SSPC -TR 1/NACE 6G194

October 1, 1994
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

SSPC-TR 1/NACE 6G194

INFORMATIONAL REPORT AND TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

Thermal Pre-Cleaning
NACE International (NACE) and SSPC: The Society for Approved October 1994
Protective Coatings (SSPC) issue this technical committee report Copyright (c)1994, NACE International and SSPC
in conformance with the best current technology regarding the
specific subject. This technical committee report represents a NOTICE TO THE READER: The NACE and SSPC
consensus of those individual members who have reviewed releases of this publication contain
this document, its scope, and provisions. It is intended to aid identical wording in the same sequence.
the manufacturer, the consumer, and the general public. Its Publication format may differ.
acceptance does not in any respect preclude anyone, whether
he has adopted the report or not, from manufacturing, marketing, SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
purchasing, or using products, processes, or procedures not 40 24th Street, Sixth Floor
addressed in this report. Nothing contained in this NACE/SSPC Pittsburgh, PA 15222
technical committee report is to be construed as granting any +1 412-281-2331
right, by implication or otherwise, to manufacture, sell, or use
in connection with any method, apparatus, or product covered NACE International
by Letters Patent, or as indemnifying or protecting anyone 1440 South Creek
against liability for infringement of Letters Patent. This technical Houston, TX 77218-8340
committee report represents current technology and should +1 281-228-6200
in no way be interpreted as a restriction on the use of better Printed by SSPC
procedures or materials. Neither is this report intended to apply
in all cases relating to the subject. Unpredictable circumstances Foreword
may negate the usefulness of this technical committee report in
specific instances. NACE and SSPC assume no responsibility Although thermal precleaning has long been a standard
for the interpretation or use of this technical committee report procedure in the oil and gas industry as a method of surface
by other parties and accept responsibility for only those official preparation for the application of high-bake coatings to the
interpretations issued by NACE or SSPC in accordance with interior surfaces of oilfield tubular goods,(1) it is now commonly
their governing procedures and policies which preclude the used in the process industry as well. The surfaces of tanks,
issuance of interpretations by individual volunteers. rail tank cars, tubular goods, and process equipment that have
Users of this technical committee report are responsible for been exposed to a corrosive environment are usually pitted and
reviewing appropriate health, safety, and regulatory documents scaled and contain chemical contaminants both on the surface
and for determining their applicability in relation to this report and within the grain boundaries of the substrate. Failure to
prior to its use. This NACE/SSPC technical committee report remove deleterious amounts of these contaminants ultimately
may not necessarily address all safety problems and hazards results in blistering and premature failure of the coating.(2) Years
associated with the use of materials, operations, and/or equip- of industry experience have shown that abrasive blasting alone
ment detailed or referred to within this document. will not adequately remove all contaminants, especially in the
CAUTIONARY NOTICE: NACE/SSPC technical committee bottom of pits.
reports are subject to periodic review, and may be revised or Thermal precleaning is not used exclusively; rather, it is
withdrawn at any time without prior notice. The user is cautioned a surface preparation method that, when used in conjunc-
to obtain the latest edition. NACE and SSPC require that action tion with other cleaning methods, can achieve the degree
be taken to reaffirm, revise, or withdraw this technical committee of cleanliness required for a successful coating application.
report no later than five years from the date of initial publication.
(1)
Thermal precleaning procedures for the oilfield tubular goods are a special case requiring higher temperature ranges for adequate degra-
dation. For specific information on these procedures, refer to NACE Standard RP0191(latest revision), "The Application of Internal Plastic
Coatings for Oilfield Tubular Goods and Accessories."1
(2)
Trimber cites the most commonly used contemporary methods for detecting contaminants and then lists the most recent and generally industry-
accepted levels of residual contaminants that will not adversely affect coating performance.2 The list includes the following information:
1. Weldon, et. al., whose laboratory work indicates that chloride levels need to be less than 5 µg/cm2 and sulfate levels less than 10 µg/cm2.
2. Swedish Corrosion Institute, studies indicate levels less than 2 µg/cm2 and 10 µg/cm2 respectively.
3. British Maritime studies indicate levels less than 7 µg/cm2 and 16 µg/cm2 respectively.
4. When coating thickness exceeds 250 µm (10 mils), the tolerance level appears to be good at concentrations up to 50 µg/cm2 for both types of contaminants.
5. The conclusion is that the data indicates levels of chloride contamination on the order of 2 to 10 µg/cm2 and sulfate contamination on the order of 10 to 20 µg/cm2 can adversely
affect the performance of most coatings.
The bibliography lists other articles that address this subject.


