After a protective coating has been applied, it is important to ensure there are no defects or discontinuities present that expose the substrate beneath. Small areas of thin or missing coating, called 'pinholes' or 'holidays', can become foci for corrosion and drastically reduce the life of a protective coating system. A pinhole or holiday detector is a non-destructive instrument used for detecting discontinuities in a coating system including holidays, pinholes, and cracks. Other names include porosity detector, continuity tester, holiday tester, spark tester, and jeep meter.
DeFelsko offers two types of porosity/pinhole detectors: low voltage (wet sponge tester) and high voltage (spark tester). Low voltage detectors, like the PosiTest LPD, are typically used on paint systems less than 500 µm (20 mils) thick. High voltage holiday testers, like the PosiTest HHD operate at voltages up to 35,000 V and are typically used on coatings at least 200 µm (8 mils) thick.
For more information about pinhole, porosity, and holiday detection, see below:
The PosiTest LPD Low voltage Pinhole Detector uses wet sponge to detect holidays, pinholes, and other discontinuities on metal and concrete substrates with four regulated voltage output options for coatings up to 500 µm (20 mils).
Conforms to ISO 14654/29601/8289-A, ASTM G62/G6/D5162, BS7793-2, NACE TM0384, SP0188, AS3894.2, JIS K 6766
The PosiTest HHD High voltage Holiday Detector uses pulse DC technology to detect holidays, pinholes, and other discontinuities on metal and concrete substrates. User adjustable voltage range from 0.5 to 35 kV.
Conforms to ASTM D4787/D5162/D6747/D7953/G62, ISO 29601, NACE SP0188/SP0274/SP0490, AS3894.1
The PosiTest HHD C High voltage Holiday Detector uses continuous DC technology to detect holidays, pinholes, and other discontinuities on metal and concrete substrates. User adjustable voltage range from 0.5 to 30 kV.
Conforms to ASTM D4787/D5162/D6747/D7953/G62, ISO 29601, NACE SP0188/SP0274/SP0490, AS3894.1
A holiday—pinhole, flaw, void, crack—is a discontinuity within a coating system where a small area of thin or missing coating exposes the substrate to the environment.
Due to a variety of potential errors in the application of a new protective coating, flaws—or holidays—can form. They can be invisible to the naked eye and are near-impossible to detect without proper instrumentation.
Holiday detection is a necessary step in identifying these areas of thin or missing coating. Porosity detectors are often used in applications where corrosion is difficult to monitor, or in aggressive service environments such as buried pipelines where performance of the protective coating is critical.
Outlined by standards organizations like AMPP (NACE), ASTM, and ISO, a holiday detector uses a charged electrode passed over a coating. When a holiday is encountered, current flows from the electrode into the conductive substrate below. The current returns to the detector through a ground wire, completing the circuit and triggering an alarm, alerting the inspector to the defect.
A wet sponge tester is another name for Low voltage Pinhole Detectors like the PosiTest LPD. By using a wet sponge to pass current through a grounded part, flaws and pinholes in the coating can be identified. They are typically used on paint systems less than 500 µm (20 mils) thick.
A holiday detector (porosity detector, continuity detector/tester, holiday tester) like the PosiTest HHD, is a non-destructive inspection instrument used for detecting discontinuities in a coating system, including holiday, pinholes, and cracks.
Pinhole and holiday testing can be performed with a variety of equipment designed to pass an electrical charge over a paint or coating system to detect flaws and defects (pinholes and holidays). With a wide range of designs and form factors available, depending on the manufacturer and specifics of the job requiring holiday testing.
There are three main types of Pinhole/Holiday Detectors:
Low voltage Pinhole Detectors, such as the PosiTest LPD use a wet sponge to detect pinholes in coatings less than 500 microns (20 mils).
