Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-067 13 July 2011

Qualification Requirements for Internal
Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services
Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................ 2
3 References.................................................... 3
4 General Requirements.................................. 4
5 Qualification Tests and Requirements........... 5
6 Method of Packaging................................... 10

Previous Issue: 28 February 2005 Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 10
Primary contact: Mansour, Mana Hamad on 966-3-8760264

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2011. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-067
Issue Date: 13 July 2011 Qualification Requirements for Internal
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016 Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services

1 Scope

This specification defines the minimum mandatory requirements for qualifying

individual coating product for use in Saudi Aramco's approved protective coating
systems APCS-2A , APCS-2B, and APCS-2C This specification also shall be used to
qualify the thick polymeric coating systems under APCS-2E, APCS-2F, and APCS-2G.
The specification shall be used when any of the following situations occurs:

1.1 Initial Product Approval

This specification shall be given to coating manufacturers, or other vendors of

coating products, who need to obtain initial approval for products that have not
previously been qualified in accordance with this specification.

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 in accordance with this specification.

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 should be used for periodic product compliance checks on

previously approved coatings. It shall be given to the organization who shall
conduct 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, Dhahran.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-067
Issue Date: 13 July 2011 Qualification Requirements for Internal
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016 Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services

3 References

The selection of material and equipment, 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) On the date of the Purchase Order.
b) On the date of the testing is begun if 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 Specification

09-SAMSS-060 Packaging Requirements for Coatings

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-H-101 APCS-2A
SAES-H-101 APCS-2B
SAES-H-101 APCS-2C
SAES-H-101 APCS-2E
SAES-H-101 APCS-2F
SAES-H-101 APCS-2G
Epoxy Coating System for General Immersion
Service at Temperature up to 90°C (Self
Priming)
Epoxy Coating System for Potable Water
Immersion Service at Temperature up to 83°C
(Self-Priming)
Epoxy Coating System for Immersion Service at
Temperatures up to 120°C
Solvent free Epoxy Coating applied in a Single-
Coat for Immersion Service at Temperature up
to 90°C
Glass Flake Filled Polyester Fast Curing Systems
applied in a Single-Coat for Immersion Service
at Temperature up to 90°C
Glass Flake Filled Vinyl Ester Fast Curing System
applied in a single coat for Immersion Service
at Temperature up to 110°C

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-067
Issue Date: 13 July 2011 Qualification Requirements for Internal
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016 Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM D714 Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints
ASTM D1193 Reagent Grade Water
ASTM D1640 Drying, Curing or Film Formation of Organic
Coatings at Room Temperature
ASTM D1849 Package Stability of Paint
ASTM G42 Cathodic Disbonding of Immersed Coatings
subjected to Elevated or Cyclic Temperature

National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)

TM-01-74 Laboratory Methods for the Evaluation of
Protective Coatings and Lining Materials in
Immersion Service

The Society for Protective Coatings

SSPC-PA2 Measurement of Dry Coating Thickness with
Magnetic Gages
SSPC-Vis 1 Visual Standard for Abrasive Blast Cleaned Steel

4 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 must submit a certified test report documenting to the RSA 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 and approval.

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

4.4 All coating systems supplied for use in potable water service as in (APCS-2B)
or any other systems shall have been tested per the appropriate regulatory
requirements and certification shall be furnished attesting to acceptability for use
in potable water systems. The certification shall be valid for 24 months from the

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-067
Issue Date: 13 July 2011 Qualification Requirements for Internal
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016 Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services

date of issuance, and thereafter, it shall be renewed every 24 months to maintain

the approval consecutively.

5 Qualification Tests and Requirements

5.1 Physical Properties Tests

5.1.1 Package Stability of Paint

When stored at 52°C ± 1°C for 6 months in accordance with

ASTM D1849, the sample shall meet the following requirements:
a) Weight loss - 0
b) Skinning, pressure and corrosion - 10
c) Settling - 6 or better
d) Grains, lumps, or streaks - 8 or better

5.1.2 Spray Properties

The ready mixed coat shall be easily applied at the maximum dry film
thickness specified in paragraph 5.2.4, to a vertical surface with no
tendency to orange peel, sag, creep or run.

