Choosing Offshore Painting Solutions for Corrosion Management
Selecting a protective coating system for an offshore structure is a decision which should never be taken lightly. Yet, it’s still incredibly common for any coating with an ISO 12944-9 or NORSOK M-501 stamp of approval to be treated as just as good as any other coating that passed the test. The reality is that those standards merely set the bar– and frankly, that bar is set below sea level.
Offshore coating specification may be important, but there’s more to look for when choosing a protective coating for long-term corrosion management. Systems that meet standards like ISO 12944-9 and NORSOK M501 often fail after just a few years in real world applications. In today’s article we’ll dissect the true meaning of coating specifications, discuss why it’s important to look beyond the standards, and offer some tips to help you make a suitable choice to protect your offshore structure.
What Does Coating Specification Really Mean?
Let’s start by taking a look at the significance of offshore painting specifications. To put it simply, standards like ISO 12944-9 and NORSOK M-501 detail a series of test methods and pass/fail criteria that are meant to gauge an offshore coating’s performance. On paper, this sounds like the scientific method at work, so what could be the harm?
This issue lies in the fact that those test methods do not closely mirror the conditions that coatings have to contend with in real world applications. These methods involve damaging the coating down to the metal surface as a starting point- which on an offshore platform would indicate a worst-case scenario. Combine this performance handicap with other factors like an accelerated timeline and a mere ‘simulation’ of offshore conditions, and you’ve got a testing methodology that doesn’t tell you much.
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Looking Beyond The Standards
Now this is not to say that testing to ISO or NORSOK standards is entirely meaningless- it just doesn’t give the full picture of how a coating will perform offshore. That’s why it is so important to look beyond standard certification, and get down to the real metrics that factor into a coating’s long-term performance.
Formulation
You can tell a lot about a coating by evaluating its contents. For instance, an epoxy coating likely has good adhesion properties, while a urethane coating may indicate a level of UV resistance. Look for ingredients that speak to the properties that the coating claims, not just in name but in concentration. If the formula contains uncommon key ingredients or emerging technologies, like our carbon nanotubes for example, do your homework to determine if early adoption is a route worth taking.
It’s worth noting that many coatings will slightly adjust their formulation every few years to adhere to the latest quality standards. Take a look at the previous iteration versus the current iteration and compare the two. Do the changes made hold any tangible performance benefits? Or was the formula just updated to better meet a certain standard?
Intended Use
Although coatings may brand themselves as being meant for ‘offshore’ applications, many options are not intended to be used in the splash zone. While there is a need for protective coatings in submersion and above-water settings, much of a platform’s surface area will fall within the splash zone- an area subject to shifting periods of exposure to water or air. Noting the intended use case for a given system is important to selecting the right option to maximize its life cycle along with your ROI.
Find out more about how our TESLAN coatings perform at the splash zone level in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the harshest offshore environments across the globe.
Application
As discussed in a previous article, minimizing the amount of time spent on the offshore painting process can help significantly increase productivity. Consider the application requirements of a system. While weighing out your options, be sure to ask (and answer) questions like:
- Do you need any special tools?
- What are the surface prep requirements?
- Is a stripe coat required?
- How many coats does it take to complete?
- How much dry time is needed between coats?
- What will overall inter-coat washing and blowdown time look like?
Understanding what goes into an offshore painting process will help you choose an option which meets your project’s budgetary constraints for both coating costs and labor costs.
Life Cycle
Beyond specification, it’s important to also choose a coating that has a proven track record for longevity. The best way to know how a coating will perform is to look at any available data. Of course every coating manufacturer will want you to think that their offering beats out the rest, but is there any concrete evidence to back up their boasting? Find out what the average life cycle for a system looks like. Chances are, it is likely shorter than what is advertised. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for things like maintenance requirements or common fabric repair timelines along with the overall life cycle.
Reputation
Be wary of marketing claims, and don’t shy away from asking questions. Review any case studies which feature the coating of interest. Find out what contractors, operators, and owners who have worked with the system before have to say about it. Has it been featured in any trusted publications? An industry-wide reputation is something that is built on consumer trust, so if a certain offshore painting system is more widely preferred over others it is probably for a good reason.
With formulation, intended use, application requirements, life cycle, and reputation all in mind, you can arm yourself with a wealth of knowledge to help you select your next coating. While you’re at it, be sure to take the time to find out more about TESLAN. Our team can fill you in on all the details.
