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Why coatings fail

Peeling, mud-cracking, holidays and blisters after blasting. Cause, tool to prove it, BLAST APEX gauge kit.

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Defect to tool

DefectUsual causeProve with
Peeling / flakingWeak profile or saltsProfile gauge, salt kit
Mud crackingExcess WFT / DFTDFT gauge
Holidays / pinholesThin film or spray techniqueHoliday detector
BlisteringOsmotic saltsChloride / Bresle kit

Peeling after a “good” blast is usually salts, a profile outside the data sheet, or paint applied with steel at or below dew point. The tin is the last thing to blame. Measure: Bresle or kit for chlorides, profile gauge for anchor, DFT gauge for thickness, holiday detector for pinholes in linings.

Worked path: tank lining blistered at six months. Blast had been Sa 2.5 to the eye. Salt test on a remaining uncoated patch was high. Re-blast, wash as the spec allows, prove salts, then re-line. BLAST APEX sells the gauges and will run the same checks on a contract. NACE / SSPC / ISO here means methods on the job, not a company certificate on the door.

Engineer FAQs

Paint peeled after a “good” blast. Who is at fault?

Usually salts, wrong profile, or coating below dew point, not the paint tin. Measure. BLAST APEX inspects to SSPC / ISO methods on contract and sells the same gauges.