TECHNICAL STANDARD
ASTM D5162-24
Standard Practice for Discontinuity (Holiday) Testing of Nonconductive Protective Coating on Metallic Substrates
ASTM International
2024
Current
WHAT DOES THIS STANDARD COVER?
Addresses low-voltage wet sponge and high-voltage spark testing for discontinuities in nonconductive protective coatings on metallic substrates.
WHY IS IT RELEVANT?
Supports method selection for holiday testing, with the coating system, thickness and manufacturer guidance determining suitability.
KEY INSPECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Select the method with regard to coating type, thickness and manufacturer guidance.
WHAT THE STANDARD SHOULD NOT BE USED TO ASSUME
Wet-sponge and spark testing are not interchangeable without considering the installed system.
PRACTICAL INSPECTION APPLICATION
Use as a reference when planning discontinuity testing of nonconductive coatings on metallic substrates.
RELATED TECHNICAL STANDARDS
RELATED TECHNICAL TOPICS
holiday testing, wet sponge, spark testing, metallic substrates
RELATED PIL GUIDANCE
Water-soluble salts can remain on steel even after apparently thorough surface preparation. If they are not identified and adequately controlled before coating application, they can contribute to corrosion, osmotic blistering and premature coating failure.
A structured approach to investigating protective coating failure through evidence, testing, sampling and project-record review.
RELATED EXPERTISE
Inspection; Testing & Analysis
ABOUT THIS TECHNICAL SUMMARY
Paint Inspection Ltd provides this information to help inspectors, engineers, asset owners and contractors understand the practical relevance of commonly referenced protective coatings standards. This page is PIL technical guidance and does not reproduce or replace the published standard. Users should refer to the current published standard, project specification, coating manufacturer requirements and other applicable contract documents when establishing project requirements or acceptance criteria.
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Ask the PIL Technical Assistant about this standard and related coating inspection topics.
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OFFICIAL STANDARD
PIL technical summaries are intended to explain the inspection relevance of industry standards and do not replace the published document.
STATUS AND SOURCE VERIFICATION
Publisher metadata checked on 4 Nov 2026; scope recorded from the official publisher reference. PIL technical review pending.