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Surface Contamination Testing Before Coating Application
The Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit provides a portable method for detecting invisible contaminants on prepared surfaces before coatings are applied. Using the Bresle extraction method together with single-use test strips, inspectors can assess pH, chloride ions and ferrous iron contamination directly in the field.
Surface contamination can remain even when a substrate appears visually clean. If salts or other contaminants are trapped beneath a protective coating, they can contribute to premature corrosion, blistering, adhesion problems and early coating failure. Testing before coating application helps verify that the prepared surface is suitable for the next stage of the coating process.
Three Important Surface Contamination Checks
Chloride Contamination
Chloride ions left on steel can increase the risk of corrosion beneath a protective coating. In the presence of moisture, chlorides trapped at the coating-to-steel interface can contribute to the formation of corrosion cells. The supplied chloride strips provide a quick field method of assessing chloride contamination in the solution extracted from the test surface.
Ferrous Iron Contamination
The supplied iron test strips detect ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) in the extracted surface solution. This provides an additional indication of contamination that may be present on the prepared substrate before coating.
Surface pH
Surface acidity or alkalinity can also affect coating performance. The Elcometer 138/2 includes pH strips covering the full 0 to 14 pH range. pH testing does not determine the concentration of a contaminant, but it provides a useful indication of whether the surface condition is acidic, neutral or alkaline.
Uses the Bresle Surface Extraction Method
The Elcometer 138/2 provides the materials required to collect a surface contamination sample in accordance with the Bresle method described in ISO 8502-6. An Elcometer 135C Bresle test patch is attached to the test surface to form a sealed test area. Test liquid is introduced into the patch, allowed to dissolve soluble contaminants present on the surface and then recovered for analysis.
The recovered solution can then be checked using the supplied pH, chloride and iron test strips. This makes the kit particularly useful for on-site inspection of steel and other prepared surfaces where laboratory analysis would be inconvenient.
Simple Field Testing Procedure
- Apply the Bresle test patch to the prepared test surface.
- Introduce the specified test liquid into the sealed patch using the syringe.
- Agitate the liquid within the test area so soluble contaminants are transferred into the solution.
- Recover the solution with the syringe.
- Use the appropriate test strip to assess pH, chloride or ferrous iron contamination.
- Compare the test strip result with its supplied reference scale.
For formal testing, the complete procedure and any project-specific acceptance limits should be followed in accordance with the applicable standard or coating specification.
Key Features
- Portable surface contamination test kit for field use
- Detects contamination that may not be visible during normal surface inspection
- Tests pH, chloride ions and ferrous iron
- Uses the recognized Bresle surface extraction method
- Includes Elcometer 135C Bresle test patches
- Single-use colour comparison strips provide rapid results
- No electronic meter or external power source required
- Suitable for surface preparation and protective coating inspection
- Helps identify contaminants that can contribute to premature coating failure
- Supplied in a portable carrying case
Measurement Ranges
| Test | Measurement Range |
|---|---|
| pH | 0 to 14 pH |
| Iron (Fe²⁺) | 3, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 mg/l |
| Chloride | 30 to 600 µg/cm² (30 to 600 ppm Cl) |
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Elcometer 138/2 |
|---|---|
| Part Number | E138—-2 |
| Product | Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit |
| Test Method | Bresle surface extraction with single-use test strips |
| Parameters | pH, chloride ions and ferrous iron |
| Dimensions | 300 × 220 × 75 mm (11 × 8.6 × 3″) |
| Weight | 2.1 kg (4.62 lb) |
| Power Requirement | None |
Complete Kit Contents
- 100 × pH test strips
- 100 × iron test strips
- 40 × chloride test strips
- 50 × Elcometer 135C Bresle test patches
- 3 × 5 ml (0.17 fl oz) syringes
- 3 × needles
- 30 ml (1 fl oz) plastic beaker
- Carry case
- Operating instructions
Replacement Consumables & Accessories
| Part Number | Description |
|---|---|
| E135—-C25 | Elcometer 135C Bresle Test Patches – Pack of 25 |
| E135—-C100 | Elcometer 135C Bresle Test Patches – Box of 100 |
| T13820562 | pH Test Strips – Pack of 100 |
| T13820563 | Iron Test Strips – Pack of 100 |
| T13820564 | Chloride Test Strips – Pack of 40 |
| T13818517 | 5 ml Syringes – Pack of 3 |
| T13818518 | Needles – Pack of 3 |
| T13818519 | 30 ml Plastic Beaker |
| T13827259 | Pure Distilled Water – 250 ml Bottle |
Test Standards
- AS 3894.6-A
- AS 3894.6-D
- SSPC Guide 15
Q&A
What is the difference between the Elcometer 138/2 and the Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Kit?
