SSPC—Paint 20

April 1, 2002

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

SSPC-Paint 20
Zinc-Rich Coating Type I — Inorganic and Type II — Organic

1.Scope an organic or inorganic binder with appropriate solvents (see

Note 12.2).
1.1 This specification covers two types of highly pig-
mented zinc-rich coatings that are uniquely defined by their 2.3 VEHICLE TYPES
capabilities for protecting steel exposed at film discontinuities
such as narrow scratches and holidays. 2.3.1 Type l—A, inorganic post—curing vehicles—water—
soluble, include materials such as alkali metal silicates,

1.2 The vehicle type may be inorganic (Type I) or phosphates, and modifications thereof that must be subse—
organic (Type II). quently cured by application of heat or a solution of a curing
compound (or curing solution).
1.3 This specification does not cover weldable
preconstruction primers such as SSPC-Paint 30. 2.3.2 Type l—B, inorganic self-curing vehicles—water-
reducible, include water-soluble alkali metal silicates, qua-
1.4 Zinc-rich coatings, both topcoated and untopcoated, ternary ammonium silicates, phosphates, and modifications
have been used successfully in a wide variety of environ- thereof. These coatings cure by a reaction among the zinc,
mental zones. For a detailed breakdown of applicability of silicate, steel substrate, and naturally occurring carbon diox-

various types of Zinc—rich coatings in different environmen- ide during and after evaporation of water from the coating.
tal zones, refer to SSPC-PS Guide 12.00. Consult the
coating manufacturer for specific exposure recommenda- 2.3.3 Type l-C, inorganic self-curing vehicles—solvent-
tions (see Note 12.1). reducible, include titanates, organic silicates, and polymeric
modifications of these silicates. These systems are depen—
1.5 This coating is intended for application by spray for dent upon moisture from the atmosphere to complete hy-

use by itself or as a primer in a multi-coat system. drolysis, forming the titanate— or polysilicate—Zinc reaction
product.
2.Descfipfion
2.3.4 Type II, organic vehicles covered by this specifica-
tion may be chemically cured or may dry by solvent evapo-
2.1 USE OF SPECIFICATION
ration (see Note 12.3). Under certain conditions heat may be
used to facilitate or accelerate drying and curing.
2.1.1 Primers meeting this specification are catego-
rized according to vehicle type and zinc level.
2.4 COMPONENTS: These zinc dust primers may con-
sist of one, two, or three components.
2.1.2 If no vehicle type is specified, either Type |
(Inorganic) or Type II (Organic) is acceptable (see Section
2.5 ZINC DUST LEVEL CLASSIFICATION: The coat-
2.3).
ing shall be classified according to the level of zinc dust by
weight present in the dried film as follows:
2.1.3 If no zinc level is specified, zinc levels 1, 2, and 3
Level 1 — equal to or greater than 85%
are acceptable (see Section 2.5).
Level 2 — equal to or greater than 77% and less
than 85%
2.2 COMPOSITION: The coating described in this
Level 3 — equal to or greater than 65% and less
specification consists of zinc dust, functional additives, and
than 77%
SSPC-Paint 20
April 1, 2002

