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Salt, Dust, Chloride Contamination Buying Guide

Achieving a flawless, long-lasting finish on steel surfaces starts with a clean foundation. Surface contamination from soluble salts and residual blast media are major factors affecting the long-term performance of coatings on steel surfaces. Before the application of protective coatings, substrates must be thoroughly inspected for the presence of surface contaminants such as soluble salts, dust, oil, and grease. Avoid premature coating failure and costly rework!

Ensure optimal coating performance on your steel projects. This buying guide will help you select the right surface contaminant test kit for your next project.

	Contaminants Measured	Standards	Best Scenarios	Benefits	Disadvantages
DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR SST KIT – PROBE ONLY VARIATIONS	Measures Total Salts – Chlorides (Measuring Range): Conductivity: 0 – 1,500 μS/cm Surface Density: 0 – 6,000 mg/m2, 0.0 – 600.0 μg/cm2	ISO 8502-6/8502-9 US Navy NSI 009-32 US Navy PPI 63101-000 Navy NAVSEA 009-32 AS 3894.6 IMO MSC.215(82) IMO MSC.244(83) SSPC Guide 15 ISO 11127-6 ASTM D4940	Measures Total Salts Complete kit of Defelsko SST system. Includes deionized wash water, components required to capture wash water, syringes to extract wash water and probe to calculate test results.	Operator doesn’t need to do any calculations to arrive at a reading as they are calculated by the gauge.	Does not measure chlorides, nitrates or sulfates individually, you need a titration tube for that Higher investment required.
SCAT SURFACE CONTAMINATION ANALYSIS TEST KIT	Chlorides (40 ppm) Ferrous ions (3 ppm) pH level (4 to 9)	AS1627-1 AS3894-6	Measuring Chloride, Ferrous Irons & pH level. Uses a test strip to measure in parts per million (ppm)	Older technology with no benefit over alternate technologies.	Older technology, that has more steps in it’s process and has more complex processes than alternate testing procedures.
CHLORTEST CSN TEST KIT COMPLETE	Chlorides (5-200 ppm) Sulfates (0-100 ppm) Nitrates (0-150 ppm)	ISO8502 AS1627-4	Allows for testing for Chlorides (commonly known as salt), Sulfates (found sulfuric acid, which is present in exhaust fumes and creates acid rain) and Nitrates (found in nitric acid, which is present in exhaust emission and fertilizers)	Complete Kit, Contains Titration tubes to measure distinct surface contaminants	none
CHLOR*TEST SURFACE CHLORIDE ION TEST KIT	Chlorides (5-200 ppm)	ISO8502-5 ISO8502-6 AS1627-4	Testing for chloride, commonly known as sea or rock salt, by far the most common surface contaminant on a blasted surface.	Ability to measure for three different salts – chlorides, sulfides and nitrates.	None
CHLORCHECK CHLOR*TEST ABRASIVE CHLORIDE TEST KIT	Abrasive Chlorides (1-50 ppm)	ASTM D4940	Unique kit to determine the presence of chlorides in your abrasive. Don’t unwittingly blast adhesion destroying salt onto the surface you want to coat.	When your specification calls you to measure the chlorides in your abrasive	None


	DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR SST KIT – PROBE & PACKAGE OPTIONS	SCAT SURFACE CONTAMINATION ANALYSIS TEST KIT	CHLORTEST CSN TEST KIT COMPLETE	CHLOR*TEST SURFACE CHLORIDE ION TEST KIT	CHLORCHECK CHLOR*TEST ABRASIVE CHLORIDE TEST KIT
Contaminants Measured	Measures Total Salts – Chlorides (Measuring Range): Conductivity: 0 – 1,500 μS/cm Surface Density: 0 – 6,000 mg/m2, 0.0 – 600.0 μg/cm2	Chlorides (40 ppm) Ferrous ions (3 ppm) pH level (4 to 9)	Chlorides (5-200 ppm) Sulfates (0-100 ppm) Nitrates (0-150 ppm)	Chlorides (5-200 ppm)	Abrasive Cholorides (1-50 ppm)
Standards	ISO 8502-6/8502-9 US Navy NSI 009-32 US Navy PPI 63101- 000 Navy NAVSEA 009-32 AS 3894.6 IMO MSC.215(82) IMO MSC.244(83) SSPC Guide 15 ISO 11127-6 ASTM D4940	AS1627-1 AS3894-6	ISO8502 AS1627-4	ISO8502-5 ISO8502-6 AS1627-4	ASTM D4940
Best Scenarios	Measures Total Salts Complete kit of Defelsko SST system. Includes deionized wash water, components required to capture wash water, syringes to extract wash water and probe to calculate test results.	Measuring Chloride, Ferrous Irons & pH level. Uses a test strip to measure in parts per million (ppm)	Allows for testing for Chlorides (commonly known as salt), Sulfates (found sulfuric acid, which is present in exhaust fumes and creates acid rain) and Nitrates (found in nitric acid, which is present in exhaust emission and fertilizers)	Testing for chloride, commonly known as sea or rock salt, by far the most common surface contaminant on a blasted surface.	Unique kit to determine the presence of chlorides in your abrasive. Don’t unwittingly blast adhesion destroying salt onto the surface you want to coat.
Benefits	Operator doesn’t need to do any calculations to arrive at a reading as they are calculated by the gauge.	Older technology with no benefit over alternate technologies.	Complete Kit, Contains Titration tubes to measure distinct surface contaminants	Ability to measure for three different salts – chlorides, sulfides and nitrates.	When your specification calls you to measure the chlorides in your abrasive
Disadvantages	Does not measure chlorides, nitrates or sulfates individually, you need a titration tube for that Higher investment required.	Older technology, that has more steps in it’s process and has more complex processes than alternate testing procedures.	None	None	None