SSPC-TR 1/NACE 6G194
October 1, 1994
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
Thermal precleaning is typically used in conjunction with
abrasive blasting, high-pressure water cleaning, steaming,
chemical treatment (e.g., phosphoric acid), or several repeti-
tive applications of thermal precleaning and abrasive blasting
in order to facilitate the removal of deleterious levels of salts
and carbonaceous materials produced as a result of thermal
precleaning.
Within industry there is sufficient experience with thermal
precleaning, particularly by coating application shops, to
warrant the issuance of this state-of-the-art report by means of
which industry can refer to a consensus document for thermal
precleaning in coating specifications.
This state-of-the-art report was prepared by NACE/SSPC
Task Group B on Surface Preparation by Thermal Cleaning,(3)
which is a component of NACE Unit Committee T-6G on
Surface Preparation for Protective Coatings and the SSPC
Surface Preparation Committee. This report is issued by NACE
International under the auspices of Group Committee T-6 on
Protective Coatings and Linings and by SSPC: The Society for
Protective Coatings.
General
This state-of-the-art report addresses the use of thermal
precleaning for tanks, vessels, rail tank cars and hopper cars,
and process equipment when preparing surfaces for the ap-
plication of high-performance or high-bake coating and lining
systems.
Definitions
Thermal Precleaning: Thermal precleaning is the ap-
plication of high temperatures to aid in the partial or complete
degradation, embrittlement, and/or dilution and subsequent
removal of contaminants and failed or old coatings from the
surface of a substrate prior to abrasive blast cleaning and coat-
ing application. Dry heat and wet heat are two common types
of thermal precleaning.
Dry Heat: The structure to be thermally precleaned is
subjected to elevated temperatures by appropriate means,
such as an oven, in order to: (1) thermally degrade wax, grease,
oil, tar, drawing compounds (if the proper temperatures are
achieved), and some hydrocarbon-based volatiles; and (2)
embrittle existing coatings to facilitate their removal from ferrous
and nonferrous substrates. Thermal precleaning removes all
volatile contaminants from the substrate that might otherwise
come out during the curing process and result in blistering of
the coating.
Wet Heat: The structure to be thermally precleaned is
heated to elevated temperatures by steam (pressurized or
unpressurized) for the purpose of diluting and removing salts
of oxidizing acids such as nitric and sulfuric acid, mineral
(3)
Chaired by the late Carroll Steely, formerly with Vickers Industrial Coatings, Lyons, Texas.

