New systems in quality management: statistics and documentation of coating thickness measurements

Modular measurement systems for the determination of coating thickness have clear advantages in the efficiency and the quality management of major projects.
Using modularly attachable probes, such a measuring system is easily adapted to any given measurement task. Furthermore, the availability of each separate module increases, as the measuring probes are interchangeable between gauges.
In addition to simple measurement gauges without statistics function for lacquer and anti-corrosion coating workers, gauges providing such an additional statistical function are necessary for inspections and acceptance tests of ships, bridges and large steel constructions, as several thousand measurements have to be recorded during such tests.
Fast and systematic recording of such measurements of each separate layer of the usually applied multi-layer systems depending on location and time is crucial as it offers an effective operation and thus high cost-effectiveness of the quality management.
The radio transmission of measurements, for instance to a PC, for statistical analysis and documentation with Microsoft Excel offers a fast and convenient operation without the gauge’s plugs dirtying during the rough everyday working conditions thus avoiding related problems. Using the convenient and versatile spreadsheet program, measurement data can be structured, evaluated, printed or sent to project partners via Internet.

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Small radio-controlled probes offer more safety in the anti-corrosion protection management.

For the professional completion of high quality work in anti-corrosion protection and the management of complex projects – such as ship and bridge building or large steel constructions – precise, rugged and at the same time easy-to-use measurement gauges are necessary. Gauges and systems for determination of coating thickness are used in various spots. Despite varying measurement conditions, e.g. different types of steel used in bridge and shipbuilding, workers must be able to rely on the accuracy and precision of measurement results.
Therefore measurement methods have been established in accordance to ISO 2808, allowing coating thickness to be determined non-destructively in wet state using measuring-combs as well as in dry state using magnetic measuring methods.
Difficult to access measuring spots provide recesses of humidity. During final and safety inspections particular attention is paid to such often curial areas as there the danger of too thin a coating being applied is elevated due to steaming conditions, leading to an increased risk of corrosion. In such difficult to access spots that are crucial to safety only measuring devices providing lowest installation height as well as ease and safety-of-use can be operated. The thump-sized independent radio-controlled probe Q-Nix® 8500 sat offers particular advantages under such conditions. Safely and accurately measuring even in such spots almost completely free to move and unhindered, and transmitting the data via radio over a distance.

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International standards for anti-corrosion protection in shipbuilding

Shipping companies and shipyards worldwide collaborate with steel and lacquer manufacturers, specialised service providers and engineering offices in order to optimise safety, cost-efficiency and quality of operating, building and overhauling boats and ships. The inspection of constructions as well as monitoring of coating work in building and renovating ships are subject to international standards, as the classification societies organised under the umbrella organisation IACS (International Association of Classification Society LTD) and the IMO-member states (International Maritime Organization) agreed upon harmonised standards.
As „Corrosion never sleeps“, every single area of a ship has to be coated accurately according to the particular conditions to which that area is exposed. Thus, the hull below waterline and the ballast tanks are best protected by cathodic anti-corrosion protection in combination with coating systems. The interior and on deck of a ship only epoxy based coating systems guarantee reliable anti-corrosion protection. Special anti-fouling coatings reduce fouling on the ships hull below waterline resulting in reduced head resistance and increased cost efficiency of the ship.
To ensure professional coating of the different types of a multi-layer protection system and complete documentation, a standardised coating work procedure is necessary following the ISO 12944 standard, nowadays based mainly on the originally Norwegian FROSIO, the British ICORR and the US NACE certificates.

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