3. Referenced Standards * D 1475 Test Method for Density of Paint,

Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products
3.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the * D1535 Practice for Specifying Color by the
referenced standards in effect on the date of invitation to bid Munsell System
shall govern, unless otherwise specified. Standards marked * D 1640 Test Methods for Drying, Curing, or Film
with an asterisk (*) are referenced only in the Notes, which Formation of Organic Coatings at Room
are not requirements of this specification. Temperature
D 1654 Test Method for Evaluation of Painted or
3.2 If there is a conflict between the requirements of any Coated Specimens Subjected to Corro-
of the cited referenced standards and this specification, the sive Environments
requirements of this specification shall prevail. * D2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of
Coatings
3.3 SSPC STANDARDS AND JOINT STANDARDS: * D2371 Test Method for Pigment Content of
Solvent-Reducible Paints
Guide 13 Guide for the Identification * D 2621 Test Method for Infrared Identification of
and Use of Industrial Coating Vehicle Solids from Solvent—Reducible
Material in Computerized Paints
Product Databases D 3278 Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids
PA2 Measurement of Dry Coating by Setaflash Closed-Cup Apparatus
Thickness with Magnetic D 3359 Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion
Gages by Tape Test
* Paint 29 Zinc Dust Sacrificial Primer, D 4380 Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and
Performance—Based Related Pigmented Coatings
Paint 30 Weld-Through Inorganic Zinc D 4417 Test Methods for Field Measurement of
Primer Surface Profile of Blast Cleaned Steel
SP 1 Solvent Cleaning * D 5894 Practice for Cyclic Corrosion/UV
SP 5INACE No. 1 White Metal Blast Cleaning Exposure of Painted Metal (Alternating
PS Guide 12.00 Guide to Zinc—Rich Coating Exposures in a Fog/Dry Cabinet and a
Systems UV/Condensation Cabinet)
* PS 12.01 One—Coat Zinc—Rich Painting
System 3.5 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE
(ANSI) STANDARD:2
3.4 ASTM INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS:1
2129.1 Hazardous Industrial Chemicals—
A 572 Standard Specification for High-Strength Precautionary Labeling
Low-Alloy Columbium-Vanadium
Structural Steel 3.6 FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS:3
B117 Test Method of Salt Spray (Fog) Testing
D185 Test Methods for Coarse Particles in FED-STD-141 Paint, Varnish, Lacquer and Related
Pigments, Pastes, and Paints Materials: Methods of Inspection, Sampling and Testing
D 520 Specification for Zinc Dust Pigment
* D 562 Test Method for Consistency of Paints * Method 3011 Condition in Container
Using the Stormer Viscometer Method 4331 Spraying Properties
D714 Standard Test Method for Evaluating Method 4541 Working Properties and Appearance
Degree of Blistering of Paints of Dried Film
* D 1296 Test Method for Odor of Volatile Sol-
vents and Diluents 4. Composition Requirements
* D 1308 Test Method for Effect of Household
Chemicals on Clear and Pigmented 4.1 The manufacturer is given wide latitude in the
Organic Finishes selection of materials and manufacturing processes.
‘ ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
2 American National Standards Institute, 1819 L Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036. Standards downloadable from www.ansi.org.
3 FED STD 141 Available from USA Information Systems, Inc. 1092 Laskin Road, Suite 208, Virginia Beach, Va. 23451. This standard is
available on-line from www.usainfo.com.
2
 SSPC—Paint 20
April 1, 2002

4.2 PIGMENTATION 6. Requirements of Liquid Coating

4.2.1 The major pigment component in these coatings 6.1 MIXING: The liquid portion of a multi-component
is Zinc dust of the type described in ASTM D 520 (see Note coating shall be mixed and dispersed to produce a product
12.4). The amount of zinc dust by weight present in the dried that is uniform, stable, free from grit, and in conformance
film shall be as specified in accordance with Section 2.5. with the requirements of this specification.

4.2.2 Other pigment components may include extend— 6.1.1 The pigment portion of a multi-component coating
ers, curing aids, tinting colors, and suspension and pot-life (if supplied as a dust) shall be dry and loosely packed prior
control agents. to mixing.

5. Standard Testing Conditions 6.1.2 The ready-mixed coating shall be capable of

being dispersed under mechanical agitation to a smooth,
5.1 TEST PANELS: The hot rolled steel test panels uniform consistency and shall not show any objectionable
shall conform to ASTM A 572. Panel size shall be 100 mm properties in the mix.
x 150 x 3.2 mm (4 x 6 X 1/8 inches) or greater. Test panels
shall be solvent cleaned in accordance with SSPC—SP 1 6.1.3 After mixing, all types of coarse particles and
prior to blast cleaning. The test panels shall be blast cleaned skins as residue retained on a standard 60 mesh screen
in accordance with SSPC—SP 5 and have a blast profile of 44 shall be no more than 0.5% by weight of the total coating,
to 57 micrometers (1.75 to 2.25 mils). Measure the blast regardless of type, in accordance with ASTM D 185. If
profile in accordance with ASTM D 4417, Method C. required for new technology coatings, an alternate screen
size may be agreed to among the contracting parties.
5.2 APPLICATION: The coating shall be spray—applied as
a single coat in accordance with the coating manufacturer’s 6.2 POT LIFE: The pot life of a multi-component zinc-
written recommendations. rich coating, when mixed and ready for application in accor-
dance with the manufacturer’s written instructions, shall not
5.3 DRY FILM THICKNESS: The dry film thickness be exceeded. Pot life with adjustments for temperature and
(DFT) of the test panels shall meet the manufacturer’s humidity shall be provided by the coating manufacturer.
written recommended minimum and shall not exceed the Properly mixed and applied material used up to the end of the
manufacturer’s stated minimum by more than 25 microme— pot life shall pass the adhesion test described in Section 7.2.
ters (1 mil). If there is no recommended film thickness, then
the thickness shall be 60 to 90 micrometers (2.5 to 3.5 mils). 6.3 STORAGE LIFE: Neither the vehicle of the multi-
The DFT shall be measured in accordance with the Annex. component coating nor the ready-mixed coating shall show
thickening that is detrimental to performance or application
5.4 CURE: The coating shall be dried and cured in properties. The components or coating shall exhibit no
accordance with manufacturer’s written recommendations. curdling, gelling, gassing, or hard caking after being stored
Before any testing, all coated panels shall be aged for a unmixed for a minimum of six months from date of delivery
minimum of 30 days in an environment with a minimum in a tightly sealed, unopened container at a temperature of
relative humidity of 55%. 10 to 32°C (50 to 90°F).

