SSPCNACE

SSPCNACE refers to the set of joint standards published by SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE International for protective coatings and surface-preparation practices. The program develops guidelines intended to standardize methods for surface preparation, coating selection, application, and inspection in corrosion control across industries such as oil and gas, marine, and infrastructure. The standards are used by specifiers, contractors, inspectors, and manufacturers to ensure consistency and compatibility of coatings and surface-technologies.

History and organization: The joint standards program emerged in the 1990s from collaboration between SSPC and NACE in response to industry demand for interoperable criteria. Standards are published as documents with specific reference numbers and are designed to be used together with project specifications. They undergo public review and periodic revision to reflect advances in materials, methods, and testing.

Scope: SSPCNACE standards address surface-cleanliness classes and surface-preparation techniques (abrasive blasting, solvent cleaning, power tool cleaning), film thickness requirements, and coating types. They provide guidance on inspection methods such as dry film thickness measurement and holiday testing, as well as quality control procedures and, in some cases, personnel qualification.

Applications and impact: The standards are widely incorporated into industry specifications, procurement documents, and testing protocols. They help ensure that protective coatings perform as intended and that projects across regions achieve consistent quality. While rooted in North American practice, the SSPCNACE framework influences multinational projects and international coatings practice, promoting interoperability among manufacturers, applicators, and inspectors.