Every pipeline is exposed to the risk of external corrosion. Coatings are a first line of defense, but no coating system is 100% failure-proof. In order to avoid potentially disastrous consequences, operators are responsible for ensuring the coating system used meets or exceeds the requirements specified in Codes and Standards. These include the ability to mitigate corrosion, have sufficient adhesion, and ductility. Qualifying, or performing tests on a coating system, can help verify the selected system meets the documented requirements.
High quality coating qualification testing demands superior material testing expertise and equipment. With the addition of a full suite of new equipment, ADV Integrity has added an array of coating testing capabilities to its suite of services available to operators as part of its full-scale testing and consulting. Combined with capabilities such as numerical modeling and analysis, ADV Integrity is uniquely situated to address the demand for coating qualification services by providing tests, including:
Cathodic Disbondment
Adhesion
Wet Adhesion
Impact Resistance
Bendability
Penetration Resistance
Coating qualification testing may be necessary in a variety of situations:
Testing and validating new coating products and technology
Qualifying coating products and processes for new pipeline construction
Verifying coating protection on current pipeline systems
This mix of mechanical and environmental testing proves coating strength, ductility, impact resistance, and abrasion resistance. It also verifies the expected life of the coating, given its environment.
ADV Integrity looks forward to continuing to provide coating testing services in addition to its current services offerings. It is another step in ensuring the best possible operating conditions for the pipeline industry.
David Futch, PE
