Advancing Coating Science: Non-Destructive Methods for Coating Degradation Evaluation and Breakdown Mechanism Investigation

In the pursuit of robust solutions to augment the durability and performance of coated structures, non-destructive testing techniques have become indispensable tools in unravelling the complexities of coating systems. This study centres on the innovative application of advanced non-destructive methods, encompassing optical 3D Profilometry, Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM), and a comparative analysis with the ISO 12944-9-based approach, for a comprehensive evaluation of coatings degradation from a damage. The research spans two coating systems, namely an epoxy-primed (EP/PUR) system and a zinc-rich epoxy-primed (ZnEP/PUR) system, undergoing accelerated laboratory testing and real-field testing environmental conditions.