We have a supplier supplying the reinforcement bars FBE coated as per ASTM A 775. It has been noted that as per A 775 blasted surface to be checked for the surface profile to ensure the roughness with replica tapes (clause 6.1) and salt contaminations test as identified on note 7 on the blasted surface. As all of you aware the diameter of these rods commonly used are in the range from 10 – 60 mm and the surface also is not plain, use of these replica tape measurement and salt contamination is not possible and also won’t provide the actual measurement due to circular shape. [Insufficient plain contact area for proper placement of the inspection tool]. We suggest using sample test plates at the start of the shift, if the blasting and coating activity will proceed on the established set parameters.
Regarding the Adhesion test, clause 9.3 states one bar at every eight production hours looks like very extreme one, since the testing itself will take 168 hours. We feel testing one bar for each batch number of the powder coating material is sufficient to verify the adhesion properties instead of every 8 hours. If any problem occurs it can be easily identified at the stage of coating flexibility test (Bend test) itself since it has been conducted for every 4 hours.
Please let we have your opinion and comment on this.