	Best Scenarios	Benefits	Disadvantages
DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR SST – PROBE ONLY	Probe only for where an inspector already has a DeFelsko body. Gauge set up will measure total salts	Fast accurate and simple	Will only measure total salts, not individual chloride ions
DEFELSKO® SST POSIPATCH STANDARD (RIGID) MAGNETIC RING	Flat surfaces or those with a diameter greater than 40”	Failsafe method of containing wash water Uses Plastic Needle, so safe for ‘no-sharp’ sites	None
DEFELSKO® SST POSIPATCH FLEXIBLE MAGNETIC RING	Surfaces with a diameter equal to, or greater than 4”	Failsafe method of containing wash water Uses Plastic Needle, so safe for ‘no-sharp’ sites	None
DEFELSKO POSITECTOR SST LATEX PATCHES	Used for containing deionized water (wash fluid).	Usually leaves no adhesive behind after removal.	None


	DEFELSKO® POSITECTOR SST – PROBE ONLY	DEFELSKO® SST POSIPATCH STANDARD (RIGID) MAGNETIC RING	DEFELSKO® SST POSIPATCH FLEXIBLE MAGNETIC RING	DEFELSKO POSITECTOR SST LATEX PATCHES
Best Scenarios	Probe only for where an inspector already has a DeFelsko body. Gauge set up will measure total salts	Flat surfaces or those with a diameter greater than 40”	Surfaces with a diameter equal to, or greater than 4”	Used for containing deionized water (wash fluid)
Benefits	Fast accurate and simple	Failsafe method of containing wash water Uses Plastic Needle, so safe for ‘no-sharp’ sites	Failsafe method of containing wash water Uses Plastic Needle, so safe for ‘no-sharp’ sites	Usually leaves no adhesive behind after removal
Disadvantages	Will only measure total salts, not individual chloride ions	None	None	None

Name	Best Scenarios	Benefits	Disadvantages
PosiTest DT Dust Tape Test Kit	Assess the quantity and size of dust particles on blasted clean surfaces in accordance with ISO 8502-3	Ensures Surface Cleanliness: Helps guarantee a clean surface before applying coatings, leading to better adhesion and overall finish Easy to Use: The kit includes all the necessary tools and instructions for conducting dust tape tests according to ISO 8502-3 standards Pass/Fail Testing: Provides a clear indication of whether the surface meets the required cleanliness level Provides Documentation: Includes report forms to record test results, creating a permanent record for quality control purposes Portable and Versatile: Suitable for both field and laboratory use, making it a practical solution for various applications Complies with Standards: Conforms to international and military cleanliness standards like ISO 8502-3, AS 3894.6, and US Navy PPI 63101-000 Detailed Analysis: The included illuminated magnifier and dust test comparator enable easy and accurate assessment of dust particle size and quantity	The tape doesn’t remove any coating material, so deeply embedded contaminants might be missed
PosiTest DT Dust Tape Roller	Pairs with the DT Test Kit – optional spring-loaded dust tape roller can be added to apply constant force during tape application	Applies Consistent Force: Ensures accurate dust tape tests by applying consistent pressure as recommended by ISO 8502-3 standards Improves Accuracy: Consistent pressure leads to more reliable assessment of dust particle size and quantity on a cleaned surface Complies with Standards: Helps you adhere to international and military cleanliness standards like ISO 8502-3, AS 3894.6, and US Navy PPI 63101-000	Not essential for basic testing
Duct Tape Test Complete Kit	Ensures paint adhesion on steel by analyzing dust levels according to ISO standards in a portable and user-friendly way	Ensures Coating Adhesion: Helps guarantee a clean surface before painting, leading to better adhesion and a longer-lasting finish Field-Ready: Portable and includes all necessary tools for on-site testing according to ISO 8502-3 standards Pass/Fail Results: Provides clear and easy-to-interpret results, indicating if the surface meets the required cleanliness level Detailed Analysis: Includes an illuminated magnifier and comparator for accurate assessment of dust particle size and quantity Organized Documentation: Sturdy binder keeps all components organized and includes standardized report forms for recording test results User-Friendly: Pictorial instruction manual ensures even first-time users can conduct tests effectively Complete Kit: Contains everything you need to perform dust tape tests, including tape, scissors, sample transfer sheet, and comparator display board	The tape doesn’t remove any coating material, so deeply embedded contaminants might be missed


