PROTECTIVE COATING SPECIALIST EXAM
QUESTIONS AND WELL EXPLAINED ACCU
RATE ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the primary function of a protective coating?
A. Aesthetic enhancement
B. Corrosion prevention
C. Weight reduction
D. Heat insulation
VERIFIED ANS : B – Corrosion prevention
EXPLANATION : While coatings can improve appearance, their main function
in industrial settings is to protect substrates (usually metals) from corrosion
and degradation.
2. The most critical step in ensuring coating performance is:
A. Coating selection
B. Surface preparation
C. Curing time
D. Paint mixing
VERIFIED ANS : B – Surface preparation
EXPLANATION : Poor surface prep is the leading cause of coating failures.
SSPC- SP and ISO standards detail surface cleanliness and profile requirements.
3. According to SSPC standards, SP-10 refers to:
A. Near-white metal blast cleaning
B. Commercial blast cleaning
C. Brush-off blast cleaning
D. White metal blast cleaning
VERIFIED ANS : A – Near-white metal blast cleaning
EXPLANATION : SSPC-SP 10 achieves nearly all surface contaminants removed,
,leaving no more than 5% staining.
,4. Which coating type typically provides the best chemical resistance?
A. Alkyd
B. Epoxy
C. Acrylic
D. Vinyl
VERIFIED ANS : B – Epoxy
EXPLANATION : Epoxies are highly resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and
immersion conditions, making them common in marine and chemical plant
applications.
5. The profile height for most protective coating systems is typically:
A. 0.5–1 mils
B. 1–2 mils
C. 2–4 mils
D. 5–8 mils
VERIFIED ANS : C – 2–4 mils
EXPLANATION : This range is common for achieving proper coating adhesion
without excessive coating consumption.
6. In coating inspection, a holiday is:
A. A scheduled shutdown
B. A gap or pinhole in coating film
C. A curing delay
D. A surface profile peak
VERIFIED ANS : B – A gap or pinhole in coating film
EXPLANATION : Holidays are coating discontinuities that can lead to corrosion;
detected using holiday detectors.
7. Which organization provides PCS certification?
A. ASTM
B. NACE International (AMPP)
C. SSPC only
D. OSHA
, VERIFIED ANS : B – NACE International (now AMPP)
EXPLANATION : The PCS credential is issued by AMPP (Association for
Materials Protection and Performance), formed by the merger of NACE and
SSPC.
8. The primary cause of coating chalking is:
A. Chemical attack
B. Ultraviolet degradation
C. High humidity
D. Poor mixing
VERIFIED ANS : B – Ultraviolet degradation
EXPLANATION : UV light breaks down resin binders, causing pigment particles
to become loose and form chalk-like deposits.
9. Which is the best method to verify surface profile after blasting?
A. Visual observation
B. Replica tape
C. Micrometer
D. Gloss meter
VERIFIED ANS : B – Replica tape
EXPLANATION : Replica tape captures the peak-to-valley profile, which can be
measured with a micrometer to verify compliance.
10. Which type of coating is best for high-temperature service above 400°F
(204°C)?
A. Epoxy
B. Phenolic
C. Silicone
D. Polyurethane
VERIFIED ANS : C – Silicone
EXPLANATION : Silicone-based coatings can withstand very high temperatures
without losing adhesion or degrading.
11. What does the term "DFT" stand for in coatings?
A. Dry Film Thickness
B. Drying Film Time
QUESTIONS AND WELL EXPLAINED ACCU
RATE ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the primary function of a protective coating?
A. Aesthetic enhancement
B. Corrosion prevention
C. Weight reduction
D. Heat insulation
VERIFIED ANS : B – Corrosion prevention
EXPLANATION : While coatings can improve appearance, their main function
in industrial settings is to protect substrates (usually metals) from corrosion
and degradation.
2. The most critical step in ensuring coating performance is:
A. Coating selection
B. Surface preparation
C. Curing time
D. Paint mixing
VERIFIED ANS : B – Surface preparation
EXPLANATION : Poor surface prep is the leading cause of coating failures.
SSPC- SP and ISO standards detail surface cleanliness and profile requirements.
3. According to SSPC standards, SP-10 refers to:
A. Near-white metal blast cleaning
B. Commercial blast cleaning
C. Brush-off blast cleaning
D. White metal blast cleaning
VERIFIED ANS : A – Near-white metal blast cleaning
EXPLANATION : SSPC-SP 10 achieves nearly all surface contaminants removed,
,leaving no more than 5% staining.
,4. Which coating type typically provides the best chemical resistance?
A. Alkyd
B. Epoxy
C. Acrylic
D. Vinyl
VERIFIED ANS : B – Epoxy
EXPLANATION : Epoxies are highly resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and
immersion conditions, making them common in marine and chemical plant
applications.
5. The profile height for most protective coating systems is typically:
A. 0.5–1 mils
B. 1–2 mils
C. 2–4 mils
D. 5–8 mils
VERIFIED ANS : C – 2–4 mils
EXPLANATION : This range is common for achieving proper coating adhesion
without excessive coating consumption.
6. In coating inspection, a holiday is:
A. A scheduled shutdown
B. A gap or pinhole in coating film
C. A curing delay
D. A surface profile peak
VERIFIED ANS : B – A gap or pinhole in coating film
EXPLANATION : Holidays are coating discontinuities that can lead to corrosion;
detected using holiday detectors.
7. Which organization provides PCS certification?
A. ASTM
B. NACE International (AMPP)
C. SSPC only
D. OSHA
, VERIFIED ANS : B – NACE International (now AMPP)
EXPLANATION : The PCS credential is issued by AMPP (Association for
Materials Protection and Performance), formed by the merger of NACE and
SSPC.
8. The primary cause of coating chalking is:
A. Chemical attack
B. Ultraviolet degradation
C. High humidity
D. Poor mixing
VERIFIED ANS : B – Ultraviolet degradation
EXPLANATION : UV light breaks down resin binders, causing pigment particles
to become loose and form chalk-like deposits.
9. Which is the best method to verify surface profile after blasting?
A. Visual observation
B. Replica tape
C. Micrometer
D. Gloss meter
VERIFIED ANS : B – Replica tape
EXPLANATION : Replica tape captures the peak-to-valley profile, which can be
measured with a micrometer to verify compliance.
10. Which type of coating is best for high-temperature service above 400°F
(204°C)?
A. Epoxy
B. Phenolic
C. Silicone
D. Polyurethane
VERIFIED ANS : C – Silicone
EXPLANATION : Silicone-based coatings can withstand very high temperatures
without losing adhesion or degrading.
11. What does the term "DFT" stand for in coatings?
A. Dry Film Thickness
B. Drying Film Time
