Inspection Devices - New Technologies

Parallel to rapid 21st-century developments in digital technologies, the following notable innovations have begun to appear in paints and coatings inspection equipment:

Interchangeable Measurement Probes

Some companies operating in this field, particularly in Europe and the USA, offer different probes for both different substrates (e.g., aluminium, stainless steel, galvanized or carbon steel surfaces) and different paint/coating types (soft and hard paints/coatings, anodized coatings, etc.).

Figure 1: Paint thickness measurement device and interchangeable probes for different conditions

Another notable development is the introduction to the market of technology that enables different characteristics of paint/coating and the substrates applied to them to be measured in a single device simply by changing the probe. For example, paint/coating film thickness, metal surface roughness, environmental conditions such as temperature/humidity/dew point/wind speed, salt contamination on the surface, concrete moisture, material hardness and material thickness are included.  

Figure 2: Single inspection main body and plug-and-play interchangeable probes for different inspection tests

Wireless Data Transfer: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Cloud Computing

Parallel to wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMax, Bluetooth and cloud computing in electronic devices, paint and coatings inspection equipment manufacturers have begun integrating these technologies into their devices.

Non-contact Paint/Coating Film Thickness Measurement

In recent years, one of the most practical technological advances in measurement devices in the paints and coatings industry is equipment that can measure paint/coating film thickness on material remotely at a certain distance without touching the painted/coated surface. While the working principles of these devices may differ from one another, they generally gather around three main technologies: 1. Laser optical technology, 2. Thermal optical technology, 3. Ultrasonic sound technology.

Figure 3: Non-contact paint/coating thickness measurement devices and measurement principles

Digital Paperless Reporting: Digitizing Reports

One of the most important technological advances that can increase the efficiency of inspection processes is the technology of transferring traditional paper reporting to digital environments via digital inspection/measurement devices. This can be briefly termed digitalization.

Figure 4: Electronic devices and cloud computing enable paperless reporting in inspections.

In this technology, a central computer program communicates digitally with inspection devices operating on a principle similar to those mentioned in the non-contact paint/coating film thickness measurement section, measuring values such as adhesion, temperature, humidity, surface roughness, hardness, gloss and colour, and transfers all inspection data to digital storage centres on a network (cloud computing). Thus, inspection data will be collected faster in less time, and when needed, this data can be quickly researched by relevant personnel and necessary information found. If a barcode scanner is integrated into this system, information such as the surface preparation used, the trade names of paint and coating materials, production year and lot number can be quickly collected during application and added to reports for later review.

Laboratory Test Equipment - New Technologies

The most important development in this field is undoubtedly the shift from devices and methods that perform corrosion/ageing tests under static conditions, such as ASTM B117 salt fog corrosion testing, to cyclic corrosion/ageing laboratory test devices and related new test methods that operate under dynamic conditions, better reflect real life, provide better correlation values and are more reliable. More detailed information on this subject can be found in the references section at the end of this article.¹

Figure 5: In accelerated testing, cyclic laboratory test devices in particular provide more reliable and realistic results.

Along with these tests, high-technology devices such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and related test methods continue to be developed to help us better understand the structure of paint and coating chemicals.

Occupational Health, Safety and Environment

The paints and coatings industry is shifting from solvent-based technology to solvent-free or water-based paints and coatings. Here, we will discuss paint/coating technologies with unexpected properties that have entered or will soon enter our lives:

Solvent-free, Low-VOC Paints/Coatings

Due to VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) regulations published in US and EU countries such as the "Solvent Emissions Directive (SED)" or "California Air Resources Board (CARB)" and accepted worldwide, paints and coatings to be produced/used must now have significantly lower solvent content (which can be as low as 100 g/L). This VOC reduction effort can be achieved both by using new technology raw materials in old-type paint/coating materials such as epoxy and polyurethane, as well as through new hybrid or biofunctional paint/coating materials mentioned above.

Odour-Eliminating Paints/Coatings

Thanks to odour-eliminating paint technology, organic-origin odours can be controlled as follows: When odour molecules in the air contact a painted surface, a compound inside the paint that combats odour is released and, thanks to the drying paint, the odour is neutralized. The odour-elimination effect here naturally depends on the amount of this compound, the intensity of exposure and the area size of the surface to be painted.

