Marine Anti-Corrosion Coating Testing Protocol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-corrosion coatings for mooring chains in marine environments have unsatisfactory and uncertain field performance, particularly due to issues with physical properties and antimicrobial efficacy against microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).

Innovation Solution

A method for testing anti-corrosion coatings involves conducting salt spray testing according to ASTM B117 for up to 3000 hours, with periodic interruptions to assess physical properties using standard tests like ASTM D4541 and ISO 4628 series. Additionally, antimicrobial efficacy is tested using ASTM E2149-13a or ASTM D1141-98.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anti-corrosion coatings are deployed in marine environments, then corrosion protection is provided, but field performance is unsatisfactory and uncertain due to MIC and physical property degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating performance reliabilityVSAvoidmicrobiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by conducting comprehensive pre-deployment testing that includes both salt spray exposure and antimicrobial efficacy evaluation. The testing protocol assesses coating performance before field deployment, identifying coatings that resist both corrosion and microbial attack in advance, thereby ensuring reliable performance when deployed in marine environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional salt spray testing is used alone, then corrosion resistance is assessed, but antimicrobial efficacy against MIC is not evaluated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistance assessmentVSAvoidtesting methodology comprehensiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two previously separate testing approaches into a unified evaluation protocol. It combines traditional salt spray testing (ASTM B117) with antimicrobial efficacy testing (ASTM E2149-13a or ASTM D1141-98), creating a comprehensive test methodology that simultaneously assesses both corrosion resistance and microbial resistance, thereby providing versatile and reliable coating evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If coatings are tested for long-term durability, then performance data is obtained, but testing time and resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating service lifeVSAvoidtesting duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces prolonged real-time field testing with accelerated laboratory-based salt spray testing combined with antimicrobial efficacy testing. This substitution allows for rapid assessment of coating performance under simulated marine conditions, obtaining durability data in a fraction of the time required for actual field deployment and observation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If multiple coating properties are assessed simultaneously, then comprehensive evaluation is achieved, but test complexity and procedural difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating evaluation accuracyVSAvoidtesting procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the comprehensive coating evaluation into distinct, standardized test modules: salt spray testing (ASTM B117) for corrosion resistance, and antimicrobial efficacy testing (ASTM E2149-13a or ASTM D1141-98) for microbial resistance. Each module uses established standard methods, making the complex evaluation process manageable and systematically executable while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250180465A1Test methods for Anti-corrosion coatings to simulate marine environments
Publication Date: 2025.06.05 CHEVRON USA INC

AI summary

The present application relates generally to systems and methods for testing anti-corrosion coatings for suitability in marine environments. The systems and methods advantageously accurately simulate a marine environment in a laboratory such that both physical properties and antimicrobial efficacy of a coating may be tested before deployment of the coating to a mooring system.