BACKER ROD - An extruded foam rod that is typically placed in joints that are deeper than _” (12.5 mm) to fill in some of the space before the sealant is applied. Foam backer rods come in a variety of diameters, ranging from 1/8” (3 mm) to _” (20mm).
BALLAST - Any solid or liquid weight placed in a ship to increase the draught to change the trim or to regulate stability
BALLAST TANK - A watertight compartment to hold ballast water
BANANA GAGE - An elongated type of magnetic dry film thickness gage with a handle at one end and the probe at the other end. Between the handle and the probe is a positioning base and a thickness display dial.
BARCOL HARDNESS - Hardness value obtained by measuring the resistance to penetration of a sharp steel point under a spring load. The instrument, called the Barcol Impressor, gives a direct reading on a 0- I 00 scale. The hardness value is often used as a measure of the degree of cure of plastics; not suitable for paints. Ibis standard test method is defined in ASTM D 2583.
BARGE - A flat-bottomed vessel for carrying cargo
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE - Atmospheric pressure, referenced in the US Weather Bureau Psychrometric Tables. Used to aid in the determination of relative humidity and dew point, based on the dry and wet bulb readings from the psychrometer.
BARRIER COAT - (1) A coating or coating system that protects an underlying substrate by minimizing or eliminating the penetration of moisture or vapors. (2) A coating used to separate a layer of paint from a surface to prevent chemical or physical interaction.
BERTH - Where a ship is tied up or docked
BETWEEN DECKS - The space between two adjacent decks
BEVEL - The angle between the flanges of a frame or other member of the structure. When greater than a right angle, open bevel; when less, closed
BINDER - (1) A component of paint that “binds” the pigment particles into a uniform, continuous paint film, and makes the paint adhere to the surface. The nature and amount of binder helps determine most of the paint's performance properties-washability, toughness, adhesion, color retention, and durability. (2) In caulk, a component that “binds” the pigment particles into a homogeneous compound and makes the caulk adhere to the surface. Caulk's main performance properties - durability, adhesion, and flexibility at low temperatures - are determined by the binder.
BIOCIDE - A biologically active paint and caulk additive designed to keep bacteria from spoiling the paint or caulk during storage; or to keep mildew from growing on the applied paint.
BITUMINOUS COATING - A coal tar or asphalt based coating material usually used in thick films.
BLACK LIGHT - Popular term for ultraviolet (UV) radiation without any visible radiation. Syn
BLAST POT - A container that holds abrasive material until it is mixed with compressed air in air abrasive blast cleaning systems.
BLASTING PRESSURE - The pressure, usually expressed in pounds per square inch (PSI) or kilopascals (kPa), of an air and abrasive mixture as it passes through the nozzle of an abrasive blasting system.
BLEACH SOLUTION - A water solution of sodium hypochlorite, often called household bleach. It is a disinfectant and mildewcide used as a surface treatment for removing mildew and bacteria before painting.
BLEACHING - Loss of color, usually caused by exposure to sunlight.
BLEEDING - The migration of material from the substrate, causing discoloration of the paint.
BLISTERING - Formation of dome-shaped projections in paints or varnish films resulting from local loss of adhesion and lifting of the film from an underlying paint film (intercoat blistering) or the base substrate.
BLOCK FILLER - A thick, paint-like material used to smooth out very rough masonry surfaces like cinder block. It is generally brush-applied, then painted.
BLOCK RESISTANCE - The capability of a coating to resist sticking to itself when used on two surfaces that come into contact with each other, e.g. door and jamb; window sash and sill.
BLOWDOWN - The removal of dust from a surface by using a stream of clean compressed air.
BLUSHING - Film defect which appears as a milky opalescence as the film dries; can be a temporary or permanent condition. It is generally caused by rapid evaporation, moisture, or incompatibility.
BOILING POINT - The temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the prevailing pressure of the atmosphere. The normal boiling point is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is 14.7 psia (1 atm).
BONDING - The attachment between a coating film and the underlying material to which it is applied.
BOUNCE BACK - The rebound of atomized paint, especially when applied by conventional air spray methods.
BOXING - Pouring paint from one container into another several times to assure that no unmixed material remains on the bottom and that the paint is uniformly mixed.
BREATHE - The passage of moisture vapor from the substrate through the dry paint film.
BREATHING-TYPE COATING - A coating that is sufficiently permeable to permit transmission of water vapor without detrimental effect to itself.
BRIDGE - Where the ship is navigated from
BRIDGING - The formation of a paint film over a depression.
BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (BTU) - The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree F at or near its point of maximum density (39.1?F).
BRITTLENESS - The lack of resistance to cracking or breaking of a paint film when bent or flexed.
BRUSHOUT - The application of paint on a small surface for testing.
BUBBLING - Film defect, temporary or permanent, in which bubbles of air or solvent vapor, or both, are present in the applied film.
BUG HOLE - Small regular or irregular cavity (also called blow hole), usually not exceeding 15 mm in diameter, resulting from entrapment of air bubbles in the surface of formed concrete during placement and consolidation.
BUILD (OR FILM BUILD) - The thickness that a paint tends to be applied in, when using the normal application technique for that paint.
BULKHEAD - An upright partition or wall separating compartments, as in a ship's hold. A transverse or longitudinal division of a ship
BURNISH - where a paint film has been rubbed to produce a smooth polished finish.
BURNISHING - The formation of shiny areas on a painted surface, as a result of rubbing or washing.
BUTTERWORTH MACHINE - A machine for tank washing and cleaning when required is fitted in opening
BUTTERWORTH OPENING - A circular section of deck plating in cargo tanks of tankers which is used for inserting the portable tank cleaning machines for cleaning of cargo tanks