Soluble salts are a major cause of coating failures, responsible for around 64% of cases. They are non-visible contaminants that can accelerate corrosion. Using Chlor-Rid soluble salt remover and testing kits helps ensure surfaces are properly cleaned, preventing premature coating failures and extending asset life at low cost. Engineering and project staff should update specifications and implement best practices to test for and remove soluble salts.

1. Removing Soluble Salts
Protects Your Assets
More Economically than
Other Initiatives
REGIS DOUCETTE
CHLOR RID, INTERNATIONAL
(201) 664 5487 REGIS77@VERIZON.NET

2. Soluble Salts Are Everywhere But
Should Not Be Allowed on Certain Parts
of YOUR Assets
One key statistic from trade association, SSPC,
revealed that 80% of all coating failures were
attributable to bad surface preparation.
A separate survey said that 80% of bad surface
preparation was a consequence of soluble salts.
This equates to the notion that 64% or two-thirds
of all coating failures are related to avoidable
soluble salt contamination.

3. Nature of the Beast—What are Soluble
Salts
Ionic contaminants (like dust particles that interfere with adhesion, accelerate
corrosion, cause blistering, and allow disbondment of protective coatings such
as insulation or fire resistant coatings)
Water soluble inorganic compounds (humidity triggers the electrolyte portion of
the “corrosion cell” that is the mechanism for corrosion)
Primarily chlorides, sulfates, and nitrates (that convert to hydrochloric, sulfuric,
and nitric acids on metals which explains why rust “corrodes” metals)
Non-visible contaminants (shown in detail on next slide which illustrates why
ion specific and real test kits are required for assessment before and after
remediation)
Can bond electrochemically to the metal substrate (which is why a chemical is
needed to remediate and not just mechanical abrasion)

4. Soluble Salts Are Non-Visible
at One Millionth the Size of a
Sand Particle
40 mil
The “gold” standard in protective coatings standards is the white metal blast
“appearance” for surface cleanliness. However, that is based on visible to
the naked eye assessment. Here we see proof that this serious contaminant
makes what is “pretty”, not so pretty!!!

5. Visible Corrosion On
Untested/Untreated Soluble Salt
Contaminated Surfaces (4 days!!)

6. Why use CHLOR RID to test for
Soluble Salts
 Field proven for more than two decades, premeasured elements of the test kits
accurately and quickly reveal the ion specific contamination levels. Different
salts have different corrosivities with different allowable thresholds
 Testing after cleaning assures the proper level of cleanliness is attained.
 Consumable components assure no cross-contamination
 Major scientific laboratories buy and use our test kits including Federal
Highway Authority for their reliability in replicating results.
 Specifications specifically call out for our CSN test kit for chlorides, sulfates, and
nitrates for different authorities including US Navy Facilities Command and US
Army Corps of Engineers. http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/DOD/UFGS/UFGS%2009%2097%2013.27.pdf

7. Why Use CHLOR RID Soluble Salt
Remover
Assures proper surface preparation and is viewed as Best Management Practice
Helps prevent premature coating failures and works with all coating systems
Extends life of coating system with significant economic advantages (next slide)
Added to potable wash water to remove soluble salts from the surfaces with normal equipment.
Offers DUAL FUNCTION CHEMISTRY that 1. Chelates the metal cations and 2. Sequesters the salt anions
Biodegradable (when tested for LDL, lethal dose limit, it was not tested in the 1 to 100 ratio as intended
to be used, but accidentally was tested at FULL concentrated strength, and still passed.)
Cost effective at about ten cents per sq ft plus a second dime approximation for test kits, that favorably
compares with other preparation costs which do not remove soluble salts as readily and cost $/sq ft.

8. “Prior to 1995, it is estimated
that at least 3 out of 4
contractors suffered major
failures during projects or
shortly thereafter. Most
coatings did not survive more
than 5 to 7 years. Now with
changes, including
CHLOR*RID, we have an
approximately 70 to 90%
reduction in lifecycle costs,
have reduced premature
coating failures and increased
service life.”
--source, NAVFAC

9. How You Can Help Preserve Your
Assets and Optimize Your
Construction Dollars
Engineering staff (internal and outsourced) can update specifications for
surface preparation sections and concrete repairs (inspired by successful
private industry, SSPC, NACE, AREMA, US D.O.D.,)
Project staff on projects can implement Best Management Practices of
testing for and removing soluble salts (various references worldwide)
Maintenance staff periodically maintenance wash surfaces to remove
surface salts (inspired by various Transportation Departments and
professional practices, e.g W VA DOT and W VA Pkwy. Auth.)

10. End Notes
SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings, Technology Guide 15, Field Methods for
Extraction and Analysis of Soluble Salts on Steel and Other Nonporous Substrates,
www.sspc.org/market-place/standards
NACE: National Association of Corrosion Engineers, NACE Report 6G186, Surface
Preparation of Soluble Salt Contaminated Steel Substrates Prior to Coating,
http://web.nace.org/Departments/Store/Search.aspx
More info at www.chlor-rid.com (made in America)
regis@chlor-rid.com (but prefer…. regis77@Verizon.net where file size not matter)