Designation: G 19 – 88 (Reapproved 1996)e1

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Test Method for

Disbonding Characteristics of Pipeline Coatings by Direct
Soil Burial1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G 19; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

e1 NOTE—Keywords were added editorially in June 1996.

1. Scope made to other specimens similarly exposed.

1.1 This test method describes the determination of the 4. Significance and Use
relative disbonding characteristics of damaged coatings on
steel pipe by cathodic protection potentials in direct soil burial. 4.1 Coated pipe is seldom, if ever, buried without some
This test method is intended to apply to the testing of all types damage to the coating. Hence, an actual soil-burial test can
of nonmetallic pipeline coatings and tapes including thermo- contribute significant data, provided the method of testing is
plastics, thermoset, and bituminous materials. controlled and the test specimen monitored and the relationship
1.2 Results may vary widely when test sites are in different between the area disbonded, the current demand, and the mode
geographical areas of the country, and even in different of failure is fully understood.
localities. 4.2 Means are provided for measuring and following the
1.3 This test method is limited to nonconducting, or non- electrical potential and current flow and relating these data to
metallic pipe coatings and is not applicable to conducting the final measurement of disbonded area.
materials such as zinc coatings on steel pipe. 5. Apparatus
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 5.1 Anode—A standard packaged magnesium anode, mini-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- mum 4.082 kg (9 lb), with a factory-sealed, 4107-cmil (14-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- gage Awg) minimum, insulated copper wire shall be used. A
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. solution potential of not less than − 1.45 V with respect to a
1.5 The values stated in SI units to three significant deci- copper-copper sulfate reference electrode is required. Use
mals are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in sufficient anodes to maintain required potential.
parentheses are for information only. 5.2 Connectors—The wiring circuit from anode to test
specimen and from specimen to reference electrode should be
2. Referenced Documents 4107-cmil (14-gage Awg) minimum insulated copper wire.
2.1 ASTM Standards: Attach the wires to the test specimen as shown in Fig. 1 by
G 12 Test Method for Nondestructive Measurement of Film soldering or brazing at the air-exposed end, and coat the place
Thickness of Pipeline Coatings on Steel2 of attachment with insulating material. A junction box is
G 62 Test Methods for Holiday Detection in Pipeline Coat- optional for connecting the resistor in series between the anode
ings2 and the test specimen.
5.3 The instruments used shall include the following:
3. Summary of Test Method 5.3.1 Voltmeter, a suitable instrument such as a high imped-
3.1 Apparatus and materials are described whereby protec- ance (>10mV) analog multimeter having a sensitivity of
tive coatings on steel pipe are subjected to disbonding by an 50 000V/ V minimum and a multiple range from 0.01 to 2 V
electrical stress. Specimens with intentionally damaged areas for direct current is used for measuring the potential between
are buried in soil at an outdoor site and electrically connected specimen and the reference electrode,3 current between speci-
to a magnesium anode. After test, the disbonded coating is men and anode, and the resistance of the circuit. The same
removed, the exposed area measured, and comparisons are instrument shall be used for measuring current between speci-
men and anode. Alligator clips on the leads are permissible.
5.3.2 Volt-Ohm-Meter for measuring resistance of the cir-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-1 on Paint cuit.
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.48 on Durability of Pipeline Coatings and Linings.
Current edition approved May 27, 1988. Published July 1988. Originally
3
published as G 19 –71 T. Last previous edition G 19 – 83. A pipe-to-soil Voltmeter-Ammeter, Agra Engineering Co., Tulsa, Okla., has
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.02. been found suitable for this test.

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 G 19

FIG. 1 Three Specimens in a Circle with a Common Anode

5.3.3 Reference Electrode, consisting of a copper-copper 762 mm (30 in.) apart.

sulfate half cell in a conventional glass or plastic tube with 5.3.5 Thickness Gages, to be used in accordance with Test
porous plug construction, but preferably not over 19.05 mm (3⁄4 Method G 12.
in.) in diameter, having a potential of − 0.316 V with respect to 5.3.6 Holiday Tools—Holidays in the specimen are made
a standard hydrogen electrode. A calomel electrode may be with conventional drills of the required diameter. A9.525-mm
used, but measurements made with it should be converted to (0.375-in.) drill modified by substantially reducing the cone
the copper-copper sulfate reference electrode for reporting, by angle has been found effective in preventing perforation of
adding − 0.092 V to the observed reading. thin-wall pipe or tubing. A sharp-pointed knife with a safe
5.3.4 A suitable instrument is used to measure the soil handle is required for removing disbonded coatings to make
resistivity using the four-pin method.4 Pins should be spaced physical examinations. A micrometer-type depth gage is used
for measuring coating thicknesses at the edge of holidays.
4
A Vibroground instrument, Associated Research Inc., 3758 Belmont Ave., 5.3.7 Holiday Detectors—Selected in accordance with Test
Chicago, Ill., has been found suitable for measuring soil resistivity. Method G 62.

