SSPC-Paint 25 BCS

May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

PAINT SPECIFICATION NO. 25 BCS

Zinc Oxide, Alkyd, Linseed Oil Primer for Use Over Blast Cleaned Steel
Type I and Type II
spreading rates can be signicantly lower. On a calculated
basis, the VOC content is 220 g/L (1.9 lb/gal).

1. Scope
1.1 This specication covers a French process zinc oxide,
raw linseed oil and alkyd primer suitable for use over blast
cleaned steel.

3. Referenced Standards

1.2 This is an alkyd/linseed oil primer containing 30%

more alkyd resin than SSPC Paint 25. It is not recommended
for hand cleaned steel.

3.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the referenced standards in effect on the date of invitation to bid shall
govern, unless otherwise specied. Standards marked with
an asterisk (*) are referenced only in the Notes, which are not
requirements of this specication.

1.3 This primer is suitable for exposures in Environmental

Zones 1A (interior, normally dry) and 1B (exterior, normally
dry), and is intended for brush, roller, or spray application
over steel surfaces prepared in accordance with SSPC-SP
6/NACE No. 3, Commercial Blast Cleaning, or SSPC-SP
11, Power Tool Cleaning to Bare Metal, or better. (See Note
9.6.) It is suitable as a shop primer, eld primer, maintenance
primer, or intermediate coat and is to be applied in accordance
with SSPC-PA 1, Shop, Field, and Maintenance Painting of
Steel. If the primed part of the structure is to be exposed to
the weather, it should be topcoated as soon as practical.

3.2 If there is a conict between the requirements of any

of the cited referenced standards and this specication, the
requirements of this specication shall prevail
3.3 SSPC STANDARDS AND JOINT STANDARDS:
* Guide 7

Guide for the Disposal of LeadContaminated Surface Preparation

Debris
SSPC Guide 13
Guide for the Identication and Use
of Industrial Coating Material in
Computerized Product Databases
PA 1
Shop, Field, and MaintenancePainting of Steel
PA Guide 3
A Guide to Safety in Paint Application
Paint 25
Zinc Oxide, Alkyd, Linseed Oil
Primer for Use Over Hand Cleaned
Steel
* SP 5/NACE No. 1 White Metal Blast Cleaning
SP 6/NACE No. 3 Commercial Blast Cleaning
* SP 10/NACE No. 2 Near-White Metal BlastCleaning
* SP 11
Power Tool Cleaning to Bare Metal

2. Description
2.1 This specication contains requirements to ensure
performance that is comparable to that customarily expected
from paints containing lead and chromate pigments.
It has fair wetting ability, about 18 hours drying time
and good resistance to weathering before eld coating. The
wetting ability of this primer is the result of one third of the
binder being raw linseed oil. Type II has a lower percentage
of volatile organic compounds (VOC) thanType I. The reduced
VOC content of Type II was achieved by replacing some of the
mineral spirits with high ash naphtha and by making other
minor composition changes. Details of the compositions are
given in Table 1 for Type I and in Table 2 for Type II.

3.4 ASTM INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS:

2.2 The Type I primer contains approximately 65% by

volume of nonvolatile lm forming solids (pigment and binder).
The theoretical spreading rate for a 50 micrometer (2.0 mil)
dry lm thickness is 12.8 m2/L (520 ft2/U.S. Gallon). Actual
spreading rates can be signicantly lower. On a calculated
basis, the VOC content is 270 grams per liter (2.3 lb/gal).

D 79
D 185
D 234
D 235
D 562

2.3 The Type II primer contains approximately 72% by

volume of nonvolatile lm forming solids (pigment and binder).
The theoretical spreading rate for a 50 micrometer (2.0 mil)
dry lm thickness is 14.2 m2/L (580 ft2/U.S. gallon). Actual
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Copyright The Society for Protective Coatings

Provided by IHS under license with SSPC
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS

D 600

6-87
Not for Resale

Specication for Zinc OxidePigments

Test Method for Coarse Particles in Pigments,
Pastes and Paints
Specication for Raw Linseed Oil
Specication for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum
Spirits) (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
Test Method for Consistency of Paints
(Measuring Krebs Unit Viscosity) Using a
Stormer-type Viscometer
Specication for Liquid Paint Driers

SSPC-Paint 25 BCS
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
D 605
D 607
D 1208
D 1210

D 1296
D 1475
D 1542
D 1640

D 2369
D 2371

D 2448

Specication for Magnesium Silicate Pigment

(Talc)
Specication for Wet Ground Mica Pigments
Test Methods for Common Properties of
Certain Pigments
Test Methods for Fineness of Dispersion of
Pigment-Vehicle Systems by Hegman-type
Gage
Test Method for Odors of Volatile Solvents
and Diluents
Test Method for Density of Liquid Coatings,
Inks, and Related Products
(Withdrawn)Test Method for Quantitative
Test for Rosin in Varnishes
Standard Test Methods for Drying, Curing,
or Film Formation of Organic Coatings at
Room Temperature
Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
Test Method for Pigment Content of SolventReducible Paints