acids such as hydrochloric acid, alkalies, and other chemical
contaminants such as sulfates and chlorides that either reside
on or have permeated the grain boundaries of ferrous and non-
ferrous surfaces.
Preparation for Thermal Precleaning
All heavy deposits of wax, grease, oil, etc., some of which
may autoignite when heated, are typically removed in accor-
dance with SSPC-SP 1, “Solvent Cleaning.”3 Heavy rust scale,
nodules, tubercles, and other encrusted contaminants can be
removed prior to thermal precleaning in order to facilitate removal
of embedded contaminants. The methods of removal include
abrasive blasting (such as NACE No. 4/SSPC-SP 74), water
blasting or water jetting (in accordance with NACE Standard
RP01725), or mechanical means such as hand or power tool
cleaning (in accordance with SSPC-SP 2,6 or SSPC-SP 37).
Application of Thermal Precleaning
Thermal precleaning is time and temperature related.
Previous experience is generally the governing factor in the
length of time required to effectively remove deleterious amounts
of contaminants from the substrate. The specific temperature
and duration of the heat application vary with the heat method,
type of contaminant, substrate material, and complexity of
substrate configuration.
CAUTION: Some exterior paints or other components
(such as alloys, wooden bolsters, elastomeric materials in
valves, gasket materials, etc.) of the item being heated may be
altered or adversely affected by the applied temperature. Some
compounds/chemicals that are in contact with the substrate
may cause stress corrosion cracking in welds and base metals,
and more elaborate testing/inspection is typically performed in
these cases. The item to be thermally precleaned is typically
inspected for stress corrosion cracking before precleaning, if
possible, or before lining application if base metal is obscured
by existing linings or corrosion deposits. Thermal precleaning
is not intended for use in the removal of hydrogen in steel.
Dry Heat
Thermal precleaning using dry heat may degrade or char
existing coatings and/or remove some contaminants from the
surfaces of tanks, vessels, piping, and other hydrocarbon-
contaminated surfaces. Oven temperatures are typically 232 to
426 °C (450 to 800 °F). Under certain conditions lower tempera-
tures are sometimes used; general practice is that the thermal
precleaning temperature be a minimum of 28 °C (50 °F) above
the curing temperature of the coating to be applied or the operating
temperature of the equipment. When high-bake coatings
are to be applied to a contaminated structure, the structure is
thermally precleaned at a temperature in excess of the final
bake temperature of the coating being applied. This procedure

ensures that contaminants whose volatile temperatures are at
or near the final bake temperature of the coating will have been
released and will not interfere with the final cure and integrity
of the coating being applied. General practice has been that
the dwell time of the thermal precleaning heat exceed the final
cure time of the previously applied coating by a minimum of 30
minutes.
Since ovens are not always practical when working with
large equipment, an alternative method of thermal precleaning
is to insulate the tank or vessel and use ducts to convey heat
into the vessel from portable, non-contaminating natural gas
or LPG heaters, thereby raising the temperature of the metal
substrate to the desired thermal precleaning temperature.
Decomposition of organic materials is related to time and
temperature. Thermal precleaning proceeds slowly with a
gradual rise in temperature until the metal substrate is evenly
heated to the desired temperature. The decomposition time
period begins when this temperature is reached and continues
for as long as necessary to achieve partial or complete decom-
position of organic contaminants.
Salt deposits and carbonaceous residues are typically
removed using high-temperature steam or a hot-water rinse
prior to abrasive blasting.
Wet Heat
Thermal precleaning using high-temperature steam dilutes
acid salts, fatty acids, alkalies, waxes, and other water-soluble
contaminants so that they are more readily removed by high-
pressure water cleaning. Wet heat (steam) is also used to
remove grease and oil in accordance with SSPC-SP 1, “Solvent
Cleaning.” Steam tables list the pressures used to achieve the
desired thermal precleaning temperature. Only pressure-rated
structures are subjected to pressurized thermal precleaning
steam temperatures. Nonpressure-rated vessels are typically
isolated, vented, and insulated before and during the injection
of steam. This procedure ensures that the injected steam will
be able to sustain a substrate temperature at or near 100 °C
(212 °F), usually 93 °C (200 °F).
Because wet heat is usually applied at a lower temperature
than dry heat, longer dwell times are generally used, particularly
when contaminants are embedded in grain boundaries(4) or the
bottom of pits or craters. With severe cases of grain-boundary
or pit contamination, repeated applications of wet heat and
abrasive blasting are often used to remove deleterious levels
of contaminants such that the surface will not immediately
discolor after abrasive blasting.
Abrasive blasting is typically performed after thermal pre-
cleaning operations are completed.
(4)
“In a severe case of grain-boundary corrosion, entire grains are dislodged due to complete deterioration of their boundaries. In such a case,
the surface will appear rough to the naked eye and will feel sugary because of the loose grains.” Source: M. Henthorne, “Fundamentals of
Corrosion,” Chemical Engineering 78, 11 (1971): p. 131.

