80 YEARS · 1946-2026
Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit
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About this product

The Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit (E138-2) provides a quick, low-cost method of measuring surface contaminants before a coating is applied. It is supplied with test strips for pH, iron (ferrous ion), chloride and salt. If a coating is applied to a contaminated surface that has not been properly prepared, it can fail prematurely, leading to costly re-coating and high maintenance, so measuring contaminant levels first protects coating quality and lifetime.

The kit uses the Elcometer 135 Bresle sampler together with the supplied test strips to read contamination from a sample washed off the surface. The pH strips cover 0pH to 14pH to show whether a surface is acid or alkaline; the iron strips read ferrous ion concentration at 3, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500mg/l, an indicator of steel corrosion; and the chloride strips read from 30 micrograms per square centimetre (30ppm) up to 600 micrograms per square centimetre (600ppm), since chloride ions trapped under a coating in the presence of steel and moisture form a corrosion cell that can cause blistering and premature failure.

The Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit is portable, supplied in a lightweight plastic carry case measuring 300 by 220 by 75mm and weighing 2.1kg, and all consumables can be re-ordered and replenished as needed. It can be used in accordance with ISO 8502-6. Used by coatings inspectors and surface preparation contractors in corrosion protection and marine work, it is supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised Elcometer distributor.

Elcometer

Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit

The Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit provides a quick and easy method of measuring surface contaminants. It comes supplied with test strips to measure pH, Iron (ferrous ion), Chloride, and Salt.

  • Portable, supplied in a convenient lightweight, plastic carry case.
  • Low cost & simple method of measuring surface contaminants
  • All items can be re-ordered and replenished as and when required
Indicative price
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Used by inspection teams in
RefiningMarineMiningBridge / civil
Specifications

Specifications

E138-2
Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit
Measuring Range
pH: 0pH to 14pH
Iron: 3,10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500mg/l Fe²
Chloride: 30-600µg/cm² (30ppm) Cl to 600µg/cm² (600ppm) Cl
Dimensions
300 x 220 x 75mm
Weight
2.1kg
What's in the kit

What's in the kit

Chloride Test Strips
Indicate the concentration of chloride ions in the sample solution
Iron Test Strips
Indicate the concentration of ferrous ions in a sample solution
pH Test Strips
Determine if a solution or surface is acid or alkaline in nature
Elcometer 135A Bresle Sampler
Used with various test strips to measure salt, pH, chloride and iron (ferrous ion) concentration
Standards

Standards

ISO
ISO 8502-6
Standard for measuring salt, pH, chloride and iron (ferrous ion) concentration on a test surface
Product Description

Product Description

The Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit, provides a quick and easy method of measuring surface contaminants. It comes supplied with test strips to measure:

  • pH
  • Iron (ferrous ion)
  • Chloride
  • Salt

Measuring the level of contaminants on a surface prior to application of the coating is essential to ensure the quality of the coating, and that its optimum lifetime is achieved. If the coating is applied to a contaminated surface, which is not properly prepared, it could fail prematurely resulting in costly re-coating and high maintenance costs.

By using the Elcometer 135A Bresle Sampler and various test strips supplied, the Elcometer 138/2 Surface Contamination Kit provides a low cost, simple method of measuring the salt, pH, chloride and iron (ferrous ion) concentration on a test surface in accordance with ISO 8502-6.

Chloride Test Strips

Chloride ions on a steel surface increase the probability that corrosion of the steel will take place even if a protective coating is applied. Chloride ions trapped under a coating in the presence of steel and moisture will form a corrosion cell. This corrosion process will result in premature failure of the protective coating and may cause blistering of coatings in immersion service.

The chloride test strips will indicate the concentration of chloride ions in the sample solution and if the area of sample collection and the volume of water is known the concentration can be measured in parts per million or micrograms per millilitre.

Iron Test Strips

Ferrous ions are an indicator of the corrosion of steel as they are formed when the iron oxidises as a result of a corrosion cell formed between the steel and oxygen in the presence of water. The ferrous ion test strips will also indicate the concentration of ferrous ions in a sample solution in the same way as the chloride strips.

pH Test Strips

These strips will determine if a solution or surface is acid or alkaline in nature. Acids form when certain gases are dissolved in water, for example chlorine in water produces hydrochloric acid, carbon dioxide in water produces carbonic acid, sulphur dioxide in water produces sulphuric acid all of which are corrosive to steel.

The presence of these contaminants can either be detected in a solution washed from the surface or by putting a wet ph Test Strip on to the dry surface. pH does not measure the concentration but it does indicate how acidic or alkaline the surface is. Alkaline surfaces are normally associated with either concrete surfaces that are to be coated or steel re-enforcement bars buried in concrete.

Benefits

  • Portable, supplied in a convenient lightweight, plastic carry case.
  • Low cost & simple method of measuring surface contaminants
  • All items can be re-ordered and replenished as and when required

Kit Contents E135--A Elcometer 135C Bresle Test Patch (Box of 50) T13818517 3 x 5ml Syringes T13818518 3 x Needles T13818519 Plastic Beaker, 30ml T99911344 Pure Water, 250ml T13820562 100 x pH Test Strips T13820563 100 x Iron Test Strips T13820564 40 x Chloride Test Strips   Transit Case & User Guide

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Answers

Frequently asked questions

What contaminants does the Elcometer 138/2 measure?

The kit uses supplied test strips to measure pH, ferrous ion (iron), chloride, and salt.

What is the pH measurement range?

The Elcometer 138/2 measures pH from 0 to 14, covering the full range of acidity and alkalinity.

Is the Elcometer 138/2 portable?

Yes. At 2.1 kg and 300 x 220 x 75 mm, the kit is compact for on-site or laboratory use.

Do test strips come with the kit?

Yes, the Elcometer 138/2 comes supplied with test strips for pH, ferrous ion, chloride, and salt.

How does the Elcometer 138/2 measure surface contaminants?

The kit uses test strips to provide a quick and easy method for measuring surface contamination.

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