International Update # 79 Release Date: November 2011

Recommended Limits for water soluble salts on steel surfaces to be coated.

Introduction and Scope: It is well understood that water soluble salts, remaining on steel surfaces to be coated can cause serious performance problems when the coating system is put into service. This can be especially detrimental if the steel surface is subjected to aqueous immersion conditions1. Coating performance is adversely affected by soluble salts or ions and in particular the chloride and sulphate ions. These ions have the ability to propagate and promote under-film corrosion and/or film blister formation that undermines coating adhesion and integrity. The intention of this update is to expand on International Update #43 with further guidance to the level of acceptance for the total soluble salt contamination on surfaces prior to coating that are stated in many official global authorities documents for different areas and applications. Sources of water soluble salts The main sources of contamination of steel surfaces with water soluble salts are: Corrosion products of steel formed from polluted industrial and marine environments. Air-borne deposits from marine and industrial atmospheres. Water soluble corrosion inhibitors left on the surface from high-pressure water cleaning processes. Poor quality water used within the high-pressure water cleaning process including recycled and non-potable water sources. Soluble salt contaminated abrasive. Combinations of all above.

In specifications, the maximum acceptable level of soluble salt contamination on steel surfaces can be expressed in different ways. The most common units used: Weight per unit area expressed in milligrams per square meter (mg/m2) Weight per unit area expressed in micrograms per square centimeter (g/cm 2).

Recommended / Acceptable Levels The recommended or acceptable level of soluble salts for different environmental conditions is detailed in Table 1 below.

Immersion conditions can include areas of surface water ponding.

Protective Coatings
All products supplied and technical advice or recommendations given are subject to our standard Conditions of Sale.

7 International Square, Tullamarine Vic 3043 Australia Tel Toll Free Australia: 131 474 Toll Free New Zealand: 0800 808 807 pc-australasia@akzonobel.com

International Update # 79 Release Date: November 2011

Maximum / Acceptable Total Soluble Salt Levels

Micrograms per square centimeter (g/cm) Milligrams per square meter (mg/m)

Comments and Global Authority References

1 10 2 20 3 30 5 50 7 70

Optimum level for use with systems in all environments including immersed and atmospheric exposure. Typically only achievable in new construction situations. Acceptable for all coating applications Acceptable level quoted by NORSOK M-501,Rev 6 Surface Preparation and Protective Coatings for Offshore Structures. Typically only achievable in new construction situations. Acceptable for all coating applications. Levels specified in Guidelines for Ballast Tank Coating Systems and Surface Preparation issued by the Tanker Structure Cooperative Forum. Acceptable level quoted by NAVSEA Preservation Process Instructions (USA) for ballast tank applications Maximum level for IMO Performance Standards for Protective Coatings (PSPC). Acceptable for all new construction and maintenance situations for both immersed and atmospheric service, including seawater ballast storage, cargo tank storage, potable water storage, offshore installations. International Paints acceptable level for immersion service Acceptable level quoted by SSPC-SP12/NACE 5 under condition SC-2, for use in maintenance situations for immersed and atmospheric service Acceptable level quoted by NAVSEA Preservation Process Instructions (USA) for non-immersed steelwork applications International Paints acceptable level for atmospheric exposure. Total soluble salt levels which exceed these limits will lead to reduced coating system performance.

3.5

35

7.5 10 >10

75 100 >100

Table 1 Maximum / Acceptable total soluble salt levels on steel for different environments.

International Paint is part of AkzoNobel www.akzonobel.com. Further information on International Paint can be found at www.international-pc.com

Protective Coatings
All products supplied and technical advice or recommendations given are subject to our standard Conditions of Sale.

7 International Square, Tullamarine Vic 3043 Australia Tel Toll Free Australia: 131 474 Toll Free New Zealand: 0800 808 807 pc-australasia@akzonobel.com