SSPC develops performance-based coating standards through a consensus process involving coating suppliers and owners. Older SSPC standards specified coating formulations, but newer standards establish minimum performance requirements for properties like color retention and weathering resistance, allowing for formulation flexibility. Key SSPC performance standards include Paint 39 for polyurea topcoats, PS 28.01 for zinc-rich polyurethane/polyurea systems, and Paint 45 for thick-film polyurea and hybrid systems. These standards undergo periodic review to reflect advances in polyurea coating technology and performance.

1. SSPC Performance-Based
Polyurea Coating Standards
Michael Damiano
SSPC Director of Technical Services

2. SSPC Mission
To inspire learning, advance knowledge, and elevate
performance in the industry through training,
certification, and education of the workforce,
communication of advances in technology, and
promotion of the use of protective coatings.

3. SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
• Represents industrial painting
industry
• Develops/distributes
information and standards
• Programs to improve
quality/safety
• Monitors industry trends/
regulations

4. SSPC Standards
• Collected in Volume 2, Systems
and Specifications.
• SSPC standards are also available
free to members from the web
site: www.sspc.org

5. Performance vs. Formulation Standards
•Older SSPC coatings standards (1950-1990) were
primarily formulation-based
• Set requirements for coating ingredients
• “Recipe” for making a coating
• Very little flexibility allowed in formulation, so no room
for innovation or use of new materials or technologies

6. Performance-Based Standards
•Beginning in 1990, the SRC recommended
performance-based standards
• establish minimum performance requirements for a
product
• Color retention (ΔE*)
• South Florida weathering (ASTM D 1014)
• allows for flexibility in formulation

7. Contents of Performance-Based Standards
• Accelerated laboratory testing
for specific qualities to meet
requirements of expected
service environments
• Reference ASTM standards

8. Kennedy Bridge over Ohio River
Louisville, KY
• 1-mile long bridge
• Maintenance repaint
• 2-Coat Polyaspartic Topcoat/Zn
Primer

9. SSPC Consensus Standards
• Developed thru ANSI-approved process
• ANSI establishes requirements for development procedures for
consensus standards
• Input from coating suppliers, facility owners, other stakeholders
required
• SSPC Standards Review Committee (SRC) oversees SSPC
standards development

10. SSPC Performance-Based
Polyurea Coating/System Standards
• SSPC-Paint 39, Two-Component Aliphatic Polyurea Topcoat
Fast or Moderate Drying, Performance-Based (issued April
2004, revised April 2015)
• SSPC-PS 28.01,Two-Coat Zinc-Rich Polyurethane
Primer/Aliphatic Polyurea Topcoat System, Performance-
Based (issued April 2009)

11. SSPC-Paint 39
•Two-Component Weatherable Polyurea Topcoat
• Thin film polyurea (6-9 mils)
•Two types – differentiated by dry time
• Type I – dry to touch ≤30 min
• Type II – dry to touch 30 min to 2 hours

12. Paint 39 Evaluation Criteria
• Color/Gloss retention
important
• Accelerated/natural
weathering requirements
• Natural weathering data
preferred
• Requirements for light colored
coatings

13. Dodger Stadium
• Completed Feb 2006
• Concrete decking repaired,
steam cleaned, and primed
• Topcoat chosen for UV, stain,
and abrasion resistance
• VOC 236 g/L
• Elongation 100 ±25 %

14. SSPC-PS 28.01
•Two-Coat Zinc-Rich Polyurethane Primer/Aliphatic
Polyurea Topcoat System, Performance-Based
• Primer must meet SSPC Paint 40 (zinc-rich moisture cure
polyurethane primer)
• Topcoat must meet SSPC Paint 39, Type II

15. PS 28.01 System Requirements
•Gloss and color retention same requirements as for
Paint 39
•Requirements for rust, blister and scribe undercutting
after exposure
• ASTM D 5894 (cyclic corrosion/UV/condensation) – 15
cycles or 5080 hours

16. I-84 Connecticut Bridge
• 2-Coat System
• Primer - Polyurethane/Zn
• Topcoat – Polyaspartic
Polyurea
• 10-12 mils

17. Dallas Cowboy Stadium
• Completed 2009
• PAE/Zn 2-coat system
• Project schedule required fast-
dry coating

18. SSPC-Paint 43
Direct-To-Metal (DTM) Aliphatic Polyurea Coating,
Performance-Based
• Issued March 1, 2012
• Self-priming aliphatic polyurea coating
• Composition requirements similar to Paint 39 Type 2
• Intended for single-coat application in fab shops with field touch-up
• DFT between 6-9 mils

19. National Museum of the Marine Corps

20. SSPC-PA 14
• Standard for Field Application of Plural Component Polyurea and
Polyurethane Thick Film Coatings to Concrete and Steel
• Not a coating standard
• Contains requirements for application to supplement instructions on
manufacturer’s product data sheet
• Completed October 2012

21. SSPC-Paint 45
•Performance-Based Standard for Two-Component,
Thick-Film Polyurea and Polyurea/Polyurethane
Hybrid Coating Systems
• Accelerated testing performance requirements for
hindered and non-hindered coatings and hybrid systems
• Type I – isocyanate and amine terminated resin
• Type II – isocyanate and amine terminated and hydroxyl
terminated resin blend

22. San Mateo-Hayward Bridge
• Completed in 1999
• Primer --100% solids epoxy
• Intermediate – 100% solids
aromatic polyurea
• Topcoat – 100% solids
polyaspartic polyurea

23. Status of Polyurea Standards
• Paints 39, 43, 45, PS 28.01 and PA 14 all due for periodic
review/revision in 2018
• SSPC must canvass for consensus committee reviewers and for
volunteers to chair revision committees
• Contact Aimée Beggs (beggs@sspc.org) if you are interested in
joining any of the review committees

24. Obtaining SSPC Standards
• Online, via SSPC Standards Store at www.sspc.org (download
individual .pdfs)
• SSPC Members may download .pdfs via Members Only site at no
additional charge (requires ID and password)
• Call SSPC Publications Dept. at 412-281-2331 x 2204
• Vol. 2 available as individual .pdfs or as printed collection

25. Thank You!
Questions?