AMPP CCI-2 key terms

The microscopic roughness pattern created on a substrate by abrasive blasting or other surface preparation, measured as the average peak-to-valley height and needed for mechanical adhesion of the coating.

All operations performed to clean a substrate and create the condition required before coating, including removal of contaminants, rust, mill scale, and old coatings and creation of a suitable profile.

A surface preparation method in which grit, shot, or other particles are propelled at high velocity against a surface to remove rust, scale, and coatings and to impart an anchor profile.

A joint abrasive blast cleaning standard requiring removal of nearly all rust, mill scale, and foreign matter, leaving only very light staining on no more than five percent of the surface area.

The white metal blast cleaning standard requiring removal of all visible rust, mill scale, coatings, and foreign matter, leaving a uniform gray-white surface with no staining.

A preparation method using solvents, detergents, or steam to remove oil, grease, dirt, and similar contaminants before mechanical cleaning, so blasting does not drive grease into the surface.

Ionic contamination such as chlorides or sulfates left on a prepared surface, which can draw moisture through a coating and promote blistering or premature undercutting corrosion if not removed and verified.

The temperature at which moisture in the air begins to condense on a surface; coating work is generally prohibited when the substrate is less than three degrees Celsius above the dew point.

The amount of water vapor present in air expressed as a percentage of the maximum the air could hold at that temperature, affecting cure, solvent release, and the risk of condensation.

The surrounding environmental measurements, including air and surface temperature, relative humidity, and dew point, recorded before, during, and after coating application to verify specification compliance.

The thickness of a coating measured immediately after application while still wet, checked with a comb gauge and used to estimate the resulting dry film thickness.

The thickness of the cured coating film, measured with magnetic or eddy current gauges and compared against the specified minimum and maximum to confirm adequate protection.

The percentage of a coating's liquid volume that remains as dry film after the solvents evaporate, used to calculate the wet film thickness needed to achieve a target dry film thickness.

A small discontinuity, pinhole, or thin spot in a coating film that exposes or nearly exposes the substrate and is detected with high-voltage or low-voltage spark testing.

A tiny hole through a coating film, often caused by solvent escape, air entrapment, or application defects, that creates a pathway for moisture to reach the substrate.

The specified minimum and maximum time allowed between applying one coat and the next, balancing solvent release and adhesion so the coats bond properly.

The chemical or physical process by which a coating develops its final properties, such as hardness, adhesion, and chemical resistance, after application.

A rough, non-adherent condition caused by coating particles partially drying before reaching the surface, often from excessive distance, high heat, or strong wind during spray application.

A thermosetting coating based on epoxy resin and a curing agent, offering good adhesion and chemical resistance but typically chalking when exposed to sunlight.

A coating based on polyurethane resin, often used as a topcoat because it resists chalking and retains gloss and color better than epoxy under ultraviolet exposure.

A primer containing a high percentage of zinc dust that protects steel galvanically, sacrificing the zinc to prevent corrosion of the underlying substrate.

The first coat applied to a prepared substrate, formulated to promote adhesion and provide corrosion protection before intermediate and finish coats are applied.

The final coat of a coating system, selected for appearance, color, gloss, and resistance to the service environment, applied over primer and intermediate coats.

A document that defines the required surface preparation, coating products, film thicknesses, environmental limits, and inspection requirements for a project.

The conditions to which a coated structure is exposed in use, such as atmospheric corrosivity category, immersion, chemicals, temperature, and abrasion, used to select an appropriate coating system.

The combination of surface preparation and one or more coats, such as primer, intermediate, and topcoat, selected together to provide the required protection and appearance.

A document that identifies the inspection points, hold points, test methods, acceptance criteria, and frequency of checks to be performed during a coating project.

A stage in the work where the inspector must verify and document compliance before the contractor may proceed to the next step.

A designated step in the work that the inspector may observe, but which does not require formal approval before the contractor continues.

A formal record documenting work that does not meet specification requirements, including the description, location, and required corrective action.

A record completed each working day that documents weather, surface preparation, application activities, test results, and any deviations observed on the project.

The process of verifying and adjusting an inspection instrument, such as a thickness gauge or hygrometer, against a known reference to ensure accurate readings.

The bond between a coating and the substrate or between successive coats, essential to performance and evaluated by tests such as pull-off or cross-cut methods.

The application of a subsequent coat over a previously applied coat after the required overcoating interval has been met.

The professional principles requiring inspectors to report findings honestly, avoid conflicts of interest, and act impartially when verifying work against the specification.