5.1.3 Drying Times

When tested in accordance with ASTM D1640, the Dry-Through (or

Dry-To-Handle) Time shall be 8 hours or less and the Dry-To-Recoat
Time shall be in accordance with Manufacturer’s published material data
sheets.

5.1.4 Usable Potlife

For APCS- 2A, B, and C at 40°C, the viscosity of the ready-mixed paint
shall remain within the range recommended by the manufacturer for
spray ability, without adding thinners, for not less than 30 minutes.

For APCS-2E, F, and G the usable pot life requirement shall be in

accordance with the Manufacturer’s data sheet.

5.1.5 Curing

APCS-2A/2B/2C: The paint shall cure completely within 7 days at a

temperature of 20°C after the application.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-067
Issue Date: 13 July 2011 Qualification Requirements for Internal
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016 Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services

APCS-2E: The paint shall cure completely within five (5) days at a
temperature of 20°C.

APCS-2F and 2G: The paint shall completely cure within 3 days at a
temperature of 20°C.

5.1.6 Post Curing

Coatings application in lower temperatures than that described in this

standard may require post curing to accelerate the full curing time. Refer
to the manufacturer’s materials data sheet and consult with CSD coating
engineers for the appropriate post curing procedure.

5.1.7 Adhesion Test

5.1.7.1 Prepare test panels as in Section 5.2.

5.1.7.2 Determine the adhesion of the prime coat to the substrate,

Inter-coat adhesion, or cohesion of any two coats of the
painting system by using adhesion tester, 450 kg capacity.
Lightly sand the coated surface and aluminum dolly and apply
a suitable epoxy adhesive. Allow the adhesive to cure as
directed by the adhesive supplier. Scribe the coating and
adhesive around the dolly prior to testing. Make a minimum of
three trials and report the average.

5.1.7.3 The acceptable average shall be at least 4150 kPa (600 psi) for
APCS-2A, 2B, and 2C. The acceptable average shall be at
least 6950 kPa (1000 psi) for APCS-2E, 2F, and 2G.

5.1.7.4 For APCS-2E, F, and G determine the adhesion of the total

film thickness to the metal substrate by using the mechanical
pull-off tester ELCOMETER 106 only. The acceptable
average shall be at least 3874 psi.

5.2 Test Panel Preparation

5.2.1 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.

5.2.2 Abrasive blast the test panels to meet the cleanliness requirements of
White Metal Blast, SSPC SP5 (SIS Sa 3).

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-067
Issue Date: 13 July 2011 Qualification Requirements for Internal
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016 Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services

5.2.3 The profile of the blasted surface shall be:

APCS-2 A, 2B, and 2C: 40 - 65 microns.
APCS-2E, F, and G: 60 -100 microns.

5.2.4 Coatings shall be mixed, applied and cured in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Dry film thickness (DFT) shall be
measured and recorded in accordance with SSPC-PA2, and shall meet
the following requirements:

APCS-2A/2B/2C:
Minimum three coats
Each coat: 125 micrometers maximum
Total system: 275 - 375 micrometers

APCS-2E:
Single coat or maximum two coats
Total system: 400 - 600 micrometers.

APCS-2F and 2G
Single coat or maximum two coats
Total system: 600 – 1000 micrometers

If a holding primer is used with this system, the primer shall be tested as
a part of the system total dry film thickness.

5.2.4.1 For coating systems employing a holding primer, apply holding

primer at approximately 40 to 60 microns dry film thickness.