SSPC -TR 1/NACE 6G194
October 1, 1994
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
Verification of Surface Cleanliness After Thermal
Precleaning
The most common method used by many coatings applica-
tors to determine surface cleanliness is to observe the prepared
surface and carefully note any rapid discoloration. Rapid discol-
oration indicates that contaminants remain on the surface. This
method is not effective in dry environments because moisture is
not present to react with contaminants that may remain on the
surface. Test kits for detecting the presence of visible and/or
nonvisible contaminants are commercially available for use in
the field; several published references and test methods are
cited in Table 1 and the bibliography.
Specific Applications
Thermal precleaning is a valuable aid in the removal of
pre-existing coatings that might be time- and cost-prohibitive to
remove by conventional abrasive blast cleaning. When charred
by thermal precleaning, most coatings lose their adhesion so
that abrasive blasting more readily removes them.
Oilfield tubular lining shops employ thermal precleaning as a
means of volatilizing grease, oils, waxes, and other contaminants
that might otherwise be released during the baking and curing
cycle of high-bake thermoset coatings and cause blistering of
the applied coating.
A commonly accepted practice is to thermally preclean
oilfield tubular goods at 371 to 426 °C (700 to 800 °F) for four
to six hours after the metal reaches the desired temperature
in order to thermally degrade oil, grease, wax, old coatings,
and other organic contaminants encountered in the oil and gas
industry.8
Some companies successfully treat chloride-contaminated
oilfield tubular goods by performing the following: (1) abrasive
blast, (2) preheat to 66°C (150 °F), (3) phosphoric acid wash,
(4) rinse with water, and (5) reblast.9, 10
Process industry lining shops use thermal precleaning in
their work with: (1) process tanks, especially chemical process
and storage tanks, that have old or failed linings and require
reapplication; (2) unlined tanks and equipment that have suffered
metal loss and pitting and now require a lining to provide
extended service; and (3) equipment that has become chemi-
cally contaminated during storage, shipment, or fabrication.
In the power industry, wet heat followed by a hydrogen
peroxide rinse has been used to disinfect water boxes that have
pitted and corroded due to microbiologically induced corrosion
(MIC).11
Mill varnish on pipe has been removed successfully by
thermal precleaning at 288 °C (550 °F) held for one hour,
although thermal precleaning at 260 °C (500 °F) for the same
period of time has not achieved the desired results.
SSPC-TR 1/NACE 6G194
October 1, 1994
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

TABLE 1
CANDIDATE PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL TESTS FOR CONTAMINANTS REMAINING ON "CLEANED STEEL"

Class of Contaminant Contaminant Suggested Test Existing Standard

Soluble in Water Moisture Cobalt chloride test paper None

BSI 5493, Appendix G(B)

Potassium ferricyanide
Soluble iron salts SABS Method 770 (C)
test
DIN 55928 Part 4(D)

Silver nitrate test paper SABS Method 770

Soluble chlorides Aquaquant test kit None
Ion selective electrodes None

Barium chloride/potassium
Soluble sulfates SABS Method 770
permanganate test paper

Fettrot test DIN 55928 Part 4

Soluble in Organic Grease, oil, and waxy Fluorescence DIN 55928 Part 4
Solvents residues Water break test None
Solvent spotting test None

Copper sulfate test SABS Method 771(E)

Insoluble or of Low Etch with 15% HNO3 None
Mill scale None
Solubility Differential resistance
probe
Mill scale rust and dust The “surclean” test BS5493 Appendix F

Reflectometer SABS Method 768(F)