5.5 SCRIBING: Scribe two parallel lines on the face of 6.4 WORKING PROPERTIES: The mixed coating shall
the coated panels so as to expose the underlying metal spray easily and show no signs of, streaking, running,
before testing. The lines shall be at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) from sagging, or other objectionable features when applied within
the edge, the top, and the bottom of each panel and at least the coating manufacturer’s recommended film thickness
5 cm (2 inches) from each other. Each scribe shall be at least range and tested in accordance with FED—STD-141, Meth-
6 cm (2.4 inches) long. The scribes may run vertically or at ods 4331 and 4541.
an angle across the face of the panel. Follow the scribe—
making procedure described in ASTM D 1654. 6.5 FLASH POINT: The minimum flash point, as deter-
mined by ASTM D 3278, should be “none” for inorganic
5.6 BACKS AND EDGES: Coat and seal all edges and water—based Zinc dust coatings, and a minimum of 44°C
the back side of each panel with a coating or tape that will (40°F) for solvent— based inorganic zinc primers (Type I) and
provide the necessary protection to these surfaces. for organic zinc primers (Type II).
SSPC-Paint 20
April 1, 2002

7. Laboratory Physical Tests of Applied Films of dispute, unless otherwise specified, the arbitration or
settlement procedure established in the procurement docu-
7.1 MUDCRACKING: The coating, when applied and ments shall be followed. If no arbitration procedure is estab-
aged in accordance with Sections 5.1, 5.2, and 5.4 to a 125 lished, the procedure specified by the American Arbitration
micrometer (5 mil) minimum dry film thickness, shall show Association shall be used.
no signs of mudcracking visible to the eye unaided by
magnification. 10.2 Samples of paints may be requested by the pur-
chaser and shall be supplied upon request along with the
7.2 ADHESION: The coating, when applied, dried, and manufacturer’s name and identification for the materials.
cured in accordance with Section 5, shall be tested per Samples may be requested at the time the purchase order
ASTM D 3359, Method B. There shall be no separation of the is placed or may be taken from unopened containers at the
coating or delamination of an entire square. Loss of adhe- job site.
sion around the perimeter due to cutting of each square is
acceptable. The adhesion rating shall be no less than grade 48. 10.3 Unless otherwise specified, the sampling shall be
in accordance with ASTM D 4380.
8. Accelerated Laboratory Weathering Test
11. Disclaimer
8.1 SALT FOG EXPOSURE TEST: Triplicate panels
prepared in accordance with Section 5 shall be exposed in 11.1 While every precaution is taken to ensure that all
a salt fog cabinet in accordance with ASTM B 117. Inorganic information furnished in SSPC standards and specifications
coatings (Type I) shall be exposed for 3000 hours and is as accurate, complete, and useful as possible, SSPC
organic coatings (Type II) shall be exposed for 1000 hours cannot assume responsibility nor incur any obligation result—
(aee Notes 12.5 and 12.6). ing from the use of any materials, coatings, or methods
specified herein, or of the specification or standard itself.
8.1.1 Rust Evaluation: After the specified exposure
time, each replicate panel shall have no rusting of the coated 11.2 This specification does not attempt to address
portion. Slight rusting in the scribe mark is permissible and problems concerning safety associated with its use. The
resulting staining should be ignored. Strips 6 mm (1/4 in) user of this specification, as well as the user of all products
wide along the edges of the panel may be ignored. or practices described herein, is responsible for instituting
appropriate health and safety practices and for ensuring
8.1.2 Blister Evaluation: After the specified exposure compliance with all governmental regulations.
time, there shall be no blistering for Type I coatings; medium
blistering is permitted for Type II coatings per measurement 12. Notes
guidelines of ASTM D 714.
Notes are not requirements of this specification.
8.1.3 Scribe Evaluation: After the specified exposure
time, there shall be no undercutting from the scribe. 12.1 USES: This primer covers a range of vehicle types
(inorganic/organic, water-borne/solvent-borne, one-pack/
9.LabeHng two-packlthree-pack, chemical curing/thermoplastic). A de-
tailed description of environmental zone conditions is con-
9.1 Labeling shall conform to ANSI Z129.1. tained in Chapter 1 of the SSPC Painting Manual, Vol. 2—
Systems and Specifications, Eighth Edition. Consult SSPC-
9.2 Technical data shall be provided for at least all data PS Guide 12.00 and coating manufacturers for specific
elements categorized as “essential” in SSPC—Guide 13. exposure limitations. PS 12.00 does not address Zinc dust
loading. Caution should be used when zinc-rich coatings
10. Inspection contact austenitic stainless steel. In case of fire, molten zinc
metal may cause embrittlement of austenitic stainless steel.
10.1 All materials supplied under this specification are
subject to timely inspection by the purchaser or his autho- 12.2 VOC CONTENT: Each coating, after recommended
rized representative. The purchaser shall have the right to thinning, must conform to published government regula-
reject any materials supplied that are found to be defective tions regarding volatile organic compound (VOC) content.
under this specification (see Notes 12.7 and 12.8). In case VOC information should be supplied on the label or the
 SSPC—Paint 20
April 1, 2002