5.2.4.2 Cure the panel at 60°C for 24 hours before applying the coating
system in accordance with paragraph 5.2.4.

5.3 Immersion Tests

5.3.1 Test panels shall be prepared in accordance with paragraph 5.2.

5.3.2 All tests shall be performed in duplicate.

5.3.3 The fully cured coating shall be tested per NACE Standard TM-01-74,
Procedure A-One Sided Testing.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-067
Issue Date: 13 July 2011 Qualification Requirements for Internal
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016 Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services

5.3.3.1 Panels coated with systems APCS-2A and APCS-2E shall be

exposed to the following test conditions:
a) Reagent Grade Distilled Water which meets the
requirements of ASTM D1193, Type I. Test solution
temperature shall be 90°C ±2°C.
b) A one-to-one mixture mineral spirits and brine (5% by
weight sodium chloride in distilled water). Test solution
temperature shall be 90°C ± 2°C.

5.3.3.2 Panels coated with system APCS-2B shall be tested in potable

water at 90°C ± 2°C.

5.3.3.3 Panels coated with systems APCS-2C, 2F, 2G shall be tested in

Reagent Grade Distilled Water meeting the requirements of
ASTM D1193, Type I. Test temperature shall be 110°C ±2°C
in a pressurized test chamber.

5.3.3.4 At the conclusion of six months exposure in immersion

condition, the coating systems shall be evaluated to meet the
criteria in Table 1.

Table 1 – Immersion Test Acceptance Rating

Standard Acceptable Rating

ASTM D714
Evaluating Degree of Blistering No blisters
of Paints
ASTM D610
Evaluating Degree of Rusting 9 or better
on Painted Steel Surfaces
When tested in accordance
with paragraph 6.2.4 of
TM-01-74, the coating shall
show no more than a two pencil
NACE TM-01-74 hardness difference and the
Hardness and Adhesion adhesion between wet and dry
portions of the panel shall be
similar. After conditioning in
laboratory for seven days there
shall be no difference.

5.4 Cathodic Disbondment

When tested in accordance with ASTM G42, Method A, at 90°C the maximum
allowable radius of disbondment shall be 30 mm.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-067
Issue Date: 13 July 2011 Qualification Requirements for Internal
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016 Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services

5.5 Chemical Resistance

5.5.1 High temperature - high pressure (Autoclave) chemical resistance test

results shall not show more than 4 blisters of size 8 or less, as defined in
ASTM D714 and no loss of adhesion per the procedure outlined in
paragraph 5.1.6.2 of this specification. They shall not show any sign of
cracking or delamination.

5.5.2 The fully cured specimens will be immersed half-way in the specified
test solutions in the autoclave. After sealing, the test chamber shall be
heated to the test temperature specified in Table 2. Stable conditions
(temperature/pressure) shall be maintained for a minimum of 18 hours,
after which the heat shall be discontinued. The unit shall be cooled to
85°C and the pressure released over a time period of one minute.
The specimens shall be conditioned for one hour at 25°C prior to being
assessed.

Table 2 – Chemical Resistance Test Parameters

Test Test Test Test
Coating System
Medium Temp. Pressure Time
Formation water brine
APCS-2A 5% H2S
90°C 6890 kPa 24 hrs
and APCS-2E 5% CO2
90% methane
Distilled water
APCS-2A, 2C, 5% H2S
90°C 6890 kPa 24 hrs
2E, 2F, and 2G 5% CO2
90% methane
Formation Brine
water, 5% H2S,
APCS-2Fand 2G 110°C 6890kPa 24 hrs
5%CO2, and 90%
Methane

5.5.3 The pressurizing gas shall be methane.

5.6 Coating Materials Identification

The manufacturers and vendors shall provide the fingerprints of the products
supplied under APCS-2E, 2F, and 2G in this specification. The fingerprint of all
batches related to each product under these three APCS must be submitted along
with the material technical data sheets for RSA review and approval. FTIR
technique shall be used as the method for Infra Red scanning in this
specification.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee 09-SAMSS-067
Issue Date: 13 July 2011 Qualification Requirements for Internal
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2016 Coating Systems Used in Immersion Services

6 Method of Packaging

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

Revision Summary
13 July 2011 Revised the “Next Planned Update” Reaffirmed the contents of the document and reissued with
editorial revision to remove the committee members list.

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