SSPC-AB 1

June 1, 1991
Editorial Changes September 1, 2000

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

ABRASIVE SPECIFICATION NO. 1

Mineral and Slag Abrasives
1. Scope

1.1 This specification defines the requirements for

selecting and evaluating mineral and slag abrasives used
for blast cleaning steel and other surfaces for painting and
other purposes.

1.2 The abrasives covered by this specification are

primarily intended for one-time use without recycling; reclaimed materials must again be tested against and meet
the requirements of this specification. (See Note 7.1.)

2. Description

2.1 The abrasives are categorized into two types, three

classes and five grades as described below. Normally the
user shall specify the types, classes and grades required.
If no abrasive type is specified, then either Type I or Type
II is considered acceptable. If no abrasive class is specified,
then any class will be considered acceptable. If no abrasive
profile grade is specified, the abrasive shall satisfy the
requirements of any of the five grades listed.

Grade 1 - Abrasives which produce surface profiles of 0.5 to 1.5 mils (13 to 38 micrometers) when
tested in accordance with Section 4.3.
Grade 2 - Abrasives which produce surface profiles of 1.0 to 2.5 mils (25 to 64 micrometers) when
tested in accordance with Section 4.3.
Grade 3 - Abrasives which produce surface profiles of 2.0 to 3.5 mils (51 to 89 micrometers) when
tested in accordance with Section 4.3.
Grade 4 - Abrasives which produce surface profiles of 3.0 to 5.0 mils (75 to 127 micrometers)
when tested in accordance with Section 4.3
Grade 5 - Abrasives which produce surface profiles of 4.0 to 6.0 mils (102 to 152 micrometers)
when tested in accordance with Section 4.3.

Other profile ranges may be designated by the purchaser.

3. Reference Standards
3.1 The reference standards listed in Sections 3.4 and
3.5 form a part of this specification.

2.2 The following abrasive types are included.

3.2 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the
referenced standards in effect on the date of invitation to
bid shall govern unless otherwise stated.

Type I - Natural Mineral Abrasives

These are naturally occurring minerals, including, but
not limited to, quartz sands, flint, garnet, staurolite, and
olivine.

3.3 If there is a conflict between the requirements of

any of the cited reference standards and this specification,
the requirements of this specification shall prevail.

Type ll - Slag Abrasives

3.4 SSPC SPECIFICATIONS:
These are slag by-products of coal-fired power production or of metal (such as copper or nickel) smelting.

VIS 1

Visual Standard for Abrasive Blast

Cleaned Steel

SP 10

Near-White Blast Cleaning

2.3 The following abrasive classes are included.

Class A - Crystalline silica less than or equal to 1.0%
Class B - Crystalline silica less than or equal to 5.0%
Class C - Unrestricted crystalline silica

3.5 AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS (ASTM) STANDARDS:

The definition and requirements for Classes A, B and C

are given in Section 4.2.

C 128

Test Method for Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregates

2.4 The abrasive grades and associated profile ranges

are listed below:

C 136

Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine

and Coarse Aggregates

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C 566

Test Method for Total Moisture Content of

Aggregate by Drying

C 702

Method for Reducing Field Samples of

Aggregate to Testing Size

D 75

Method for Sampling Aggregates

D 1125

Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity

and Resistivity of Water

D 4417

Test Method for Field Measurement of

Surface Profile of Blast Cleaned Steel

D 4940

Test Method for Conductimetric Analysis

of Water Soluble Ionic Contaminants of
Blasting Abrasives

E 1132

Practice for Health Requirements Relating to Occupational Exposure to Quartz

Dust

for 30 minutes, then cool in a dessicator and reweigh. The

percent of weight change shall be computed as follows:
% weight change = (final wt. - orig. wt.) x 100
orig. wt.
4.1.4 Water Soluble Contaminants: The conductivity
of the abrasive shall not exceed 1000 microsiemen when
tested in accordance with ASTM D 4940. (See Note 7.3.)
4.1.5 Moisture Content: The maximum moisture content shall be 0.5% by weight, when tested in accordance
with ASTM C 566.
4.1.6 Oil Content: The sample, in water, when tested
in 4.1.4, shall show no presence of oil, either on the surface
of the water or as an emulsion in the water, when examined
visually after standing for 30 minutes.

