Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-030
22 June 2011
Qualification Requirements for Conversion
Coating/Alkyd Coating System (APCS-7)
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: 30 May 2009 Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014

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Primary contact: Khashram, Maher S (Saud) on 966-3-876-0261
CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2011. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-030
Issue Date: 22 June 2011
Qualification Requirements for Conversion
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
Coating/Alkyd Coating System (APCS-7)

Scope
This Specification establishes the mandatory requirements for qualifying coating
systems for use in Saudi Aramco's approved protective coating system APCS-7 in
SAES-H-101. These coating systems consist of a specific rust conversion primer
topcoated by a specific alkyd enamel or aluminum alkyd and strictly applied within the
range of dry film thicknesses tested.
This specification 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 systems, that wish to obtain initial
approval for coating systems 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 systems 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 may be used for

periodic coating system 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-030
Issue Date: 22 June 2011
Qualification Requirements for Conversion
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
Coating/Alkyd Coating System (APCS-7)

References
References noted below shall be of the latest edition, addenda, or revision in effect on:
a)

the date of the Purchase Order.

b)

the date testing is begun when there is no Purchase order involved.

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 Materials System Specifications

09-SAMSS-021

Alkyd Enamel Coating System (APCS-6)

09-SAMSS-035

Aluminum Pigmented Alkyd Coating System

(APCS-4)

09-SAMSS-060

Packaging Requirements for Coatings

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard

SAES-H-101, APCS-7
3.2

Rust Conversion Primer/Alkyd Topcoat System

Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials
ASTM A36

Structural Steel

ASTM B117

Salt Spray (Fog) Testing

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

Method for Evaluation of Painted or Coated

Specimen Subjected to Corrosive Environment

ASTM D1849

Package Stability of Paint

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-030
Issue Date: 22 June 2011
Qualification Requirements for Conversion
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
Coating/Alkyd Coating System (APCS-7)

Society for Protective Coatings

SSPC SP2

Hand Tool Cleaning

SSPC SP5

White Metal Blast Cleaning

SSPC PA2

Measurement of Dry Paint Thickness with

Magnetic Gages

SSPC Vis-1

Pictorial Surface Preparation Standards for

Painting Steel Structures

General Requirements
4.1

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

Responsible Standardization Agency Representative (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. This report 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.

4.3

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

Qualification Tests and Requirements

5.1

Physical Properties Tests

Notes on Applicability:
For initial system approval (conversion coating plus alkyd topcoat), if the alkyd
topcoat being tested for approval in accordance with this specification has been
previously approved in accordance with either 09-SAMSS-021 or
09-SAMSS-035, the physical properties tests in this section may be omitted for
the topcoat product. If the conversion coating has been previously approved in
accordance with this specification, the physical properties tests in this section
may be omitted for the conversion coating.
5.1.1

Package Stability of Paint

Package stability shall be determined for both the conversion coating and
for the alkyd topcoat. When stored at 52 1C for 6 months in

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-030
Issue Date: 22 June 2011
Qualification Requirements for Conversion
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
Coating/Alkyd Coating System (APCS-7)

accordance with ASTM D1849, the samples shall meet the following
requirements:

5.1.2

a)

Weight Loss - O

b)

Skinning, Pressure or Corrosion -10

c)

Settling - 6 or better

d)

Grains, lumps or streaks - 8 or better

Spray Properties
Spray properties shall be determined separately for the conversion
coating and for the alkyd topcoat.
The conversion coating shall be spray applied to a vertical surface at the
wet film recommended by the material manufacturer. The full wet
thickness shall be applied in one coat. The freshly sprayed conversion
coating shall show no tendency to sag, creep or run.
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
50 micrometers for alkyd enamels and between 25 and 40 micrometers
for aluminum alkyds. The freshly sprayed coatings shall show no
tendency to sag, creep, or run.

5.1.3

Brushing Properties
Brushing properties shall be determined separately for the conversion
coating and for the alkyd topcoat. Each coating shall be brush applied to
a separate vertical surface at the wet film thickness recommended by the
material manufacturer. The full thickness shall be applied in one coat.
The freshly applied coatings shall brush easily, possess good leveling
properties, provide uniform coverage and good hiding, and show no
running or sagging tendencies.