Loose rust and dust
Tape Method SABS Method 771

Weld fluxes pH test paper None

(A)
Source: A.N. McKelvie, “Can Coatings Successfully Protect Steel, What Are the Ingredients of Success?” Materials Performance 19, 5
(1980): p. 13.
(B)
BS5493 (latest revision), “Code of Practice for Protective Coating of Iron and Steel Structures Against Corrosion,” (Milton Keynes, United
Kingdom: British Standards Institution).(6)
(C)
SABS Method 770 (latest revision, now SANS 5770), (Pretoria, South Africa: South African Bureau of Standards)(7)
(D)
DIN 55928, Parts 1-8 (latest revision), “Protection of Steel Constructions from Corrosion by Organic and Metal Coatings” (Berlin, Germany:
Deutsches Institut fur Normung).(8)
(E)
SABS Method 771 (latest revision, now SANS 5771), (Pretoria, South Africa: South African Bureau of Standards).
(F)
SABS Method 768 (latest revision, now SANS 5768), (Pretoria, South Africa: South African Bureau of Standards).

(6)
British Standards Institution (BSI), Linford Wood, Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes MK146LE, United Kingdom.
(7)
South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), 1 Dr. Lategan Rd., Private Bag X191 Groenkloof, Pretoria, South Africa 00001, Republic of
South Africa.
(8)
Deutsches Institut fur Normung (DIN), Burggrafenstrasse 4-10, 1000 Berlin 30, Germany.



Some owners of rail tank cars (e.g., cars used to transport
sulfuric acid) have the cars first neutralized with a 10% caustic
solution then subjected to high heat (232°C [450°F]) to thermally
degrade organic contaminants. Chloride and sulfate contami-
nants are removed by high-pressure water jetting followed by
abrasive blasting.12
Steam cleaning helps remove chlorides and sulfates.
Frondistou-Yannas concludes that, “In terms of effectiveness
in removing chlorides and sulfates from a rusted steel surface,
the methods of surface preparation rank as follows: (1) Water
blasting; (2) steam, detergent, and wire-brushing; (3) solvent
cleaning and wire-brushing; and (4) single wire-brushing.”13
Testing for Surface Contaminants
Table 1 lists candidate physical or chemical tests for the
presence of contaminants that still may be present on cleaned
steel. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)(5)
has drafted documents that, if approved, may replace the
cited standards. Although no U.S. standards exist for physical
and chemical testing, NACE Publication 6G186, “Surface
Preparation of Contaminated Steel Surfaces,”14 gives addi-
tional information on currently available field tests for detecting
contaminants.
References
1. NACE Standard RP0191 (latest revision), “The Ap-
plication of Internal Plastic Coatings for Oilfield Tu-
bular Goods and Accessories” (Houston, TX: NACE
International).
2. K.A. Trimber, “Detection and Removal of Chemical
Contaminants in Pulp and Paper Mills,” Journal of
Protective Coatings and Linings 5, 11 (1988): pp. 30-
37.
3. SSPC-SP 1 (latest revision), “Solvent Cleaning”
(Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).
4. NACE No. 4/SSPC-SP 7 (latest revision), “Brush-Off
Blast Cleaning” (Houston, TX: NACE International
and Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).
5. NACE Standard RP0172 (latest revision), “Surface
Preparation of Steel and Other Hard Material by Water
Blasting Prior to Coating or Recoating” (Houston, TX:
NACE International).
6. SSPC-SP 2 (latest revision), “Hand Tool Cleaning”
(Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).
7. SSPC-SP 3 (latest revision), “Power Tool Cleaning”
(Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).
8. NACE Standard RP0181 (latest revision), “Liquid
Applied Internal Protective Linings and Coatings for
Oilfield Production Equipment’’ (Houston, TX: NACE
International, 1981).
(5)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 1 rue de Varembe, Case Postale 56, CH 1121 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