4. Requirements

4.2 CRYSTALLINE SILICA CONTENT: All abrasives

must be classed based on crystalline silica content (see
Note 7.4). Abrasives designated as Class A or B must meet
the requirements of paragraphs 4.2.1 or 4.2.2 respectively.

4.1 GENERAL PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES: The abrasive shall meet all the requirements of
paragraphs 4.1.1 through 4.1.6. These are summarized in
Table 1.

4.2.1 Class A - Less Than 1% Crystalline Silica:

Abrasives shall contain no more than 1.0% by weight of
crystalline silica when determined in accordance with procedures described in 4.2.4.

4.1.1 Specific Gravity: The specific gravity shall be a

minimum of 2.5 as determined by ASTM C 128.

4.2.2 Class B - Less than 5% Crystalline Silica:

Abrasives shall contain no more than 5.0% by weight of
crystalline silica when determined in accordance with procedures described in 4.2.4.

4.1.2 Hardness: The hardness shall be a minimum of

6 on the Mohs scale when tested as follows: Examine the
material under low-power microscope (10X) and if grains of
different colors or character are present, select a few grains
of each. Place in succession the grains thus differentiated
between two glass microscope slides. While applying pressure, slowly move one slide over the other with a reciprocating motion for 10 seconds. Examine the glass surface, and
if scratched, the material shall be considered as having a
minimum hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. If more than
25% of the grains by count fail to scratch the glass surface,
the abrasive does not meet this specification.

4.2.3 Class C - Unrestricted Crystalline Silica: No

restrictions on crystalline silica content.
4.2.4 Crystalline Silica: The crystalline silica content
shall be determined by the use of infrared spectroscopy or
by other analytical procedures, such as wet chemical or Xray diffraction analyses.
4.3 SURFACE PROFILE: The average surface profile,
when determined in accordance with the description below,
shall be within the ranges specified in Section 2.4. A
representative sample of the material shall be obtained in
accordance with ASTM D 75 and used to abrasive blast a
2-foot by 2-foot by 1/4 inch (61 cm x 61 cm x 4 mm) mild
steel plate of SSPC-VIS 1 Rust Grade A to a cleanliness of
SSPC-SP 10 (Near-White Blast Cleaning). The blasting
shall be done using a 3/8 in (9.5 mm) #6 venturi nozzle with
a nozzle pressure of 95 5 psig (670 35 kilopascals) at a
distance of 24 6 inches (61 15 cm) from the surface at
an angle of 75 to 105 degrees. The resultant surface profile
shall be measured at a minimum of five locations in accor-

4.1.3 Weight Change on Ignition: The maximum

permissible loss on ignition is 1.0% and the maximum
permissible gain is 5.0% when tested as follows: A representative portion of the sample shall be ground in an agate
mortar and thoroughly dried at 220- 230F (105-110C) for
one hour. Transfer approximately 1 gram of the dried
sample to a tared crucible with cover and weigh to the
nearest milligram. Cautiously heat the crucible with contents, at first partially covered, and then at approximately
1382 90F (750 50C) covered. Hold at 1382F (750C)

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performing and documenting the tests and inspections
called for in this specification.

dance with Method C of ASTM D 4417 (see Note 7.5). The

average measured profile shall be within the ranges given
in Section 2.4. Other methods of determining profile may be
used if mutually agreeable between the contracting parties.

5.2 CLASSIFICATION OF TESTING: The tests given

in Section 4 are classified as qualification tests or conformance tests, as defined below:

4.4 PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION

5.2.1 Qualification tests are those tests which are run

to initially qualify a material for this specification. Qualification tests are also required whenever a significant change
has occurred in the source, method of processing, method
of shipping or handling of the abrasives. The qualification
tests include all the tests in Sections 4.1 through 4.6.

4.4.1 The abrasive supplier shall designate range(s)

for maximum and minimum retention of each sieve size to
meet the profile range(s) specified in Section 2.4 and
determined in Section 4.3. The particle size distribution
shall be measured in accordance with ASTM C 136 using
the following U.S. standard sieves: 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 30, 40,
50, 70, 100, 140, and 200. Upon request, the supplier shall
substantiate that the specified size range will meet the
required profile range. (See Note 7.6.)

