas
beenpowertoolcleaned(i.e.,SSPCSP11orSP15)versesabrasiveblastcleaning?
4. Isthereacuringwindow(bothaminimumandamaximumsettimepriortoboltup)?
5. What is the effect of using a different type of thinner (use of a manufacturers alternate for
hot/windyconditions)ontheslipcoefficientproperties?
6. Whatistheeffectofusinglesserorgreateramountsofthinner?
7. Whatistheeffectofapplyingabuildupapplicationofthecoating?
8. Whatistheeffectofscreeningorsandingdowntheappliedcoating?
9. Can a Class A or B slip coefficient be achieved when mating an inorganic zinc primer (e.g.,
appliedtoanewgussetplateinashop)toafieldappliedorganiczincprimeronexistingsteel
duringmaintenanceofastructure(thatmayhavedifferentthicknessrequirements)?
10. Sincefivereplicateassembliesaretestedforslipcoefficientthenaveragedtogenerateasingle
slip coefficient value, what is the acceptable standard deviation between the replicate trials?
Thatis,whatdeterminesanoutlier?

13