Antimicrobial Paints

Antimicrobial or microbiocidal paints are a new paint/coating technology that can be used to kill certain microbes and bacteria. This can be done through chemicals belonging to the general group of "Quaternary Ammonium Compounds", as these chemicals are used as disinfectants in the healthcare sector. These types of paints can be used in hygiene-sensitive locations such as hospitals and nursing homes.

Vocational Training New Technologies

Developments in this field can be classified as professional competencies and certification, remote electronic training technology and innovative vocational training devices and new technologies.

Professional Competencies and Certification

In particular, parallel to the increased standardization approach in recent years in the USA, Europe and Japan and the increased importance of professional competencies (qualifications) and certification (certification) concepts in every profession, the Professional Qualifications Authority (MYK) was established in our country and the professional competency and related certification (professional certification) process began for each profession. More detailed information on this subject can be found in the references section at the end of this article.² Accordingly, certification activities in the paints and coatings industry in Turkey continue in parallel with EUROPASS work, which is the EU's MYK, and new professional standards and certificates are being published. These certificates can be accessed from the references section at the end of this article.^3,4

Remote Electronic Training Technology

Other professional learning methods in the industry are learning through computers and tablets, mobile electronic devices such mobile phones, namely online training technology. Many professional organizations in Europe and the USA conduct these non-formal vocational trainings, with the most prominent for the paints and coatings sector being the professional organizations ICORR, NACE, SSPC and PRA. ICORR: Institute of Corrosion NACE: National Association of Corrosion Engineers SSPC: Society for Protective Coatings PRA: Paint Research Association Alternatively, relating to only a single topic and taking a relatively much shorter time, the presentation of necessary professional and technical information online at a computer is called a webinar, which is a combination of the words "Web" and "Seminar" in the literature. NACE and SSPC societies have published and continue to publish numerous webinars concerning the paints and coatings industry.

Virtual Reality Vocational Training Devices

Perhaps the most groundbreaking and useful innovation in this field is the use of simulation and virtual reality technologies in painting vocational training. Some companies operating in the USA in this regard are developing simulation programs for training purposes and making them available to the general public through agreements with professional societies and companies. Thus, painting and blast cleaning applications can be performed virtually in a clean and safe environment away from dangerous field conditions, without using any materials (abrasives, paint, etc.).

Electronic Applications for Mobile Communication Devices

Particularly over the last 10-15 years, rapid developments have taken place in mobile communication devices such as mobile phones and tablets and their operating systems, which most of us working as professionals in the paints and coatings sector are already using. For example, almost all chemical raw material and finished product manufacturers in this sector, as well as device, tool and equipment manufacturers, are providing digital mobile applications (apps) for our use as employees and users both to simplify processes in their own companies and to promote their products and technologies. In fact, some professional societies and communities operating in this field provide their members with mobile applications of this type on your smartphones or other mobile devices both to be informed of organizational developments and to learn professional and technical knowledge.

Closing Remarks

The trends and technologies discussed in this article series lead to new developments in the paints and coatings sector, which result in both companies and individuals being more efficient and successful. Certainly, the technologies mentioned here may not cover all developments around the world. However, here we have attempted to examine the technologies that are prominent, noteworthy and provide significant benefits in the paints and coatings sector. Additional information can be obtained from the sources and links in the references section below. Until we meet in a new technical article, wishing you well and good work. Goodbye. PCS. Tolga Dıraz Chemical Engineer Protective Paints and Coatings Specialist Chair of TUCSA TK-4 Surface Protection Committee    

References 1. http://www.korozyondoktoru.org/hizlandirilmis-korozyon-ve-yaslandirma-testleri-boyalar-ve-kaplamlar-icin/ 2. https://www.dunya.com/gundem/mesleki-egitim-ve-sertifikasyonun-global-endustrideki-yeri-ve-turkiye- haberi-303244) 3. http://portal.myk.gov.tr/index.php?option=com_meslek_std_taslak&view=taslak_listesi_yeni&msd=2 4. https://portal.myk.gov.tr/index.php?option=com_belgelendirme&view=belgelendirme_islemleri&layout=aday_bilgi_sorgu 5. The March of Technology: A Review of Recent Articles on Coatings and Related Materials - D+D In Depth October 2016 - Harold Hower, Founder & Contributing Editor 6. Regulations in Coatings Work: Key Developments Over 30 Years - JPCL Three Decades of Change in the Coatings Industry 2013 Special Issue - Alison B. Kaelin, CQA, ABKaelin, LLC