D 2832

D 3278
D 3722
D 3724
D 3734
D 3925
D 3951
D 4400

Test Method for Water-Soluble Salts in Pigments by Measuring the Specic Resistance
of the Leachate of the Pigment
Standard Guide for Determining Volatile and
Nonvolatile Content of Paint and Related
Coatings
Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by
Small-Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
Specication for Natural Red and Brown
Iron Oxide Pigments
Specication for Synthetic Brown Iron Oxide
Pigment
Specification for High-Flash Aromatic
Naphthas
Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and
Related Pigmented Coatings
Practice for Commercial Packaging
Test Method for Sag Resistance of Paints
Using a Multinotch Applicator

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TABLE 1
COMPOSITION
SSPC-Paint 25.1BCS, Type I
REQUIRED
INGREDIENTS
PIGMENT1: (52.5 2 wt. %)
Zinc Oxide

Min.
Wt. %

Max.
Wt. %

15.0

Iron Oxide (85% minimum Fe203) 39.0

Magnesium Silicate
Mica

10.0

TOTAL PIGMENT:
VEHICLE: (47.5 2 wt. %)
Raw Linseed Oil
Alkyd Resin Solids

TYPICAL
COMPOSITION

INGREDIENT STANDARDS

Wt. %

Vol. %

ASTM

FEDERAL

17.0

8.4

2.3

21.5

7.9

D 79, Dry Pigment,

French Process
D 3722/D 3724

33.0
12.0

17.3
5.3

9.2
2.8

D 605
D 607

52.5

22.2

100
21.0
41.0

10.0
19.5

16.2
27.0

D 234

TT-R-266,
Type I Class A
Type II Class B

38.0

18.0

47.5

34.6

77.8

D 235
D 600, Non-Lead

100

100

Mineral Spirit Thinner

Driers
TOTAL VEHICLE:

100

TOTAL:

The preblended composite pigment shall comply with the following:

PROPERTY

METHOD

REQUIRED

pH
Specic Resistance of Leachate

ASTM D 2448

7 to 8
5000 ohm-cm minimum

See Note 10.3 for supplier of preblended pigment and Note 10.4 for properties of component pigments.

Copyright The Society for Protective Coatings

Provided by IHS under license with SSPC
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS

6-88
Not for Resale

SSPC-Paint 25 BCS
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
3.6 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE
(ANSI) STANDARD:

3.5 FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS:

TT-R-266

Resin, Alkyd: Solutions

ANSI Z129.1 Hazardous Industrial Chemicals
Precautionary Labeling

FED-STD-141: Paint, Varnish, Lacquer and Related

Materials: Methods of Inspection, Sampling and Testing

4. Composition

Method 4203
Method 4321
Method 4331
Method 4541

Condition in Container
(Canceled) Skinning (Partially Filled
Container)
Reducibility and Dilution Stability
Brushing Properties
Spraying Properties
(Canceled) Working Properties and
Appearance of Dried Film

4.1 Ingredients and proportions shall be as specied in

Table 1 for Type I and in Table 2 for Type II.
4.2 The primer based on the specied ingredients shall
be uniform, stable in storage, and free from grit and coarse
particles. No rosin or rosin derivatives may be used. Benecial
additives such as anti-skinning agents, suspending agents, or
wetting aids may be added.

TABLE 2
COMPOSITION
SSPC-Paint 25.1BCS, Type II

REQUIRED
Min.
Max.
Wt. %
Wt. %

INGREDIENTS

TYPICAL
COMPOSITION
Wt. %

INGREDIENT STANDARDS

Vol. %

ASTM

FEDERAL

PIGMENT1: (54.0 2 wt. %)

Zinc Oxide

15.0

17.0

8.7

2.4

Iron Oxide (85% minimum Fe203)

Magnesium Silicate
Mica
TOTAL PIGMENT:

39.0

10.0

33.0
12.0

22.1
17.8
5.4
54.0

8.5
9.9
3.0
23.8

22.5
46.5

10.3
21.4

17.5
31.0

21.0
10.0

9.7
4.6

46.0

19.4
8.3

76.2

100

100

VEHICLE: (46.0 2 wt. %)

Raw Linseed Oil
Alkyd Resin Solids

Mineral Spirit Thinner

High Flash Naphtha
Driers
TOTAL VEHICLE:

100

TOTAL:

100

D 79, Dry Pigment,

French Process
D 3722/D 3724
D 605
D 607

D 234

PROPERTY

METHOD

REQUIRED

pH
Specic Resistance of Leachate

ASTM D 2448

7 to 8
5000 ohm-cm minimum

See Note 10.3 for supplier of preblended pigment and Note 10.4 for properties of component pigments.

Copyright The Society for Protective Coatings

Provided by IHS under license with SSPC
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS

6-89
Not for Resale

TT-R-266,
Type I Class A
Type II Class B
D 235

D 3734

D 600, Non-Lead

The preblended composite pigment shall comply with the following:

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Method 3011
Method 3021.1

SSPC-Paint 25 BCS
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
4.3 The paint shall conform to the composition (analysis)
requirements of Table 3.

in the standard manner specied in FED-STD-141, Method

3021.