technical data sheet. Various governmental agencies may with sea water, appropriate test requirements other than
have different VOC limits or use different methods of testing. those already specified might be:
The owner may modify this specification as necessary to - Synthetic Sea Water Immersion (4,000 hours) ASTM
specify a particular VOC content limit consistent with local D 1308
regulations. Coatings meeting the composition and perfor- - Oil Immersion (4,000 hours) ASTM D 1308
mance requirements of this specification usually have a - A cyclic combination of both
VOC level less than 500 g/L (4.2 Ib/gal). Comparative testing of all candidate zinc-rich coatings
will be more meaningful than individual testing of each
12.3 TYPE II, ORGANIC VEHICLE TYPES: Typical of coating.
this group of vehicles are phenoxies, catalyzed epoxies,
epoxy esters, moisture-curing polyurethanes, styrenes, sili- 12.6.2 Sources for Other Tests: Standard tests that
cones, and vinyls. This listing is not all—inclusive. may be useful for further qualification are available from a
number of organizations, including ASTM, U.S. Govern—
12.4 LEAD LEVEL IN ZINC DUST: ASTM D 520 speci- ment Federal Specifications (TT-P; MIL-P, etc.), Federal
fies three types of zinc dusts for use as pigments in coatings. Test Method Standards (141), and the Canadian Govern-
Type | is a general grade in which no maximum level of lead ment Specifications Board. A partial listing of public zinc—
is specified. Type II is a high-purity grade with a maximum rich specifications requiring qualification testing is presented
lead level of 0.01% by weight. Type III is the highest purity in the Notes of SSPC-PS Guide 12.00.
grade, with a maximum lead level of 0.002% by weight. Any
grade of zinc dust can be used in the zinc coatings covered 12.7 The procurement documents should establish the
by this specification. However, it is important to note that if responsibility for samples, testing, and any required affida-
Type I zinc is used, it is possible to exceed the permissible vit certifying full compliance with the specification.
exposure limit (PEL) for lead when the products are re—
moved by abrasive blasting. For additional information relat- 12.8 QUALITY ASSURANCE TESTS: If the user
ing the lead content of the coating to worker exposure to chooses, tests may be used to determine the acceptability
lead during blasting see Gary L. Tinklenberg and Denise M. of a lot or batch of a qualified coating. The quality assurance
Doezema, “Health Concerns for Workers Using Zinc-Rich tests are used to determine whether the supplied products
Coatings,” Journal of Protective Coatings and Linings, Vol. are of the same type and quality as those originally tested
15, No. 5 [May 1998], pp 36-46. In addition to lead, cadmium and certified for acceptance. The selected tests should
and other toxic metals may pose a health hazard. Placing accurately and rapidly measure the physical and chemical
overly restrictive requirements on some materials may re- characteristics of the coating necessary to verify that the
sult in the inability of manufacturers to produce products supplied material is substantially the same as the previously
meeting this specification. accepted material. All of the quality assurance tests must be
performed on the originally submitted qualification sample.
12.5 Coatings that fail the ASTM B 117 test may perform The results of these tests are used to establish pass/fail
well under actual service conditions. For most coatings, the criteria for quality assurance testing of supplied products.
use of ASTM D 5894 instead of ASTM B 117 has proven to
be a more reliable predictor of performance. However, it 12.8.1 Establishing Quality Assurance Acceptance
appears that untopcoated zinc-rich primers may still be Criteria: Many ASTM test methods contain precision and
reasonably evaluated using ASTM B 117. bias statements. Specification developers should be cogni-
zant of the fact that these statements exist. Quality assur—
12.6 ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION TESTS: Because ance test criteria should not be more stringent than the
of the diversity of potential service environments, the user interlaboratory precision of the test methods used.
may require the zinc-rich coating be further exposed and Example: A common quality assurance test is den-
qualified by at least one additional test relating to the sity (weight per gallon) as measured by ASTM D 1475.
intended exposure. It should be emphasized that a well- The interlaboratory reproducibility at the 95% confi-
designed non-standard test may often provide more mean— dence level tells us that because of errors associated
ingful information for a given service condition than one or with the method, any two measurements of the same
more standard tests. material can differ by as much as 1.8%, without the
measurements being considered suspect. This only
12.6.1 Immersion Tests: If, for example, the intended represents the precision of the measurement technique
service is a petroleum tanker cargo hold which is ballasted and does not account for normal variances in the manu-
factured product.
SSPC-Paint 20
April 1, 2002

