Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-071 7 September 2016

Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)
Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Contents
1 Scope .............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations .................................. 2
3 References ...................................................... 2
4 General Requirements .................................... 4
5 Qualification Tests and Requirements ............ 5
6 Method of Packaging ...................................... 9
Revision Summary ................................................ 9

Previous Issue: 16 July 2011 Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019

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Contact: Mansour, Mana Hamad (mansmh0c) on +966-13-8809557

CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2016. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 7 September 2016 Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

1 Scope

This Specification defines the minimum mandatory requirements for qualifying

individual coating products for use in Saudi Aramco's approved protective coating
systems APCS-17A and APCS-17B for inorganic zinc coatings. 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, who wish to obtain initial approval for products that have not
previously been qualified in accordance with this specification.

1.2 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.

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.

3 References

References noted below shall be of the latest edition, addenda, or revision in effect:
a) On the date of the Purchase Order.
b) On the date testing is begun if there is no Purchase Order involved.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

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

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 7 September 2016 Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

SAEP-1200 Process Flow Requirements for Qualification

Procedures of Industrial Coating and Abrasive
Blasting Products

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-060 Packaging Requirements for Coatings

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-H-001 Inorganic Zinc Primer (Solvent Based)
(APCS-17A)
SAES-H-001 Inorganic Zinc Primer (Water Based)
(APCS-17B)
SAES-H-101V Approved Saudi Aramco Data Sheets - Paints and
Coatings

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM A36 Structural Steel
ASTM D520 Zinc Dust Pigments
ASTM D521 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Zinc Dust
ASTM D562 Consistency of Paints Measuring Krebs Unit (KU)
Viscosity Using a Stormer-Type Viscometer
(Metallic Zinc Powder)
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 D1654 Method for Evaluation of Painted or Coated
Specimens Subjected to Corrosive Environments
ASTM D2485 Evaluating Coatings for High Temperature Service
ASTM D3359 Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test
ASTM D3363 Film Hardness by Pencil Test
ASTM D5894 Cyclic Salt Fog/UV Exposure of Painted Metal,
(Alternating Exposures in a Fog/Dry Cabinet and
a UV/Condensation Cabinet)

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 7 September 2016 Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

The Society for Protective Coatings

SSPC PA 2 Measurement of Dry Coating Thickness with
Magnetic Gages
SSPC SP 10/NACE No. 2 Surface Preparation Specification White Metal
Blast Cleaning
SSPC-Paint 20 Zinc-Rich Primers (Type I, Inorganic) dated April 1,
2002
SSPC-Paint 29 Zinc Dust Pigmented Primer, Performance Based
SSPC-Vis 1 Visual Standard for Abrasive Blast Cleaned Steel

International Standard Organization (ISO)

ISO 8501-1 Rust Grades and Preparation Grades of Uncoated
Steel Substrates and of Steel Substrates after
Overall Removal of Previous Coatings
ISO 8503-5 Replica Tape Method for the Determination of the
Surface Profile

4 General Requirements

4.1 For purposes of this specification, the Buyer's Representative shall be the
Responsible Standardization Agency Representative (RSA).

4.2 Qualification of any product under this specification shall be in strict compliance
with SAEP-1200. In order to qualify a coating system as acceptable under this
specification, the coating supplier must submit a certified test report documenting
to the RUS 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. This report shall be
submitted to Saudi Aramco Coating / CSD for review and approval.

4.3 Laboratory Report

4.3.1 Testing can only be considered if conducted at a third party laboratory

that is accepted by Saudi Aramco.

4.3.2 The third party test report shall include all the tests mentioned in this
specification, unless otherwise specified by CSD approved test protocol.

4.3.3 The final report shall include illustrative photos of all panels before and
after testing.

4.3.4 The third party laboratory shall report the results of the tests to Saudi

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 7 September 2016 Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

Aramco, first. Upon approval, the report can be then released to the
coating manufacturer. The third party laboratory can only report the
results. However, interpretation of the results and making the final
conclusion is solely the role and responsibility of CSD.

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

4.4 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
approved independent laboratory. The coating quality assurance of zinc-rich
coatings Type I shall follow the requirement in SSPC-Paint 20. This test report
shall be submitted to the Saudi Aramco RSA for review and approval if the data
presented by the Supplier satisfies all the requirements.

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

5 Qualification Tests and Requirements

5.1 Modification to SSPC-Paint 20

All paint supplied under this Specification shall meet the requirements of
SSPC-Paint 20 (namely composition, mixing, pot life, storage life, working
properties, flash point, mud cracking, adhesion, and inspection) except as
modified below:
Paragraph 5.0: Shall be replaced by paragraph 5.2.2.1 of this Specification.
Paragraph 8.0: Shall be replaced by paragraph 5.2.3 of this Specification.
Paragraphs 9, 11, 12: Delete requirements.

5.2 Requirements in Addition to SSPC-Paint 20

5.2.1 Physical Property Tests

Hardness: When cured for 24 hours at 20C and 50-60% relative

humidity, the cured film shall have a hardness equivalent of not less than
2H when tested in accordance with ASTM D3363.

5.2.2 Steel Panel Preparation

5.2.2.1 Test panels shall be ASTM A36 hot rolled steel approximately

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 7 September 2016 Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

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.

