Which coating failure is often overlooked during visual inspections?

Film lifting is often overlooked during visual inspections because it may not always be readily apparent to the inspector. This type of coating failure occurs when the film of the coating begins to separate from the substrate, which can be subtle, especially if there is no significant deformation or cracking associated with it. It often manifests as small areas where the film is not fully adhered, which might only become obvious under certain lighting conditions or under closer inspection.

In a routine visual inspection, inspectors may focus on more obvious forms of coating failures such as blistering, peeling, or discoloration. Blistering indicates gas or moisture trapped beneath the surface, peeling shows that the coating has entirely lost its adhesion, and discoloration may signal chemical reactions or degradation. These types of issues typically present clear visual cues that draw attention. In contrast, film lifting might be easily missed as it may not present significant visual symptoms right away, leading to potential oversight in terms of assessing the integrity of the coating and the underlying substrate.