Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-035
24 October 2012
Qualification Requirements for
Aluminum-Pigmented Alkyd Coating System (APCS-4)
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........... 4

Packaging Requirements............................... 8

Previous Issue: 22 June 2011 Next Planned Update: 24 October 2017

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin
Primary contact: Manuel, Anthony Tiong on 966-3-8809560
CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2012. All rights reserved.

Page 1 of 8

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-035
Issue Date: 24 October 2012
Qualification Requirements for
Next Planned Update: 24 October 2017
Aluminum-Pigmented Alkyd Coating System (APCS-4)

Scope
This Specification establishes the mandatory requirements for qualifying individual
coating products for use in Saudi Aramco's approved protective coating system
APCS-4. 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 for use by Saudi Aramco.

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 for use by Saudi Aramco.
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 shall 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.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-035
Issue Date: 24 October 2012
Qualification Requirements for
Next Planned Update: 24 October 2017
Aluminum-Pigmented Alkyd Coating System (APCS-4)

References
The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this specification shall comply with the
latest edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.
a)

The date of the Purchase Order.

b)

The date testing is begun when there is no Purchase order.

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 Engineering Standard

SAES-H-101
APCS-4

Approved Protective Coating Systems,

Aluminum-Pigmented Alkyd Coating

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-060
3.2

Packaging Requirements for Coatings

Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials
ASTM A36

Carbon Structural Steel

ASTM B117

Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus

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 D1640

Drying, Curing or Film Formation of Organic

Coatings at Room Temperature

ASTM D1654

Evaluation of Painted or Coated Specimens

Subjected to Corrosive Environments

ASTM D1849

Package Stability of Paint

ASTM E903

Solar Reflectance
Page 3 of 8

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-035
Issue Date: 24 October 2012
Qualification Requirements for
Next Planned Update: 24 October 2017
Aluminum-Pigmented Alkyd Coating System (APCS-4)

National Association of Corrosion Engineers

NACE TM0375

Impact Abrasion Resistance by Falling Dry Sand

The Society for Protective Coatings

SP6

Commercial Blast Cleaning

PA2

Measurement of Dry Paint Thickness with Magnetic

Gages

Vis 1

Pictorial Surface Preparation Standards for

Painting Steel Structures

Swedish Standards Institute

SIS 05 5900 Sa 2
4

Thorough Blast Cleaning

General Requirements
4.1

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

Responsible Standardization Agency (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 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. The coating testing reports 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 to process the approval. RSA shall
request further assurance tests if deemed necessary for the approval.

4.3

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

Qualification Tests and Requirements

5.1

Physical Property Tests

5.1.1

Package Stability of Paint

Package stability shall be determined separately for the primer and the
topcoat. When stored at 52 + 1C for 6 months in accordance with
ASTM D1849, the sample(s) shall meet the following requirements:
a.
b.

Weight Loss - 0
Skinning, Pressure or Corrosion - 10

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-035
Issue Date: 24 October 2012
Qualification Requirements for
Next Planned Update: 24 October 2017
Aluminum-Pigmented Alkyd Coating System (APCS-4)

c.
d.
5.1.2

Settling - 6 or better
Grains, lumps or streaks - 8 or better

Solar Reflectant
The solar reflectance of the top-coat aluminum shall not be less than
65% as test in accordance with ASTM E903.

5.1.3

Spray Properties
Spray properties shall be determined separately for the primer and the
topcoat. The primer shall be spray applied to a vertical surface at the wet
film thickness corresponding to a dry film thickness between 40 and
50 microns. The topcoat shall be spray applied to a separate vertical
surface at the wet film thickness corresponding to a dry film thickness
between 25 and 40 microns. The freshly sprayed coatings shall show no
tendency to orange peel, sag, creep or run.

5.1.4

Brushing Properties
Brushing properties shall be determined separately for the primer and
the topcoat. Each coating shall be brush applied to a vertical surface.
The freshly applied coatings shall brush easily, possess good leveling
properties, provide uniform coverage and good hiding, and show no
running or sagging tendencies.

5.1.5

Drying Times
When tested in accordance with ASTM D1640, the dry times is shown in
Table 1.
Table 1 Drying Times
Set To Touch
Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

a. Fast Dry Primer

5 min.

15 min.

2 hrs.

b. Standard Primer

30 min.

2 hrs.

16 hrs.

1 hr.

4 hrs.