5.2.2 Conformance tests are those tests which are

performed to verify that the material being submitted has
the same properties as the material which initially qualified.
Conformance tests shall be conducted on each lot as
required by the purchaser. The frequency and lot size for
quality conformance testing shall be mutually agreed upon
between the supplier and the purchaser. The required
conformance tests are particle size distribution (Section
4.4), water soluble contaminants (Section 4.1.4), moisture
content (Section 4.1.5) and oil content (Section 4.1.6).

4.4.2 The designated sieve size distribution and ranges

will become the acceptance standard for the specific abrasive submitted (see Section 5.4).
4.5 HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
4.5.1 The abrasive material as supplied shall comply
with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (see
Note 7.7).

5.3 METHODS OF SAMPLING

5.3.1 Sampling for Qualification Tests

4.5.2 The manufacturer shall provide the purchaser

with sufficiently detailed chemical analyses to allow the
user to provide the protective engineering and administrative controls for blast cleaning identified in federal, state,
and local codes.

5.3.1.1 Bagged Abrasive: Three or more sacks of

abrasive shall be randomly selected from each inspection
lot. The sacks shall be mixed and separated and a 50
kilogram (kg) (110 lb) composite sample prepared in accordance with ASTM C 702.

4.5.3 Material Safety Data Sheets shall be furnished

for all abrasive materials supplied.

5.3.1.2 Bulk Abrasive: A 50 kg (110 lb) composite

sample shall be obtained from the blended finished product
in accordance with ASTM D 75. (See Note 7.8.)

4.6 OTHER REQUIREMENTS

4.6.1 In addition to the requirements of Sections 4.1
through 4.5, the specifier may also stipulate performance
tests to establish abrasive consumption rate, cleaning rate,
and abrasive breakdown. As there are currently no standards for these tests, they are not a part of this specification. However, upon mutual agreement between supplier
and purchaser, a performance test procedure can be established. Appendix A outlines a suggested procedure.

5.3.2 Sampling for Conformance Tests

5.3.2.1 Bagged Abrasive: One sack of abrasive shall
be randomly selected from each inspection lot and a 2 kg (4
lb) composite sample prepared in accordance with ASTM C
702.
5.3.2 2 Bulk Abrasive. A 2 kg (4 lb) composite sample
shall be obtained from the blended finished product in
accordance with ASTM D 75.

5. Qualification Testing and Conformance

Testing
5.1 RESPONSIBILITIES FOR TESTING: The procurement documents should establish the specific responsibilities for qualification testing and conformance testing. Unless otherwise specified, the supplier is responsible for

5.3.3 Other methods of sampling may be used if mutually agreeable between the contracting parties.
5.4 DOCUMENTATION OF INSPECTION AND TESTING: The supplier shall furnish all documentation required

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7.2 Materials furnished under this specification which
produce the required surface profile under standard test
conditions may produce a different surface profile depending upon job condition, type of surface, blasting pressure,
etc.

to verify that he has completed the requirements of the

qualification tests and conformance tests specified. At a
minimum, the documentation shall include the following:
5.4.1 List of tests performed: This list shall include
the title of the test, the appropriate standards used, any
deviation from standard practice, and the numerical results
of the testing.

7.3 The limitation for abrasive conductivity is based on

pressure immersion testing and accelerated outdoor exposure tests performed by SSPC and the National Shipbuilding Research Program.

5.4.2 Testing facilities: The documentation of facilities shall include the name and location of the laboratory,
the responsible laboratory official, and laboratory certification or other evidence of qualification.

7.4 Users of abrasives containing quartz (crystalline

silica) should comply with the requirements of ASTM E
1132.

5.4.3 Date of testing: This shall include the date of

original qualification (if applicable) and dates of completion
and official approval of testing results.

7.5 Methods A and B of ASTM D 4417 or National

Association of Corrosion Engineers RP02-87, Field Measurement of Surface Profile of Abrasive Blast Cleaned
Steel Using Replica Tape may also be specified by agreement between purchaser and supplier.

5.4.4 Affidavit: The procurement documents should

establish the responsibility for any required affidavit certifying compliance with this specification.

