A Coating Evaluation Testing Program★

Abstract

Abstract A program to test and evaluate external pipeline coatings is described. When this program was started ten years ago, many methods and procedures then in use did not give all of the information desired. Field burial tests are lengthly and because of the variable conditions which govern results can neither be controlled nor evaluated with any precision. Only laboratory type tests are suitable for a closely controlled system of coating evaluation. Laboratory results must be correlated with field service performance. This test program was in three phases: First, laboratory procedures and apparatus were developed. Second, commonly used coatings were tested ana laboratory results correlated with field performance data. Third, new materials were tested and their performance compared with coatings in common use. Laboratory and field test procedures and apparatus are described. A discussion on the application of test data to selection of pipeline coatings is included. 2.1.2