	PosiTest DT Dust Tape Test Kit	PosiTest DT Dust Tape Roller	Duct Tape Test Complete Kit
Best Scenarios	Assess the quantity and size of dust particles on blasted clean surfaces in accordance with ISO 8502-3	Pairs with the DT Test Kit – optional spring-loaded dust tape roller can be added to apply constant force during tape application	Ensures paint adhesion on steel by analyzing dust levels according to ISO standards in a portable and user-friendly way
Benefits	Ensures Surface Cleanliness: Helps guarantee a clean surface before applying coatings, leading to better adhesion and overall finish Easy to Use: The kit includes all the necessary tools and instructions for conducting dust tape tests according to ISO 8502-3 standards Pass/Fail Testing: Provides a clear indication of whether the surface meets the required cleanliness level Provides Documentation: Includes report forms to record test results, creating a permanent record for quality control purposes Portable and Versatile: Suitable for both field and laboratory use, making it a practical solution for various applications Complies with Standards: Conforms to international and military cleanliness standards like ISO 8502-3, AS 3894.6, and US Navy PPI 63101-000 Detailed Analysis: The included illuminated magnifier and dust test comparator enable easy and accurate assessment of dust particle size and quantity	Applies Consistent Force: Ensures accurate dust tape tests by applying consistent pressure as recommended by ISO 8502-3 standards Improves Accuracy: Consistent pressure leads to more reliable assessment of dust particle size and quantity on a cleaned surface Complies with Standards: Helps you adhere to international and military cleanliness standards like ISO 8502-3, AS 3894.6, and US Navy PPI 63101-000	Ensures Coating Adhesion: Helps guarantee a clean surface before painting, leading to better adhesion and a longer-lasting finish Field-Ready: Portable and includes all necessary tools for on-site testing according to ISO 8502-3 standards Pass/Fail Results: Provides clear and easy-to-interpret results, indicating if the surface meets the required cleanliness level Detailed Analysis: Includes an illuminated magnifier and comparator for accurate assessment of dust particle size and quantity Organized Documentation: Sturdy binder keeps all components organized and includes standardized report forms for recording test results User-Friendly: Pictorial instruction manual ensures even first-time users can conduct tests effectively Complete Kit: Contains everything you need to perform dust tape tests, including tape, scissors, sample transfer sheet, and comparator display board
Disadvantages	The tape doesn’t remove any coating material, so deeply embedded contaminants might be missed	Not essential for basic testing	The tape doesn’t remove any coating material, so deeply embedded contaminants might be missed

Checking for salts in blasting abrasive

Using Chlor-Test Ki Using Chlor-Test Kit

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It is very important to assess the chloride ion (salt) levels in your blast abrasive before blasting. A high salt level can pollute the surface that was blasted and result in premature coating failure and/or rusting. Testing the salt levels will allow you to steer clear from having to blast the surface again or even having to completely re-do the entire project.

Testing for salt:

We offer an abrasive Chloride Test Kit that can be used with common abrasive blast media. The test kit only takes minutes to complete and will assure you that you will not be introducing salt onto the surface.

How to perform Chlor*Test Chloride Test:

Get a sample of the abrasive into the empty sample dish that is provided
Level off the sample
Pour sample into the extraction fluid
Shake abrasive and extraction fluid combination for two minutes in closed container
Let settle for 5 minutes
Snap off both ends of the titrator tube
Place rubber camp on top end of titrator tube to help suck up fluid
Wait until fluid gets to the top
Easily read the chloride level

Chloride Field Testing demonstration

This video demonstrates the 3 types of chloride testing:

ISO 11127-6 Water Soluble Contaminant test (starts at 00:55)
ISO 8502-6 Method of Extraction from the Substrate and ISO 8502-9 for Method of Measurement (starts at 04:33)
ISO 8502-15 Chloride Ion Specific test (starts at 07:47)

Why use surface contamination kits?

