Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-071
16 July 2011
Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)
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

Method of Packaging..................................... 6

Previous Issue: 8 August 2007 Next Planned Update: 16 July 2016

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin
Primary contact: Nujaim, Salah Ahmed on 966-3-8760258
CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2006. All rights reserved.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 16 July 2011
Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 16 July 2016
Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

Scope
This Specification defines the minimum mandatory requirements for qualifying
individual coating products for use in Saudi Aramco's approved protective coating
systems APCS-17A and APCS-17B for inorganic zinc coatings. It 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 products, who wish 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 to, 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 shall be used for periodic product 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-071
Issue Date: 16 July 2011
Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 16 July 2016
Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

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

On the date of the Purchase Order.

b)

On the date 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-17A Inorganic Zinc Primer (Solvent Based)
SAES-H-101 APCS-17B Inorganic Zinc Primer (Water Based)
3.2

Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials
ASTM A36

Structural Steel

ASTM B117

Salt Spray (Fog) Testing

ASTM-D520

Zinc Dust Pigments

ASTM D-521

Methods for Chemical Analysis of Zinc Dust

ASTM D-562

Consistency of Paints Measuring Krebs Unit (KU)

Viscosity Using a Stormer-Type Viscometer
(Metallic Zinc Powder)

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 D822

Operating Light-and-water Exposure Apparatus

(Carbon-arc Type) for Testing Paint, Varnish,
Lacquer, and Related Products

ASTM D714

Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 16 July 2011
Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 16 July 2016
Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

ASTM D1654

Method for Evaluation of Painted or Coated

Specimens Subjected to Corrosive
Environments

ASTM D3363

Film Hardness by Pencil Test

ASTM G26

Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus (Xenon-Arc

Type) With and Without Water for Exposure of
Nonmetallic Materials

The Society for Protective Coatings

SSPC-PA2

Measurement of Dry Coating Thickness with

Magnetic Gages

SSPC-Paint 20

Zinc-Rich Primers (Type I, Inorganic) dated

November 1, 1982

SSPC-Vis 1

Visual Standard for Abrasive Blast Cleaned Steel

International Standard Organization (ISO)

ISO 12944

Paints & Varinches, Corrosion Protection of Steel

Structure by Protective Paint System

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. The coating quality assurance of
zinc-rich coatings Type I shall follow the requirement in SSPC-20. This test
report shall be submitted to the Saudi Aramco RSA for review and approval 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

Modification to SSPC-Paint 20
All paint supplied under this Specification shall meet the requirements of
SSPC-Paint 20 except as modified below:
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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 16 July 2011
Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 16 July 2016
Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

Paragraph 5.6: Shall be replaced by paragraph 5.2.2.1 of this Specification.

Paragraph 5.9: Shall be replaced by paragraph 5.2.3 of this Specification.
Paragraphs 7, 9 and 10.8: Delete requirements.
5.2

Requirements in Addition to SSPC - Paint 20

5.2.1

Physical Property Tests

Hardness: When cured for 24 hours at 20C and 50-60% relative
humidity, the cured film shall have a hardness equivalent of not less than
2H when tested in accordance with ASTM D3363.

5.2.2

5.2.3

Steel Panel Preparation

5.2.2.1

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.

5.2.2.2

The surface cleanliness of the test panels shall meet (but not
exceed) the requirements of SSPC SP10, Near White Blast
Cleaning (SIS Sa2-, Very Thorough Blast Cleaning).

5.2.2.3

The profile of blasted surface shall be 40-65 micrometers

(1.5 - 2.5 mils) and shall be determined with replica tape.

5.2.2.4

Mix, apply, and cure, the in accordance with the Vendor's

recommendations. Measure and report the dry film thickness
in accordance with SSPC-PA2. The dry film thickness shall be
in the range of 65-100 micrometers (2.5 - 4 mils).

Performance Tests
Scribe the fully cured coating in accordance with ASTM D1654 and
expose alternately in a Weather-O-Meter in accordance with either
(a) ASTM D822, Procedure B; (b) ASTM G26, Method B; or
(c) ASTM G-53 and a salt fog cabinet in accordance with ASTM B117.
Panels are to be initially placed in the Weather-O-Meter for 100 hours
and then tested in the salt fog cabinet for 200 hours. This procedure
shall be continued until the test panels are exposed for 500 hours in
Weather-O-Meter and 1000 hours in salt fog. At the conclusion of the
test, each coating shall be evaluated for and shall meet the criteria of
Table 1.
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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-071
Issue Date: 16 July 2011
Qualification Requirements for Inorganic
Next Planned Update: 16 July 2016
Zinc Primer (APCS-17A) and (APCS-17B)

Table 1 Performance Test

Standard

5.2.4

Acceptable Rating

ASTM D714

Evaluating Degree of Blistering

of Paints

No blisters

ASTM D660

Evaluating Degree of Checking

of Exterior Paints

No checking

ASTM D661

Evaluating Degree of Cracking

of Exterior Paints

No cracking

ASTM D610

Evaluating Degree of Rusting

on Painted Steel Surfaces

10

ASTM D1654

Standard Evaluation of Painted

Rating of Failure at
or Coated Specimens Subjected
Scribe shall be: 10.
to Corrosive Environments

Recoat Time
Prepare two test panels in accordance with paragraph 5.2.2. Cure the
panels for 48 hours at 55 to 80% relative humidity and 25C 1C.
Topcoat one of the panels with 100-150 micrometers (4.0 - 6.0 mils) of
an epoxy paint (APCS-1A topcoat or equivalent). Topcoat the other
panel with 15 - 40 micrometers (0.5 - 1.5 mils) of a silicone aluminum
paint (APCS-11A topcoat or equivalent). Allow the topcoats to cure.
The panels shall show no signs of blistering or pinholing.

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

16 July 2011

Revision Summary
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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