The underwater coatings division continues to focus on the development of support programs for facilities facing unique coating and corrosion problems in their immersion areas.
Particular emphasis is placed on the service life extension of safety related coatings in commercial nuclear power plants. Toward this end, UCC has upgraded its Underwater Coatings Inspection Program to meet not only the requirements of ASME Section XI, CP 189 VT-1 and VT-3, but special requiments unique to other countries such as Mexico, Japan & China. Careful consideration has been given to ensuring that our programs will aid Licensees in addressing coatings under the NRC’s Maintenance Rule and Generic Letter 98-04.
Repair coatings applied in Service Level I Areas, must be qualified under design-basis accident conditions over the principal coating on which they will be applied. UCC maintains an ongoing test program to ensure the viability of our underwater repair coating on as many existing plant coatings as possible. We just completed another round of testing to qualify underwater repair coatings for use by TVA. Plants that have performed major safety related coatings work in the last five years are encouraged to contact UCC so that we can include your coatings in the upcoming tests.
UCC is also taking a close look at new technologies that may benefit a variety of industry sectors. Preventing infrastructure corrosion and the structural deterioration that usually follows is not a new problem. However, until recently, most efforts have been directed at the more visible problems occurring above the waterline. Several innovative processes developed for use in the dry, show promise in underwater applications. UCC is pursuing industry partners to work with us to develop the tools and processes that will allow useful technologies to be transferred to underwater structures.
Please contact Charlie Vallance for the latest infomration.
ASTM D33 NUCLEAR COATINGS COMMITTEE
ASTM Committee D33 addresses standards that relate to the maintenance of coatings in nuclear power plants. ASTM D33 is working closely with the NRC to update coatings standards for the commercial nuclear power industry. UCC maintians an active role in these proceedings.
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