ABSTRACT
This chapter considers testing the corrosion protection ability of coatings. It then provides a very brief explanation of some commonly used terms in corrosion testing of coatings is provided at the end of the chapter. The major weathering stresses that cause degradation of organic coatings are UV radiation, water and moisture, temperature, ions and chemicals. A great deal of research has gone into understanding the aging process of coatings, and attempts to replicate it more accurately and quickly in laboratories. The best coatings in a test can be expected to also be among the best in the field. There are several reasons for this: (1) different sites around the world have different climates, stresses, and aging mechanisms; (2) different coatings have different weaknesses, and will not respond identically to an accentuated stress in the laboratory; (3) It is not possible to accentuate all weathering factors and still maintain the balance between them that exists in the field.