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 G 19
6. Test Specimen 8.2.3 Refill all holes with soil or a soil and water slurry.
6.1 A 1219.2 mm (48-in.) long specimen shall be prepared Firmly tamp the soil so that it is in intimate contact with the
with its surface preparation and coating procedures equivalent specimen and anode. No wood or other foreign material should
to that of production coated pipe. Only holiday-free specimens contact the pipe coating or the anode.
may be used in this test and four samples should be prepared. 8.3 Electrical Measurements:
6.2 Measure the coating thickness of all specimens at four 8.3.1 Determine in several areas the soil resistance in
points 90 deg apart and approximately 355.6 mm (14 in.) from ohm-centimetres by the four-pin method.
each end. 8.3.2 Measure the initial pipe to soil potential with reference
6.3 Cap and seal one end of each specimen. Check the seal to a copper-copper sulfate half cell with the electrode 609.6
for current leakage before and after test by immersion in 1 mm (24 in.) from the pipe as shown in Fig. 1. Record the
weight percent sodium chloride solution for 1⁄2 h. Test with an closed-circuit potentials.
ohmmeter sensitive to at least 1 MV. 8.3.3 Connect the anode lead to one test specimen lead at
6.4 Provide the unsealed end of the pipe with two lengths of the junction box with a 10 V 6 1 % wire-wound resistor
insulated 4107-cmil (14-gage Awg) copper wire as in 5.2. connected in series between the anode and test specimen.
6.5 Make 3 holidays 304.8 mm (12 in.), 457.2 mm (18 in.), 8.3.4 Measure the voltage. E, across the 10-V resistor, R,
and 609.6 mm (24 in.), respectively, from the sealed end of the and convert to current, I as follows:
pipe by drilling holes through the coating so that the drill will I 5 E/R 5 E/10 (1)
fully enter the steel. The center holiday is to face the anode 8.3.5 Measure the polarized potential, in volts with the
with the remaining two holidays facing 180 deg away from the analog multimeter described in 5.3.8 connected between the
anode. The drill diameter may not be less than two times the test specimen and the reference electrode as follows:
coating thickness, and never smaller than 9.525 mm (0.375 in.) 8.3.5.1 Disconnect the anode from the test specimen while
in diameter. Do not perforate the steel wall of the pipe. With closely observing the analog multimeter. As the instrument
thin-wall steel pipe where there is danger of perforating the pointer falls, it will dwell significantly at the polarized value
pipe, start the holiday with a standard 60-deg cone-point drill before receding further. The dwell point is the polarized
and finish with a substantially reduced cone-angle drill. potential.
6.6 To prevent mechanical damage, apply a spiral wrap of 8.3.6 Determine electrical measurements at 30-day intervals
suitable tape from approximately 152.4 mm (6 in.) from the top for a test period of 18 months or longer depending on soil
of the pipe specimen to 457.2 mm (18 in.) from the top. When conditions.
the test specimens are buried, the taped area will extend 152.4
mm above and 152.4 mm below ground. 9. Report
6.7 The specimen test area will consist of the area between 9.1 The report shall include the following information:
the edge of the bottom end seal and the ground level. The 9.1.1 Complete identification of the test specimens, includ-
bottom end-seal area is not considered part of the area tested. ing name and code number of coating, size of the pipe, source,
Any suitable diameter and length of pipe may be used, but the production date, production run number, and any other infor-
buried area should not be less than 23 227.2 mm2 (36 in.2). An mation that may be pertinent to identification.
area of 93 000 mm2 (1 ft2) has been found preferable. 9.1.2 Date of starting and of terminating the test.
9.1.3 Coating thickness of the test specimen before testing.
7. Test Site 9.1.4 After subtracting the initial holiday areas, report the
7.1 Any level location may be used, provided the site will total disbonded area, average disbonded area, and disbonded
not be disturbed for the duration of the test. area at each holiday in square millimetres (square inches) after
8. Procedure testing.
9.1.5 Condition of the pipe surface under the disbonded
8.1 Lay out the test site with stakes so that the anode coating.
location will be the center of a circle as shown in Fig. 1. Locate 9.1.6 Pipe-to-soil potentials, initial readings and at 30-day
the pipe specimens 20° apart around the circumference so that intervals.
the surface of the anode when placed in the center will be 609.6 9.1.7 Current readings between anode and pipe specimens,
mm (24 in.) from the nearest holiday of each specimen equally. initial readings and 30-day intervals.
Three specimens can thus be protected by one anode. 9.1.8 Soil resistivity readings in ohm-centimetres.
8.2 Installation of Test Specimens: 9.1.9 Polarized potentials, initial readings and 30-day inter-
8.2.1 Dig suitable holes with an auger or posthole digger to vals.
accommodate the anode and test specimens at the test site.
8.2.2 Insert the anode at the center of the circle. The center 10. Precision
of the anode should be 457.2 mm (18 in.) below ground. Pipe 10.1 Precision data are limited to two adjacent specimens
specimens should be inserted so that 304.8 mm (12 in.) are taken from the same production-coated pipe, assuming that the
above the ground level, and oriented so that the single production process was uniform with respect to pipe surface
intentional holiday faces the anode and the remaining two condition and coating material. Specimens that were not
holidays are 180° away from the anode. Maintain a distance of adjacent in the as-produced condition, or were taken from
609.6 mm (24 in.) between the surface of the anode and the different lengths of pipe may represent differing process
nearest specimen and holiday. conditions.

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 G 19
11. Keywords
11.1 cathodic disbonding; pipeline coatings; soil burial

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