Abstract
Since 1994, when NORSOK(1) M-501 "Surface preparation and protective coating"1 was introduced,
there have been three major coating failure incidents on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. It is
instructive to look into the coating failure mechanisms for these three cases and compare that with the
NORSOK M-501 coating pre-qualification program. Why did the pre-qualification testing not reveal
these failures and what can be learned for future testing? The three cases are (1) painting of thermally
sprayed aluminum (TSA), (2) cracking of a rapidly curing coating system and (3) topcoat flaking of twocoat
paint films. This review of the three cases will show that in general NORSOK M-501 has fulfilled its
purposes, and in two of the three cases, the coating systems did actually not pass the pre-qualification
testing.
Key words: Coatings, degradation, marine atmosphere, case histories
there have been three major coating failure incidents on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. It is
instructive to look into the coating failure mechanisms for these three cases and compare that with the
NORSOK M-501 coating pre-qualification program. Why did the pre-qualification testing not reveal
these failures and what can be learned for future testing? The three cases are (1) painting of thermally
sprayed aluminum (TSA), (2) cracking of a rapidly curing coating system and (3) topcoat flaking of twocoat
paint films. This review of the three cases will show that in general NORSOK M-501 has fulfilled its
purposes, and in two of the three cases, the coating systems did actually not pass the pre-qualification
testing.
Key words: Coatings, degradation, marine atmosphere, case histories