This standard is a procedure for the application of metallic thermal spray coating (TSC) of aluminum, zinc, and their alloys and composites for the corrosion protection of steel. Required equipment, application procedures, and in-process quality control (QC) checkpoints are specified. This standard may be used as a procurement document. Appendix A presents a fill-in-the-blanks model procurement specification. The flow diagram in Figure 1 provides an overview of the thermal spray coating process presented in this standard.

Not included in this standard are requirements for design and fabrication, thermal spray equipment qualification, coating selection, and operator and inspector certification. For successful thermal spray application, the steel structure and components should be designed and fabricated according to NACE Standard RP0178.(footnote 5) Additional consideration should be given to weldments whose oxyfuel cut edges may affect hardness which may preclude adequate profile depth.

Footnote 5 - NACE standards can be obtained from NACE International, 1440 South Creek Drive, Houston, TX 77084-4906.