High voltage Pulse Holiday Detectors, such as the PosiTest HHD use pulse DC and either a spring or brush electrode to detect holidays in coatings greater than 200 µm (8 mils) thick. By using multiple pulses of high voltage every second, the unit is able to:
High voltage Continuous Holiday Detectors, such as the PosiTest HHD C use continuous DC and either a spring or brush electrode to detect holidays in coatings. They operate at the same voltage range as High voltage Pulse holiday detectors, and have the benefits of being light, compact, one-handed instruments. Unlike some continuous DC models, the PosiTest HHD C doesn't require a separate shoulder battery bag. The powerful Li-ion batteries fit neatly within the wand handle reducing weight and eliminating operator fatigue.
The correct instrument will depend on the thickness of the coating being inspected and the specified standard. Both the PosiTest LPD and the PosiTest HHD series work on non-conductive coatings over a conductive substrate (such as steel, aluminum, other metals, and concrete).
The PosiTest LPD has a voltage output of 9–90 V and is suitable for coatings less than 500 microns (20 mils).
The PosiTest HHD uses pulsed DC, has a voltage output of 500–35,000 V and is suitable for coatings greater than 200 µm (8 mils).
The PosiTest HHD C, uses continuous DC, has a voltage output of 500—30,000 V, and is suitable for coatings greater than 200 µm (8 mils).
When the electrode of a Pinhole/Holiday Detector is placed onto the coating, it puts an electrical load on the instrument. The Holiday Tester must compensate for this load by regulating its power output, to ensure that the voltage at the electrode remains at the set voltage. Many older or less expensive Holiday Testers do not have this functionality, meaning that the test voltage at the electrode could differ significantly from the set voltage and lead to invalid test results.
The PosiTest HHD series of High voltage Holiday Detectors and the PosiTest LPD Low voltage Pinhole Detector are factory calibrated and include a Certificate of Calibration traceable to NIST. They feature a built-in voltmeter that constantly monitors the voltage at the electrode. Auto-regulating circuitry inside the porosity detector adjusts the power output to ensure the correct test voltage throughout the measurement process.
To determine the correct voltage setting of the pinhole/holiday detector, consult the coating manufacturer’s technical data sheet and the appropriate standard.
The PosiTest HHD includes a voltage calculator feature—choose from one of 11 international standards, and input the coating thickness as determined by the PosiTector 6000 Coating Thickness Gage to automatically calculate the required test voltage.
The PosiTest HHD C also includes a voltage calculator feature, using an equation from the upcoming revision of ASTM and NACE standards. Simply enter the coating thickness as determined by the PosiTector 6000 Coating Thickness Gage to automatically calculate the required test voltage.
There are many possible causes of porosity or holidays in a coating system. Some of the most common include:
Under-coating — If an insufficient build of coating is applied over a blasted surface, peaks in the substrate can protrude through the coating and remain exposed to the environment. Use a coating thickness gage, such as the PosiTector 6000 to ensure the proper coating thickness.
Over-coating — Due to the way in which a coating cures, with the outermost area drying and shrinking above the wet area below, cracks can form if too much coating is applied.
Improper coating technique – Poor spraying or brushing technique can leave voids or gaps in the coating.
Non-ideal viscosity — A coating with a viscosity that is too low can sag or curtain, resulting in areas of very low coating thickness. A coating with a viscosity that is too high may fail to cover the entire surface, leaving voids.
Introduction of too much air during paint mixing — Coatings with trapped gasses can cause pinholes (bubbling).
Surface preparation — Ensuring that the surface profile meets job specifications can reduce the likelihood that an error in a coating formulation/application will create a holiday.
Surface contamination — Grease, dirt, or other contaminants such as salt can repel a coating and prevent it from adhering to the contaminated area. Ensure the surface is adequately cleaned and free of salt contamination (PosiTector SST Soluble Salt Tester).
Environmental factors — Application of a coating under less than ideal environmental conditions, particularly when the dew point is within 3°C (5°F) of the substrate temperature, increases the chances of holidays forming. Use a PosiTector DPM Dew Point Meter to ensure proper environmental conditions.