The acceptable range for paint density must be stated. 12.9 For a performance specification of a zinc coating,
For example, a composition specification may state this refer to SSPC—Paint 29.
requirement as 10.0 i 0.2 lb/gal, 10.0 lb/gal i 2%, or as
a range from 9.8 to 10.2 lblgal. The manufacturer of ANNEX — Method for Measuring Dry Film Thick-
proprietary products should provide this information. ness on Coated Steel Test Panels
Using these values, if the manufacturer’s lab measures
the density to be 9.8 lb/gal, the product meets the 1. Panel Size: The test panel shall have a minimum area of
specification and the paint is shipped to the job. Be— 116 cm2 (18 inchz) and a maximum area of 930 cm2 (144
cause of the lab-to-lab variation of 1.8%, the user’s lab inch?); e.g., minimum 7.5 x 15 cm (3 x 6 inch) and maximum
may measure the density of this sample to be as low as 30 x 30 cm (12 x 12 inches).
9.8 less 1.8% of 9.8 (equals 9.6) lblgal. Similarly for the
high end, the manufacturer may measure density of 2. Procedure: Use a Type 2 constant pressure probe gauge
10.2 lb/gal while the user measures 10.2 plus 1.8% of as described in SSPC—PA 2. Take two gauge readings from
10.2 (equals 10.4) lb/gal. The pass/fail criteria for the the top third, the middle third, and the bottom third of the test
user to accept a batch of paint should therefore be 9.6 panel. Readings should be taken at least 25 mm (1 inch)
to 10.4 lblgal. from any edge and from any other gauge reading. Discard
Where precision and bias data are not available for a any unusually high or low gauge reading that cannot be
given test method, determine the standard deviation of repeated consistently. Take the average of the six accept-
a minimum of five measurements taken on the originally able gauge readings.
tested and certified material. The pass/fail criterion is
that the measurement of the test sample shall fall within 3. Minimum Thickness: The average of the acceptable
two standard deviations of the target value. The con- gauge readings shall be no less than the specified minimum
tracting parties must agree on a target value. thickness. No single gauge reading shall be less than 80%
of the specified minimum.
12.8.2 Recommended Quality Assurance Tests:
Recommended quality assurance tests include but are not 4. Maximum Thickness: The average of the acceptable
limited to, infrared analysis (ASTM D 2621 ), viscosity (ASTM gauge readings shall be no more than the specified maxi-
D 562), weight per gallon (ASTM D 1475), total solids (ASTM mum thickness. No single gauge reading shall be more than
D 2369), dry time (ASTM D 1640), percent pigment (ASTM D 120% of the specified maximum. If no maximum thickness
2371), color (ASTM D 1535), condition in container (FED— is specified, the maximum shall be 2 mils above the mini-
STD-141, Method 3011), and odor (ASTM D 1296). mum or 135% of the minimum DFT, whichever is greater.