AMPP CAS-2 study guide
AMPP CAS-2 · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The AMPP Coating Application Specialist (CAS) credential is issued by AMPP, The Association for Materials Protection and Performance, which describes itself as the largest global community for corrosion and coatings expertise and lists coating inspection and protective coatings among the areas its courses and certifications cover. CAS is aimed at the craft-level workforce that actually applies protective coatings in the field and shop - applicators and crews working on steel structures, tanks, pipelines, marine assets, and industrial facilities - and at the supervisors who direct them. The AMPP CAS-2 study guide has 4 sections and about 1,414 words.
01Coating Application
Coating application is where theory meets practice: the inspector must verify that the specified coating is applied under the correct conditions, with the proper equipment, and to the required thickness. Key concepts include environmental conditions (ambient temperature, relative humidity, dew point, and steel temperature), application methods (brush, roller, plural-component spray, conventional air spray, airless, and electrostatic), and the importance of stripe coats for edges, welds, and back-to-back angles.
374 words, about 2 min02Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is the foundation of coating performance; inadequate preparation is a leading cause of premature coating failure. The candidate must understand abrasive blast cleaning standards (e.g., SSPC-SP 5/NACE No.
361 words, about 2 min03Coating Inspection and Quality Control
Inspection and QC ensure that the coating system meets the specification and will perform as intended. Key concepts include measurement of dry film thickness (DFT) using magnetic gauges (for steel) or eddy current (for non-ferrous), holiday detection (low and high voltage), adhesion testing (pull-off, cross-cut), and environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, dew point).
380 words, about 2 min04Safety and Environmental Compliance
Safety and environmental compliance are critical in coating operations due to hazards such as exposure to hazardous chemicals, abrasive blasting dust, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Key concepts include personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilation, confined space entry, and regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA, EPA).
299 words, about 1 min