5.2.2.2 The surface cleanliness of the test panels shall meet (but not
exceed) the requirements of SSPC SP 10, Near White Blast
Cleaning (ISO 8501-1 Sa2-, Very Thorough Blast Cleaning)
as per APCS 17A/B.

5.2.2.3 The profile of blasted surface shall be 40-65 micrometers

(1.5 - 2.5 mils) and shall be determined with replica tape as per
ISO 8503-5.

5.2.2.4 Mix, apply, and cure the coating in accordance with the
Vendor's recommendations. Measure and report the dry film
thickness in accordance with SSPC PA 2. The dry film
thickness shall be in the range of 65 - 100 micrometers
(2.5 - 4 mils) as per APCS 17A/B.

5.2.2.5 The panels shall be fully cured by holding for 30 days at a

minimum humidity of 55% before performance testing is
commenced.

5.2.3 Performance Tests

5.2.3.1 Heat Resistance

Using panels prepared in accordance with 5.2.2, test the

coating according to ASTM D2485 Method B, with the
following modifications;
- The heating schedule shall be as per Table 1.

Table 1 - Elevated Temperature Testing

Heating Schedule
8 hrs at 95C
16 hrs at 150C
8 hrs at 200C
16 hrs at 250C
8 hrs at 300C
16 hrs at 350C
8 hrs at 400C

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 7 September 2016 Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

- The panels post heating shall be evaluated and pass the

requirement in Table 2 before continuing onto salt fog testing.

Table 2 - Coating System Evaluation

Standard Acceptable Rating
Evaluating Degree of
ASTM D714 No blisters
Blistering of Paint
Evaluating Degree of
ASTM D660 No checking
Checking of Exterior Paints
Evaluating Degree of No cracking
ASTM D661 Cracking of Exterior Paints
Abnormal Discoloration None
Measuring Adhesion by Classification 4 or
ASTM D3359
Tape Test better

- Each heat exposed panel(s) shall be subjected to salt fog for

3,000 hrs and shall be evaluated every 500 hrs according to
the criteria in Table 3.

Table 3 - Salt Fog Test

Standard Acceptable Rating
Evaluating Degree of
ASTM D714 No blisters
Blistering of Paint
Evaluating Degree of
ASTM D660 No checking
Checking of Exterior Paints
Evaluating Degree of
ASTM D661 No cracking
Cracking of Exterior Paints
Evaluating Degree of Rusting
ASTM D610 10 or better
on Painted Steel Surfaces

5.2.3.2 Weathering Resistance

Using panels prepared in accordance with 5.2.2, scribe the fully

cured coating in accordance with ASTM D1654 and expose to
a cyclic prohesion and UV/condensation regime as detailed in
ASTM D5894 for 15 full cycles (5,040 hours or 30 weeks).
At the conclusion of the test, coating shall meet the criteria of
Table 4.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 7 September 2016 Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

Table 4 - Performance Test

Acceptable
Standard
Rating
Evaluating Degree of Blistering
ASTM D714 No blisters
of Paints
Evaluating Degree of Checking
ASTM D660 No checking
of Exterior Paints
Evaluating Degree of Cracking
ASTM D661 No cracking
of Exterior Paints
Evaluating Degree of Rusting
ASTM D610 10
on Painted Steel Surfaces
Standard Evaluation of Painted Rating of Failure
ASTM D1654 or Coated Specimens Subjected at Scribe shall be:
to Corrosive Environments 8

5.2.4 Recoat Time

Prepare two test panels in accordance with paragraph 5.2.2. Cure the
panels for 48 hours at 55 to 80% relative humidity and 25C 1C.
Topcoat one of the panels with 100-150 micrometers (4.0 - 6.0 mils) of
an epoxy paint (APCS-1A topcoat or equivalent). Topcoat the other
panel with 15 - 40 micrometers (0.5 - 1.5 mils) of a silicone aluminum
paint (APCS-11A topcoat or equivalent). Allow the topcoats to cure.
The panels shall show no signs of blistering or pinholing.

5.3 Coating Materials Identification

5.3.1 During qualification of a new coating system, the coating supplier shall
submit a fingerprint of the coating. The fingerprint shall be used in
subsequent routine batch testing of coating supplied for use in the field,
to confirm the consistency of the coatings supplied with reference to
qualified coatings.

5.3.2 In case of multicomponent systems, coating suppliers shall submit a

fingerprint of each component in addition to the overall system.
Mixing ratio shall be in accordance with the products Technical Data
Sheet.

5.3.3 Sample preparation and test procedure should be in accordance with

ASTM E1252 or ASTM D7588; whichever is applicable.

5.3.4 The results shall be represented in spectra where peaks must be properly
labeled. Identification shall include the sample name, batch number,

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 7 September 2016 Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

date and time, analyst and/or company name, reference standard,

apparatus name, spectral correction applied if any, and any other
information necessary to duplicate sampling and/or spectral collection.

6 Method of Packaging

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

Revision Summary
16 July 2011 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and
reissued with editorial revision to remove the committee members list.
7 September 2016 Major revision.
1. Delete superseded standards and add new standards.
2. Add more guidelines for testing procedure.
3. Update to the latest version of SSPC-Paint 20 (Overlay).
4. Update referenced standards.
5. Clarify some of the requirements.
6. Add two more tests; Weathering, Heat Resistance and Coating Materials Identification,
to be in line with international standards.
7. The requirement to include this document in each purchase order was removed as this
document is intended for the initial qualification of new products only.

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