The Elcometer 138/2 is a broader surface contamination kit that uses individual test strips to check pH, chloride and ferrous iron. The Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Kit is designed primarily for soluble-salt measurement using an electronic Bresle salt or conductivity meter. The two kits therefore serve related but different inspection requirements.
Does the Elcometer 138/2 directly measure total soluble salt concentration?
The kit extracts soluble surface contamination using the Bresle method and then analyzes the recovered solution with specific pH, chloride and iron test strips. It does not use an electronic conductivity meter to provide a direct total soluble-salt density reading.
Why test a surface if it already looks clean?
Many contaminants that can affect coating life are invisible. Chloride ions and other soluble residues can remain after blasting or cleaning and may contribute to corrosion or coating failure even when the surface appears visually clean.
Can the kit be used directly on a job site?
Yes. The Elcometer 138/2 is specifically suited to portable field inspection. It requires no batteries or electrical supply, and the necessary test patches, strips, syringes and accessories are supplied in a carrying case.
Are the Bresle patches reusable?
No. Bresle test patches are consumable items intended for individual test areas. Replacement Elcometer 135C patches are available in packs of 25 or boxes of 100.
Do the test strips have a shelf life?
Yes. The pH, iron and chloride strips have manufacturer-defined expiry dates. The expiry date should be checked before testing, and expired strips should be replaced to maintain reliable results.
Is this kit suitable for verifying a surface before protective coating application?
Yes. Its primary purpose is to help inspectors assess surface contamination before coating application so that unacceptable contamination can be identified and corrected before it becomes trapped beneath the coating system.
| Technical Specifications – Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit | |
| Part Number | Description |
| E138—-2 | Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit |
| Measurement Range | pH:0pH to 14pH |
| Iron: 3 – 10 – 25 – 50 – 100 – 250 – 500mg/I Fe² | |
| Chloride: 30-600µg/cm² (30ppm) Cl to 600µg/cm² (600ppm) Cl | |
| Dimensions | 300 x 220 x 75mm (11 x 8.6 x 3”) |
| Weight | 2.1kg (4.62lb) |
| Packing List |
|
::::::: SEE ALL ELCOMETER KITS AVAILABLE FOR SALE – SAVE BIG! ::::::
Surface Contamination Testing Before Coating Application
The Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit provides a portable method for detecting invisible contaminants on prepared surfaces before coatings are applied. Using the Bresle extraction method together with single-use test strips, inspectors can assess pH, chloride ions and ferrous iron contamination directly in the field.
Surface contamination can remain even when a substrate appears visually clean. If salts or other contaminants are trapped beneath a protective coating, they can contribute to premature corrosion, blistering, adhesion problems and early coating failure. Testing before coating application helps verify that the prepared surface is suitable for the next stage of the coating process.
Three Important Surface Contamination Checks
Chloride Contamination
Chloride ions left on steel can increase the risk of corrosion beneath a protective coating. In the presence of moisture, chlorides trapped at the coating-to-steel interface can contribute to the formation of corrosion cells. The supplied chloride strips provide a quick field method of assessing chloride contamination in the solution extracted from the test surface.
Ferrous Iron Contamination
The supplied iron test strips detect ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) in the extracted surface solution. This provides an additional indication of contamination that may be present on the prepared substrate before coating.
Surface pH
Surface acidity or alkalinity can also affect coating performance. The Elcometer 138/2 includes pH strips covering the full 0 to 14 pH range. pH testing does not determine the concentration of a contaminant, but it provides a useful indication of whether the surface condition is acidic, neutral or alkaline.
Uses the Bresle Surface Extraction Method
The Elcometer 138/2 provides the materials required to collect a surface contamination sample in accordance with the Bresle method described in ISO 8502-6. An Elcometer 135C Bresle test patch is attached to the test surface to form a sealed test area. Test liquid is introduced into the patch, allowed to dissolve soluble contaminants present on the surface and then recovered for analysis.
The recovered solution can then be checked using the supplied pH, chloride and iron test strips. This makes the kit particularly useful for on-site inspection of steel and other prepared surfaces where laboratory analysis would be inconvenient.
Simple Field Testing Procedure
- Apply the Bresle test patch to the prepared test surface.
- Introduce the specified test liquid into the sealed patch using the syringe.
- Agitate the liquid within the test area so soluble contaminants are transferred into the solution.
- Recover the solution with the syringe.
- Use the appropriate test strip to assess pH, chloride or ferrous iron contamination.
- Compare the test strip result with its supplied reference scale.
