PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-11-0057
Project Name:	Evaluation and Removal of Surface Contaminants from Steel Prior to Coating
Status:	Completed
Contact:	Last Name: Ocel First Name: Justin Telephone: 202-493-3080 E-mail: justin.ocel@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Bridge and Foundation Engineering Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Infrastructure Research and Technology Strategic Plan and Roadmap
Project Description:	Well-performing bridge coating systems are founded upon proper preparation prior to coating. Most coating systems require a near white metal blast-cleaned finish prior to the primer coat. However, there is a possibility for surface contamination from either not being removed during the blast cleaning operation or contaminated blast media causing contamination. This project aims to understand what an acceptable level of contamination is prior to coating, identify what cleaning methods are required to achieve the acceptable level, and identify what means are necessary to measure the surface contaminant concentrations.
Laboratories:	Coatings and Corrosion Laboratory
Start Date:	August 1, 2011
End Date:	November 18, 2012
Funding Amount:	$331,000.00
FHWA Program Name:	High-Performing Steel Bridge
Goals:	The key project objectives are: (1) To identify effective means of measuring chloride, nitrate, and sulfate contamination on the surface of uncoated steel. (2) Identify proper techniques for cleaning uncoated steel to a target level of contamination. (3) Determine what levels of contamination are detrimental to bridge coating performance.
Project Type:	Onsite
Background Information:	In 1991, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) conducted a similar study summarized in a report entitled, "Effect of Surface Contaminants on Coating Life." However, the coatings industry has changed after 20 years and now there are newer field portable test kits to for the evaluation of surface contaminants, as well as new coating systems. The 1991 study also identified that acceptable levels of contamination ranged from 20-50 micrograms per centimeter squared. This number is highly criticized for being too large as other industries limit surface contaminants to less than five micrograms per centimeter squared. Therefore, there is a need to reevaluate the acceptable levels of surface contamination and integrate the newest technologies for evaluating and achieving it.
Test Methodology:	laboratory evaluation
Other Information:	Data not yet available
Partners:	Data not yet available
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	The expected benefit is bridge coating performance that is more reliable and has a longer life cycle.
Deliverables:	Name: Final report. Product Type(s): Research report, Techbrief Description: The deliverable is a final report written by the onsite contract researcher documenting the research methodology, findings, and conclusions. Audiences: Academics, Bridge owners, Local bridge owners, State departments of transportation, State highway agencies Secondary Audiences:
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Roads and Bridges--Structures Research/Technologies--Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
TRT Terms:	Infrastructure Bridges Coatings Research Corrosion Abrasives
FHWA Disciplines:	Structures
Subject Areas:	Bridges and other structures Research