5.1.4

Drying Times
The room temperature dry times for the conversion coating and for the
alkyd topcoat shall be determined in accordance with ASTM D1640.
The conversion coating shall dry to touch in not more than 15 minutes
and shall dry hard in not more than 1 hour. The topcoat shall dry to
touch in not more than 2 hours for alkyd enamels and 4 hours for
aluminum alkyds.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-030
Issue Date: 22 June 2011
Qualification Requirements for Conversion
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
Coating/Alkyd Coating System (APCS-7)

5.2

Performance Tests
5.2.1

5.2.2

Steel Panel Preparation

5.2.1.1

Test panels shall be ASTM A36 hot rolled steel approximately

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

The test panels shall be solvent washed and abrasive blast

cleaned to a white metal degree of cleanliness as defined by
SSPC SP5. There is no anchor profile requirement.

5.2.1.3

The blast cleaned panels shall be rusted by wetting the surface

with potable water several times a day until a thick layer of rust
forms over the entire surface. This rusted surface shall comply
with SSPC Vis-1, Rust Grade C.

5.2.1.4

The rusted panels shall be prepared for coating by hand wire

brushing to a condition equivalent to SSPC SP2 in order to
remove all loose material so that the remaining rust is tightly
adherent.

Coating Application
5.2.2.1

Mix the conversion coating in accordance with the material

manufacturer's recommendations and apply it to the panels by
spray. Apply the conversion coating in one coat at the wet film
thickness necessary to yield the minimum dry film thickness
recommended by the material manufacturer.

5.2.2.2

After a minimum dry time of 1 hour, measure the dry film

thickness of the conversion coating on each panel in accordance
with SSPC PA2 and record the results. Also record the
Manufacturer and complete product identification of the rust
conversion coating tested.

5.2.2.3

Allow the conversion coating to cure for the minimum amount

of time recommended by the material manufacturer. Select the
alkyd topcoat that will be tested as a system with the
conversion coating primer and apply it over the primer. Mix,
apply, and cure the alkyd topcoat in strict accordance with the
topcoat manufacturer's recommendations.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-030
Issue Date: 22 June 2011
Qualification Requirements for Conversion
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
Coating/Alkyd Coating System (APCS-7)

5.2.3

a)

Record the Manufacturer and complete product

identification of the alkyd tested.

b)

Measure and record the dry film thickness of the alkyd

topcoats for each panel. The dry film thickness shall be a
minimum of 50 microns and a maximum of 75 microns
above the dry film thickness of the conversion coating.
The dry film thickness shall be measured in accordance
with SSPC PA2.

Coating Compatibility
Compatibility of the topcoat with the conversion coating shall be noted
during panel preparation. The panels shall be carefully inspected
visually for signs of incompatibility during application and after curing
of the topcoats, and the results of the inspection shall be recorded.
There shall be no wrinkling, blistering or lifting.

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 20
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
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 conversion
coating and/or the metal on 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
500 hours in the salt fog cabinet. At the conclusion of the test, the
coating shall be evaluated for and shall meet the following criteria:

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-030
Issue Date: 22 June 2011
Qualification Requirements for Conversion
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
Coating/Alkyd Coating System (APCS-7)

Standard
ASTM D660, Evaluating Degree of
Blistering of Paint
ASTM D660, Evaluating Degree of
checking of Exterior Paint
ASTM D661, Evaluating Degree of
Cracking of Exterior Paint
ASTM D610, Evaluating Degree of
Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
ASTM D1654, Standard Evaluation of
Painted or Coated Specimens Subject
to Corrosive Environments

Acceptable Rating
8F
No Checking
No Cracking
9
Rust creep from the scribe shall not
exceed 2.5 mm

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

30 May 2009
22 June 2011

Revision Summary
Revised the Next Planned Update. Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and reissued
with no other changes.
Editorial revision to remove the committee members list.

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