SSPC -TR 1/NACE 6G194
October 1, 1994
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
9. “ ‘News from the Field,’ Tenneco Gas Deals with
Chloride-Contaminated Pipe,” Journal of Protective
Coatings and Linings 6, 2 (1989): p. 34.
10. M.A. Kazemi, B.T. Nosé, “Fusion-Bonded Epoxy Pipe
Coating: Preparation and Application Make a Big Dif-
ference,” Journal of Protective Coatings and Linings
9, 5 (1992): pp. 52-56.
11. G.V. Spires, “Epoxy Linings for Stainless Steel and
a Circulating Water System,” Journal of Protective
Coatings and Linings 5, 12 (1988): p. 38-45.
12. K.W. Ferry, “Cleaning Lined Tank Cars and Unlined
Tank Cars for Lining Application,” Materials Perfor-
mance 30, 5 (1991): p. 37.
13. S. Frondistou-Yannas, “Effectiveness of Nonabrasive
Cleaning Methods for Steel Surfaces,” Materials Per-
formance 25, 7 (1986): p. 53.
14. NACE Publication 6G186 (latest revision), “Surface
Preparation of Contaminated Steel Surfaces” (Hous-
ton, TX: NACE International).
Bibliography
Appleman, B.R. “Painting over Soluble Salts: A Perspec-
tive.” Journal of Protective Coatings and Linings 4,
6 (1987): pp. 68-82.
Calabrese, C., J.R. Allen. “Surface Characterization of
Atmospherically Corroded and Blast Cleaned Steel.”
Corrosion 34, 10 (1978): pp. 331-338.
Frenzel, L.M., J. Nixon. “Surface Preparation Using High-
Pressure Water Blasting.” CORROSION/89, paper
no. 397. Houston, TX: NACE International, 1987.
Johnson, W.C. “New Concepts for Coating Protection of
Steel Structures.” ASTM Special Publication 841.
Philadelphia, PA: American Society for Testing and
Materials, 1984.
McKelvie, A.N. “Can Coatings Successfully Protect Steel,
What Are the Ingredients of Success?” Materials
Performance 19, 5 (1980): p. 13.
McKelvie, A.N. “Steel Cleaning Standards-A Case for their
Reappraisal.” Journal of the Oil and Colour Chemists’
Association 60 (1977): pp. 227-237.
Munger, C.G. “Sulfides-Their Affect on Coatings and
Substrates.” CORROSION/77, paper no. 1 (Houston,
TX: NACE International, 1977).
Munger, C.G. “The Coating of Contaminated Ferrous
Surfaces.” NACE International Coatings Symposia
Regional Meeting, Niagara, New York (Houston, TX:
NACE International, 1979).
NACE Publication 6G186 (latest revision). “Surface Prepa-
ration of Contaminated Steel Surfaces.” Houston,
TX: NACE International.
SSPC-TR 1/NACE 6G194
October 1, 1994
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

NACE Standard TM0170 (latest revision). “Visual Standard Trimber, K.A. “Detection and Removal of Chemical Con-
for Surfaces of New Steel Airblast Cleaned with Sand taminants in Pulp and Paper Mills.” Journal of Protec-
Abrasive.” Houston, TX: NACE International. tive Coatings and Linings 5, 11 (1988): pp. 30-37.
Rex, J. “A Review of Recent Developments in Surface Weldon, D.G., A. Bochan, M. Schleiden. “The Effect of
Preparation Methods.” Journal of Protective Coatings Oil, Grease, and Salts on Coating Performance.”
and Linings 7, 10 (1990): pp. 50-58. Journal of Protective Coatings and Linings 4, 6
Systems and Specifications: Steel Structures Painting (1987): pp. 46-58.
Manual, Sixth Edition. Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC, 1991.
Trimber, K.A. “An Investigation into the Removal of Soluble
Salts Using Power Tools and Steam Cleaning.”
SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings Seventh
Annual Symposium, paper SY-3.1. Pittsburgh, PA:
SSPC, 1988.