For formal testing, the complete procedure and any project-specific acceptance limits should be followed in accordance with the applicable standard or coating specification.
Key Features
- Portable surface contamination test kit for field use
- Detects contamination that may not be visible during normal surface inspection
- Tests pH, chloride ions and ferrous iron
- Uses the recognized Bresle surface extraction method
- Includes Elcometer 135C Bresle test patches
- Single-use colour comparison strips provide rapid results
- No electronic meter or external power source required
- Suitable for surface preparation and protective coating inspection
- Helps identify contaminants that can contribute to premature coating failure
- Supplied in a portable carrying case
Measurement Ranges
| Test | Measurement Range |
|---|---|
| pH | 0 to 14 pH |
| Iron (Fe²⁺) | 3, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 mg/l |
| Chloride | 30 to 600 µg/cm² (30 to 600 ppm Cl) |
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Elcometer 138/2 |
|---|---|
| Part Number | E138—-2 |
| Product | Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit |
| Test Method | Bresle surface extraction with single-use test strips |
| Parameters | pH, chloride ions and ferrous iron |
| Dimensions | 300 × 220 × 75 mm (11 × 8.6 × 3″) |
| Weight | 2.1 kg (4.62 lb) |
| Power Requirement | None |
Complete Kit Contents
- 100 × pH test strips
- 100 × iron test strips
- 40 × chloride test strips
- 50 × Elcometer 135C Bresle test patches
- 3 × 5 ml (0.17 fl oz) syringes
- 3 × needles
- 30 ml (1 fl oz) plastic beaker
- Carry case
- Operating instructions
Replacement Consumables & Accessories
| Part Number | Description |
|---|---|
| E135—-C25 | Elcometer 135C Bresle Test Patches – Pack of 25 |
| E135—-C100 | Elcometer 135C Bresle Test Patches – Box of 100 |
| T13820562 | pH Test Strips – Pack of 100 |
| T13820563 | Iron Test Strips – Pack of 100 |
| T13820564 | Chloride Test Strips – Pack of 40 |
| T13818517 | 5 ml Syringes – Pack of 3 |
| T13818518 | Needles – Pack of 3 |
| T13818519 | 30 ml Plastic Beaker |
| T13827259 | Pure Distilled Water – 250 ml Bottle |
Test Standards
- AS 3894.6-A
- AS 3894.6-D
- SSPC Guide 15
Q&A
What is the difference between the Elcometer 138/2 and the Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Kit?
The Elcometer 138/2 is a broader surface contamination kit that uses individual test strips to check pH, chloride and ferrous iron. The Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Kit is designed primarily for soluble-salt measurement using an electronic Bresle salt or conductivity meter. The two kits therefore serve related but different inspection requirements.
Does the Elcometer 138/2 directly measure total soluble salt concentration?
The kit extracts soluble surface contamination using the Bresle method and then analyzes the recovered solution with specific pH, chloride and iron test strips. It does not use an electronic conductivity meter to provide a direct total soluble-salt density reading.
Why test a surface if it already looks clean?
Many contaminants that can affect coating life are invisible. Chloride ions and other soluble residues can remain after blasting or cleaning and may contribute to corrosion or coating failure even when the surface appears visually clean.
Can the kit be used directly on a job site?
Yes. The Elcometer 138/2 is specifically suited to portable field inspection. It requires no batteries or electrical supply, and the necessary test patches, strips, syringes and accessories are supplied in a carrying case.
Are the Bresle patches reusable?
No. Bresle test patches are consumable items intended for individual test areas. Replacement Elcometer 135C patches are available in packs of 25 or boxes of 100.
Do the test strips have a shelf life?
Yes. The pH, iron and chloride strips have manufacturer-defined expiry dates. The expiry date should be checked before testing, and expired strips should be replaced to maintain reliable results.
Is this kit suitable for verifying a surface before protective coating application?
Yes. Its primary purpose is to help inspectors assess surface contamination before coating application so that unacceptable contamination can be identified and corrected before it becomes trapped beneath the coating system.
| Technical Specifications – Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit | |
| Part Number | Description |
| E138—-2 | Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit |
| Measurement Range | pH:0pH to 14pH |
| Iron: 3 – 10 – 25 – 50 – 100 – 250 – 500mg/I Fe² | |
| Chloride: 30-600µg/cm² (30ppm) Cl to 600µg/cm² (600ppm) Cl | |
| Dimensions | 300 x 220 x 75mm (11 x 8.6 x 3”) |
| Weight | 2.1kg (4.62lb) |
| Packing List |
|
::::::: SEE ALL ELCOMETER KITS AVAILABLE FOR SALE – SAVE BIG! ::::::