Achieve optimal coating adhesion and longevity on abrasive-cleaned steel with effective contamination testing. Abrasive blasting, while removing old coatings and prepping the surface for better bonding, can introduce dust, grease, and other contaminants. These hidden enemies can compromise the performance of your protective coating system.

Surface contamination with salts drastically reduces the ability of a coating to adhere to a substrate. It can also be a starting point for corrosion underneath a coating. Most liquid-applied coatings have a certain amount of permeability and if water can get through to the substrate it reacts with salt to create corrosion. Using a surface contamination kit permits the detection of salts prior to painting. Contaminated surfaces will require washing down with fresh water to wash off any salts. Proprietary solutions are available for mixing with fresh water to improve the end result of the washing process.

What is Salt Contamination Testing?

A salt contamination test, as described by standards such as ISO 8502-6 and ISO 8502-9, is used to extract water soluble salts from a blasted steel substrate and determine their concentration. If within acceptable levels, no further action is generally required. If not within acceptable levels, cleaning methods (water/steam/alkaline cleaning) may be used, as detailed in ISO 12944-4.

Important considerations when choosing the right surface contamination analysis kit

There are two choices to be made when selecting a chlorides test – upfront investment or ongoing consumables cost and legacy systems or current generation systems.

Some systems, such as the DeFelsko SST, have more reusable components than others but require a higher upfront investment. Others such as the ChlorTest are largely comprised of disposable components. Your choice is between an upfront capex expenditure (and lower operating costs) or lower upfront costs and ongoing consumables cost.

You may have been using the same testing systems for years and getting satisfactory results or you may like to try the new generation of testing systems. The choice is yours – stick with what you know and are comfortable with or improve your process with the latest systems.

Common set-backs with chloride analysis kits

Some older systems have more steps and are more awkward to use
Consumables cost with some systems
Investment required for systems that have limited ongoing consumables cost

What is the Bresle Method?

The Bresle method offers a reliable way to detect and measure soluble salts on steel surfaces, a critical step for ensuring successful coating adhesion.

Here’s how this surface extraction method works:

Targeted Extraction: A specialized patch containing purified water is placed on the steel surface.
Salt Dissolution: The water dissolves any soluble salts present, increasing its electrical conductivity.
Conductivity Measurement: A conductivity meter, such as the PosiTector SST, precisely measures this increase, revealing the concentration of dissolved salts.

DeFelsko Bresle Method Patch Options

PosiPatch

Reusable Bresle patch with Standard or Flexible magnetic ring—lowest per test cost

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DeFelsko Adhesive Patch

Self-adhesive, polyurethane Bresle Test patches

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Latex Adhesive Patch

Latex Bresle Test patch with easy-open tabs and low-tack adhesive for easy removal

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How to Perform the Bresle Method?

The Bresle method salt contamination test is performed in 3 easy steps when using the PosiTector SST.

1. Reference

2. Sample

3. Record

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Frequently Asked Questions

The complete ChlorTest kit also includes tests for sulfates and nitrates. What are they? What sort of problems do they cause? How common are they?

Sulfates are produced by natural sources and are generated from stack gas and diesel emissions (oxidized from sulfur dioxide) and nitrates from diesel and auto emissions (oxidized from nitrous oxide). They convert to weak sulfuric and nitric acid in the atmosphere, when in contact with moisture. They are deposited on surfaces as acid rain. Chlorine and sulfuric acid are the two most widely produced and used chemicals in the world.

Nitrogen fertilizers, in their manufacture, transport, use and runoff, result in oxidized nitrates, another salt, which is corrosive on metallic surfaces. Even without human intervention, nitrogen is in a constant cycle, alternating between soil and atmosphere. Nitrogen is constantly available in the atmosphere for deposition, and lightning readily converts atmospheric nitrogen to nitrogen oxides,which can form nitric acid. These salts act in the same way as sodium chloride (common salt) to cause corrosion. While not as prevalent a problem chloride contamination, they can be a real problem in specific environments e.g. fertilizer plant.
What consumables are used in chloride testing systems?

For ChlorTest and SCAT tests, the entire kit is single use – both sampling and testing components. For the DeFelsko SST system the adhesive patches are single use (the PosiPatch is reusable), the needle tips, all other components are single use.
Can Chloride tests be performed on vertical and horizontal surfaces and overhead?

Adhesive patch systems can be used in any of these situations, however, the swab method can only reliably be used on horizontal surfaces.
At how low a concentration level of chlorides can these tests detect contamination?

The ChlorTest can test as low as 5 parts per million (ppm), the Scat test 40 ppm and the DeFelsko SST, as low as 1 ppm. Measuring the chloride contamination of a surface is performed at very low concentrations, therefore the lower the detection capabilities the more accurate the result.

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Salt, Dust, Chloride Contamination Buying Guide