AMPP CIP Level 1 – Basic Coating Inspector | Exam Questions & Verified Answers

Description: This file provides complete exam questions and correct answers for the AMPP Coating Inspector Program (CIP) Level 1. It covers corrosion fundamentals, protective coatings, surface preparation standards, environmental factors, and inspection techniques. Designed for exam readiness, it offers a comprehensive study tool aligned with AMPP/NACE standards. What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)? - answerChemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. What are solvents? - answerSubstances that dissolve other substances to form a solution. Why can solvents in coatings be harmful? - answerBecause they can release VOCs into the air. What are some examples of solvents used in coatings? - answerAcetone, toluene, xylene, and ethyl acetate. What are three commonly used galvanic anodes for carbon steel? - answerZinc, Aluminum, and Magnesium What is the effect of temperature on corrosion rate? - answerDecrease in temperature decreases corrosion rate. What is an electrolyte? - answerA medium that carries ionic current. What is sacrificial coating? - answerA type of coating that becomes the anode of an electrochemical cell. What is the role of binders in coating? - answerBinders form a stable film that retains its properties. What is a barrier coating? - answerA coating that interrupts the electrolyte of an electrochemical cell. What are two environments most susceptible to corrosion? - answerMarine Environment, Chemical with High Humidity Environment What is the direction of electron flow in an oxidation reaction? - answerFrom the anode to the cathode through the metallic path. What is the role of binders? - answerBinders bonds pigments together and adhere to surface. What are solvents? - answerSolvents are liquids that dissolve the solid resins. What is the purpose of pigments? - answerPigments hide the substrates, provide decorative color, and enhance desired properties. What are additives? - answerAdditives are special purpose ingredients used to enhance the performance. What are vehicles? - answerVehicles are the liquid portions of the coating. What is corrosion? - answerDeterioration of metal or alloy due to electrochemical reaction. What is passivation? - answerLayer of oxides on metal surface for corrosion protection. Give an example of a metal that undergoes passivation. - answerStainless steel What is an anode? - answerThe electrode where oxidation occurs. What is a cathode? - answerThe electrode where reduction occurs. What is a metallic pathway? - answerThe conductive path for electrons to flow. What are electrolytes? - answerSubstances that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. What is the function of an electrolyte in corrosion? - answerAllows passage of ions in corrosion cell. What is the function of a metallic pathway in corrosion? - answerAllows flow of electrons in corrosion cell. What is the galvanic series? - answerListing of metals in order of reactivity. What is the general rule of the galvanic series? - answerLess noble metal connected to a more noble metal will corrode preferentially. What is localized corrosion? - answerCorrosion that occurs in specific areas. What are the types of localized corrosion? - answerPitting and crevice corrosion. Why is localized corrosion concerning? - answerDamage is concentrated and can lead to structural failure. What is general corrosion? - answerUniform loss of material over entire surface. How does general corrosion affect the surface? - answerResults in general thinning of affected surface. Is general corrosion easy to inspect? - answerYes, it is relatively easy to inspect. Does general corrosion cause catastrophic failure? - answerNo, it does not cause catastrophic failure. What is inorganic convertible thermosetting? - answerCoating that undergoes irreversible chemical changes upon curing. What is inorganic non-convertible thermoplastic? - answerCoating that softens upon heating and hardens upon cooling. What are the primary components of a liquid applied coating? - answerPigments and Vehicle (Resin or Binder and Solvent) What is a sacrificial coating system? - answerA coating system where a more active metal is applied over a less active metal to act as an anode and protect the underlying metal. Why is inorganic zinc commonly used as a sacrificial coating over mild steel? - answerZinc is more active than steel, so it becomes the anode and protects the steel from corrosion. What is the purpose of a barrier coating? - answerTo create a physical barrier between the metal surface and the corrosive environment, preventing direct contact and corrosion. What is an inhibitive coating? - answerA coating that releases corrosion inhibitors to slow down or prevent corrosion on the metal surface. How does a sacrificial coating provide corrosion control? - answerBy using a more active