16 hrs.

c. Topcoat

5.2

Dry Through

Performance Tests
5.2.1

Steel Panel Preparation

5.2.1.1

Test panels shall be ASTM A36 hot rolled Steel approximately

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-035
Issue Date: 24 October 2012
Qualification Requirements for
Next Planned Update: 24 October 2017
Aluminum-Pigmented Alkyd Coating System (APCS-4)

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.
5.2.1.2

5.2.2

5.2.3

The Test panels shall be abrasive blast cleaned to a commercial

degree of cleanliness as defined by SSPC-SP6 and SIS 05 5900
Sa 2.

Coating Application
5.2.2.1

The primer shall be mixed, applied and cured in strict

accordance with the Vendor's recommendations. The primer
shall be applied in at least two coats at a maximum dry film
thickness of 50 microns per coat. The total dry film thickness
of the primer shall be a minimum of 85 microns. Dry film
thickness shall be measured and recorded in accordance with
SSPC-PA2.

5.2.2.2

After allowing the primer to cure for the minimum amount of

time recommended by the Vendor before overcoating, the
topcoat shall be mixed, applied, and cured in strict accordance
with the Vendor's recommendations. The topcoat shall be
applied in one or more coats at a maximum dry film thickness
of 40 microns. The final dry film thickness of the primer and
topcoat shall be a minimum of 125 microns and a maximum of
180 microns. Dry film thickness shall be measured in
accordance with SSPC-PA2.

Coating Compatibility
After the topcoated panels have been allowed to cure for 48 hours there
shall be no evidence of wrinkling, blistering, lifting, or other signs of
incompatibility.

5.2.4

Adhesion
Prepare two panels in accordance with 5.2.1 and apply the complete
coating system in accordance with 5.2.2. Allow these panels to
completely cure in accordance with the dry through times in section
5.1.4. Score a line through to the metal across the width of the film
using a sharp pointed knife. The film shall then be taped perpendicular
to and across the score line with water resistant, pressure sensitive, 2 mm
wide, adhesive tape. The tape shall be pressed in firm contact with the
film and shall extend approximately 25 mm on each side of the score
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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-035
Issue Date: 24 October 2012
Qualification Requirements for
Next Planned Update: 24 October 2017
Aluminum-Pigmented Alkyd Coating System (APCS-4)

line. Allow approximately ten seconds for the test area to return to room
temperature. Grasp a free end of the tape and at a rapid speed, strip it
from the specimen by pulling the tape back upon itself at 180 degrees.
No more than 1.5 mm of paint shall be removed from the primer and/or
the metal on either side of the score line.
5.2.5

Aged Overcoating
Two panels shall be prepared in accordance with 5.2.1 and primed in
accordance with 5.2.2.1. After the panels have completely cured in
accordance with the dry through times in section 5.1.4 they shall be
placed in an oven for seven days at 82 + 2C. The panels shall then be
removed from the oven and allowed to condition in laboratory
environment for 24 hours. The topcoat(s) shall then be applied in
accordance with 5.2.2.2. Adhesion tests shall be performed per
paragraph 5.2.4. No more than 1.5 mm of topcoat shall be removed from
either side of the score line.

5.2.6

Salt Fog Performance

Prepare two panels in accordance with 5.2.1 and apply the complete
coating system in accordance with 5.2.2. Scribe the fully cured coating
system in accordance with ASTM D1654 and expose in a salt fog cabinet
in accordance with ASTM B117, Salt Spray (Fog) Testing.
This procedure shall be continued until the test panels are exposed for
750 hours in the salt fog cabinet. At the conclusion of the test, the
coating shall be evaluated for and shall meet the Table 2 criteria.
Table 2 - Salt Spray (Fog) Testing
Standard

Acceptable Rating

ASTM D714, Evaluating Degree of

Blistering of Paint

8F

ASTM D660, Evaluating Degree of

Checking of Exterior Paint

No Checking

ASTM D661, Evaluating Degree of

Cracking of Exterior Paint

No Cracking

ASTM D610, Evaluating Degree of

Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces

ASTM D1654, Standard Evaluation of

Painted or Coated Specimens
Subjected to Corrosive Environments

Rust creep from the scribe shall

not exceed 2.5 mm.

NACE TM0375, Impact Abrasion

Resistance by Falling Dry Sand

Not more than 5% of the total

average thickness be removed.

Page 7 of 8

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-035
Issue Date: 24 October 2012
Qualification Requirements for
Next Planned Update: 24 October 2017
Aluminum-Pigmented Alkyd Coating System (APCS-4)

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

24 October 2012

Revision Summary
Revised the Next Planned Update. Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and reissued
with editorial revision to change the primary contact person.

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