Stumble and Fall

Coming to the end of the year, contemplating on what is happing in the world of CUI, I felt the urge to share some of my thoughts.

In recent years I’ve seen a lot of developments and improvements in insulation materials with regards to CUI. On the other hand, the coating market has also come up with new generations of coating and has developed ISO 19227 which engineers can use in choosing fit for purpose coatings. Positive developments, which I’m certain will bring more awareness and increase the technical knowledge in the long term.

Having said that, the consensus still remains that CUI occurs under every type of insulation material. As long as there’s a crevice between insulation material and the substrate, and moisture water will eventual ingress and accumulate in this crevice, this situation will lead to shorter coating lifespan and eventually to CUI.

EFC, NACE & CINI, in my opinion the authorities in this field, still underwrite the system approach. However, the insulation branch hasn’t come up yet with general accepted test procedures. In my experience insulation manufacturers, for obvious reasons are not eager to step up to this. Because, regardless the insulation product you will choice, CUI can always happen. Therefore in my believe asset-owners and operators should pick up the glove and should bind forces with independent organizations like CINI, Eiif, NCTI and develop such test standards.

And hopefully bring an end to all of these discussions with no end, where in people stumble and fall over each other, trying to convince their product is the best of the best.

What I see, is an insulation branch on the right track, but with still a long way of learning and improving ahead.

With this in mind, I wish you all a good and above all healthy 2020!