7.6 SSPC will maintain a list of abrasives and sieve

sizes for which data on profile and other specified tests
have been submitted. The data will not be verified by SSPC,
but will be furnished upon request to those wishing to use
this specification. It is anticipated that at a future date,
specific size designations for individual abrasives will be
incorporated into this or another SSPC specification.

5.5 FREQUENCY OF TESTING AND INSPECTION:

All materials supplied under this specification shall be
subject to timely inspection by the purchaser or his authorized representative. The frequency and lot size of inspection shall be established by mutual agreement between the
supplier and the purchaser.

7.7 Disposal of abrasives should be in compliance with

all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. It is
noted that the spent abrasive may contain hazardous paint
and other foreign matter.

5.6 APPROVAL: The purchaser shall have the right to

reject any material supplied which is found to be defective
under this specification. In case of dispute, the arbitration or
settlement procedure, if any, established in the procurement documents shall be followed. If no arbitration procedure is established, the procedures specified by the American Arbitration Association shall be used.

7.8 The importance of properly obtaining a sample

cannot be over-emphasized. All subsequent analyses performed on the selected sample are likely to be affected by
particle size, so it is imperative that every reasonable effort
be made to select the sample in a way that will assure
proper representation. Therefore, it is important to select
the proper sampling location, and to use proper techniques
to select the sample.
The following guidelines should be kept in mind when
deciding on a sampling method:

6. Disclaimer
6.1 While every precaution is taken to insure that all
information furnished in SSPC specifications is as accurate, complete, and useful as possible, SSPC cannot assume responsibility nor incur any obligation resulting from
the use of any materials or methods specified therein, or of
the specification itself.

7.8.1 If possible, sample the material to be tested when

it is in motion, in such places as a conveyor output point or
a chute discharge.

7. Notes*
7.1 Reclaimed abrasive may not meet the requirements of this specification because of particle degradation
and retained contaminants. To confirm compliance, reclaimed abrasive shall be retested.

7.8.2 The whole of the material stream should be taken

for many short periods of time in preference to part of the
material stream being taken for the whole of the time.
*Notes are not requirements of this specification.

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Appendix A. Optional Test To Determine Rates

of Surface Cleaning by Abrasives and of Abrasive Consumption*

A.1.3 Each abrasive type and size selected shall be

tested using a 3/8 inch (9.6 mm) venturi nozzle operated at
95 5 psig (655 35 kilopascals) at the nozzle. A 600 lb pot
shall be charges with 500 lbs (227 kg) of abrasive and the
test panel blasted to SSPC-SP 10 near-white condition.
Each trial shall cover approximately 20 sq. ft. (2 m 2) of
surface area. The blast pot shall be disconnected and
weighed before and after each blast trial, and the following
data recorded: start weight, finish weight, weight of abrasive used, square footage blasted, and time required to
blast.

A.1 TEST PROCEDURE

A.1.1 For testing purposes hot rolled carbon steel
plates or other flat structural steel with surface area of 20 to
80 sq. ft. (1.9 to 7.4 m2) shall be abrasive blast cleaned to
a SSPC-SP 10 Near White condition. Surface profile shall
range from 2.0 to 3.0 mils (51 to 76 micrometers) when
measured by replica tape (ASTM D-4417, Method C).
These panels shall be coated within 4 hours of abrasive
blasting, or before surface rusting is visible whichever
occurs first.

A.2 ABRASIVE CONSUMPTION RATE: The abrasive

consumption rate shall be determined as the weight of
abrasive used divided by the area cleaned, and reported in
lbs of abrasive per square foot (kg per m2).

A.1.2 The panels prepared in A.1.1 shall be coated with

three coats of epoxy-polyamide paint (total DFT 7-10 mils
[178-254 micrometers]) conforming to MIL-DTL-24441 or
other standard reference painting system agreed to by the
contracting parties. The panels shall be cured for a minimum of seven days at a minimum temperature of 70F (21
C). Following curing. the panels shall be marked in such a
manner as to form a grid of squares, each being 1 sq. ft.
(0.09 m2) in area. Each plate shall contain a minimum of 20
squares.

A.3 SURFACE CLEANING RATE: The surface cleaning rate shall be determined as the area cleaned divided by
the time required to blast and reported in square feet
(square meters) cleaned per hour.
*The Appendix is not a requirement of this specification.

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