CSWIP-BGAS

Grade-II
Painting Inspector Course
ONLINE PREPARATORY CLASS
August 2021
 CHAPTER 3
SURFACE CONTAMINANTS & TEST FOR DETECTION

• Any contaminants left on a prepared substrate will affect the

adhesion of a coating to that substrate.
• certain tests are done to ensure that contamination is within set
criteria.
• Some tests are qualitative and some are quantitative
 CHAPTER 3
SURFACE CONTAMINANTS & TEST FOR DETECTION

1. TEST FOR SOLUBLE IRON SALTS

-This is a qualitative test, it will not even differentiate between the salts. It
will detect the presence of either Sulphates or Chlorides
-Also known as the Potassium Ferricyanide test & Potassium Hexa-
cyanoferrate test
-Whatman No3 laboratory filter papers are soaked in a 5 – 10% solution of
potassium ferricyanide and distilled water, and left to dry
-The result is a lime green paper, fringed with an orange brim
- The area of blast to be tested is sprayed with distilled water. Any salt
present will dissolve in this salt
- A potassium ferricyanide test paper is then applied to the area.
- blue spots on a lime green background shows presence of salt (due to
formation of potassium ferrocyanide)
 CHAPTER 3
SURFACE CONTAMINANTS & TEST FOR DETECTION

2. TEST FOR SOLUBLE CHLORIDES

-This is a qualitative test, it will show only presence of chlorides.
-Also known as the silver nitrate test
-Whatman No3 laboratory filter papers are soaked in a silver nitrate
solution with 2% distilled water
-The soaked paper is presses on to the area under test for about 20 seconds
and washed with distilled water
- The reaction of silver nitrate with chlorides will produce silver chloride,
which remains on the paper after washing
- the strip is then dipped into photographic developer the chlorides show up
as black/brown.
 CHAPTER 3
SURFACE CONTAMINANTS & TEST FOR DETECTION

3. QUANTITATIVE TEST
- Merkoquant test
-Bresle Sample patch
4. TEST FOR MILL SCALE
- The test needs to be carried out only if SA3 preparation required
- Blasted steel is dark grey in color and mill scale is dark blue, so by
naked eye the contrast is difficult
- surface is sprayed with a fine mist of slightly acidic copper
sulphate solution, the solution ionises and tints the steel
- Steel gets copper color and blackens the millscale
 CHAPTER 3
SURFACE CONTAMINANTS & TEST FOR DETECTION

5. TEST TO DETECT PRESENCE OF DUST

- If a piece of self adhesive tape is stuck onto the surface and
snatched off, the dust/finings sticks to the tape.
6. TEST TO DETECT PRESENCE OF MOISTURE
- A very simple test for the presence of moisture is to sprinkle with
talc, or powdered chalk, and then lightly blow away. The powder
will stick to areas where moisture is.
7. TEST TO DETECT PRESENCE OF OIL.GREASE
- oil & grease will glow under UV light. Removed by washing with
xylene