Desafio profissional

SSPC-TU 11 December 1, 2010

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE NO. 11
Inspection of Fluorescent Coating Systems

1. Scope

Protective coating systems, when properly selected and applied, will protect the underlying substrate from corrosion and deterioration. Confirming that the coating has been applied correctly can require an extensive and lengthy inspection process. The use of fluorescent coatings in a coating system permits faster identification of holidays and areas with low film thickness. This technology update discusses the technique and the equipment required to inspect a coating system that incorporates fluorescent properties.

coating system has been applied correctly and will provide the expected service life. The United States Navy took a leading part in the advancement of this technology when in 2003 it included ultraviolet fluorescence as a requirement for Type VII (solvent free) tank linings meeting MIL-PRF-23236.(1),1 The same technology can be used for many other structures or pieces of equipment that are difficult to inspect. Virtually any type of coating can be made to fluoresce with the addition of fluorescent pigments or optically active additives. These additives are similar to other colorants and optical effects additives in coatings. Depending on the application, the fluorescent effect is available either as a fluorescent effects product line formulated by a coatings manufacturer, or as a concentrated colorant formulated for field addition to a coating. The coatings applicator should consult the coatings supplier, coatings specification and asset owner to determine which products are appropriate for a specific project. 3.2 Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum just outside the visible range and adjacent to the violet color of the visible spectrum. The UV-A range is between 315 nanometers (nm) and 400 nm. This is the typical UV range for fluorescent coating