metal as the coating, it sacrificially corrodes instead of the underlying metal, protecting it from corrosion. What does a well-written coating specification provide? - answerClear understanding of project expectations. Where can an inspector find the procedure for mixing a specified coating? - answerProduct data sheet (PDS). What is a product data sheet (PDS)? - answerDocument from manufacturers with valuable product information. What information does a safety data sheet (SDS) provide? - answerChemical hazards and safety precautions. What does a specification document tell the contractor? - answerWhat and where to do, not how to do it. What is a standard? - answerFormal document providing guidance for technical procedures. What is an Inspection Test Plan (ITP)? - answerQuality control tool for ensuring specified requirements are met. What is surface temperature? - answerTemperature of the surface being coated. How does temperature affect solvents? - answerAffects evaporation time and curing rates, leading to defects. What is the minimum and maximum surface temperature for coating? - answerMinimum: 40°F (5°C), Maximum: 125°F (40°C). What should be the substrate temperature for coating application? - answerAt least 3°C or 5°F above the dew point temperature. What are the effects of high air temperature? - answerShorter pot life, shorter induction time, and lower viscosity. What are the effects of high air temperature? - answerLonger cure time, reduced re-coat window, potential re-rusting, and wrinkling of the coating. What are the effects of low air temperature? - answerLonger pot life, longer induction time, and higher viscosity. What are the effects of low air temperature? - answerAmine blush (bloom) and adhesion issues. What is Relative Humidity (RH)? - answerAmount of water vapor in the air compared to maximum. What is Saturation? - answerWhen air contains maximum moisture and condensation forms. How does high RH affect coating application? - answerCauses solvent entrapment and blistering. What is the recommended RH to prevent moisture on the surface? - answerBelow 85%. What is the recommended RH to prevent corrosion? - answerBelow 40%. What does RH stand for? - answerRelative Humidity How is Relative Humidity calculated? - answer(amount of water vapor/maximum amount of water vapor air can hold) x 100 What is dew point? - answerTemperature at which air becomes saturated with water. How does moisture affect the curing process? - answerIt can interfere with the curing process. What is the difference between Dew Point and Surface Temperature represented by? - answerThe Greek letter, Delta. What is flash rusting? - answerRusting caused by high humidity or low surface temperatures. How does high air temperature affect mixing and thinning paint? - answerIt reduces induction time, pot life, and re-coat window. What is dry spray? - answerWhen coating dries too quickly during spraying. What are the causes of dry spray? - answerRapid solvent evaporation, high air pressure, or wind. How does low surface temperature affect curing? - answerIt slows down curing and affects the re-coat window. What happens when the RH is too high during curing? - answerIt causes slow evaporation of solvents. What is surface profile? - answerMaximum peak and valley depth on a surface. What is surface profile also referred to as? - answerAnchor profile. Why is it nearly impossible to determine the surface profile once the primer is applied? - answerThe primer covers the surface profile. What is SSPC-SP 16? - answerBrush-off Blast Cleaning of Coated and Uncoated Galvanized Steel, Stainless Steels, and Non-ferrous Metals. What is SSPC-SP 17? - answerThorough Abrasive Blast Cleaning of Non-Ferrous Metals or Stainless Steel. What is an advantage of using grit abrasive for blasting? - answerSimultaneous creation of angular surface profile suitable for adhesion. What is ASTM D6386? - answerStandard Practice for Preparation of Zinc Coated Iron and Steel Product and Hardware Surfaces for Painting. Why do oil based coatings perform poorly on galvanized or zinc-coated surfaces? - answerDue to a reaction called saponification. What is saponification? - answerA formation of soap that causes degradation of the oil-based binder and loss of coating adhesion. What are some examples of oil-based coatings? - answerAlkyds or epoxy esters. What is ASTM D1730? - answerStandard Practices for Preparation of Aluminum-Alloy Surfaces for Painting. What is ASTM D1730 Type A? - answerSolvent Cleaning. What is ASTM D1730 Type B? - answerChemical Treatment. What is ASTM D1730 Type C? - answerAnodic Treatment. What is ASTM D1730 Type D? - answerMechanical Treatment. What is passivation? - answerMetal becoming passive, less susceptible to corrosion. What is a passivator? - answerCorrosion inhibitor that reduces corrosion rate of metal. What is ISO 8501-1? - answerPictorial standard combining hand/power tool cleaning and