5. Properties

5.8 SALT CONTAMINATION: Content of salt contamination shall have been minimized by the incorporation of only
high purity materials. The specic resistance of the aqueous
leachate of the composite of the pigments in required proportions shall be a minimum of 5,000 ohm-cm when tested in
accordance with ASTM D 2448.

5.1 The primers for Type I and Type II shall meet the
requirements of Tables 3 and 4 and of Sections 5.2 through
5.8.
5.2 ODOR: The odor shall be normal for the materials
permitted (ASTM D 1296).

6. Labeling
5.3 COLOR: The color shall be typical of the specied
mixture of zinc oxide and red or brown iron oxide.

6.1 Labeling shall conform to ANSI Z129.1.

5.4 COMPATIBILITY: There shall be no evidence of

incompatibility of any of the ingredients of the paint when two
volumes of the paint are slowly mixed with one volume of
mineral spirits (FED-STD-141, Method 4203).

6.2 Technical data shall be provided for at least all data

elements categorized as essential in SSPC-Guide 13.
6.3 MARKING OF CONTAINERS: Each container shall
be legibly marked with the following information:

5.5 WORKING PROPERTIES: The paint shall be easily

applied by brush, roller or spray when tested in accordance
with FED-STD-141, Methods 4321, 4331, and 4541. The paint
shall show no streaking, running, or sagging during application
or while drying.

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Name: Zinc Oxide, Alkyd, Linseed Oil Primer for Use

Over Blast Cleaned Steel, Type I (or Type II)
Specication: SSPC-Paint 25 BCS
Color: Red or Brown Iron Oxide
Lot Number:
Batch Number:
Stock Number:
Date of Manufacture:
Quantity of Paint in Container:
Information and Warnings as may be required by
Federal and State Laws:
VOC Content:
Manufacturer's Name and Address:

5.6 CONDITION IN CONTAINER: The paint shall show

no thickening, curdling, gelling, or hard caking when tested
as specied in FED-STD-141, Method 3011, after storage for
six months from the date of delivery, in a full, tightly covered
container, at a temperature of 10-43C (50-110F).
5.7 SKINNING: There shall be no skinning in a threequarters lled closed container after 48 hours when tested
TABLE 3
ANALYSIS
REQUIREMENTS
Min.
Wt. %

Max.
Wt. %

50.5
52.0

54.5
56.0

D 2371
D 2371

18.8
14.9

D 2369
D 2369

Nonvolatile vehicle
Type I
Type II

28.2
30.4

D 2832
D 2832

Uncombined water

1.0

D 1208

Coarse particles and skins,

as retained on standard
325 mesh screen

1.5

D 185

Rosin or rosin derivatives

D 1542

CHARACTERISTICS
Pigment content
Type I
Type II
Volatiles
Type I
Type II

Copyright The Society for Protective Coatings

Provided by IHS under license with SSPC
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS

ASTM

6-90
Not for Resale

FED-STD-141

SSPC-Paint 25 BCS
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
of the air shall be over 4C (40F). Do not paint outdoors in
rainy weather or if freezing temperatures are expected before
the paint dries.
Allow paint at least 18 hours drying time before recoating.

6.4 PACKAGING: Material shall be packaged and labeled

in accordance with the requirements of ASTM D 3951 unless
otherwise specied.
6.4 DIRECTIONS FOR USE: The following directions
for use shall be supplied with each container of paint:

7. Inspection
7.1 All materials (coatings) supplied under this specication are subject to timely inspection by the purchaser or his
authorized representative. The purchaser shall have the right
to reject any materials supplied which are found to be defective
under this specication. (See Note 9.1.) In case of dispute, unless otherwise specied, the arbitration or settlement procedure
established in the procurement documents shall be followed.
If no arbitration or settlement procedure is established, then a
procedure mutually agreeable to the purchaser and material
supplier shall be used.

Directions for Use of Zinc Oxide,

Alkyd, Linseed Oil Primer for Use Over
Hand Cleaned Steel
This paint is intended for use as a primer over steel
surfaces cleaned at least to SSPC-SP 6, Commercial Blast
Cleaning, or to SSPC-SP 11, Power Tool Cleaning to Bare
Metal in atmospheric exposure. The surfaces shall be free of
all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, mill scale, rust and paint.
Mix paint thoroughly before use. If the pigment has settled, pour off most of the liquid. Thoroughly mix the pigment
with the remaining liquid, taking care to scrape all the pigment
off the bottom of the can. Gradually add the poured-off liquid
and mix thoroughly. Mixing may be made easier by transferring the contents to a larger container or by pouring the paint
to and from another container. Examine bottom of container
for unmixed pigment. Screen paint before applying.
The thinning of paint may change the VOC class. For
roller, brush, or airless spray application, no thinning should be
necessary. A minimum amount of thinning may be necessary
for conventional air spray.
Apply by brush or spray to the specied lm thickness or,
if none is specied, to at least 50 micrometers (2 mils) dry. The
surface to be painted shall be dry; the surface temperature shall
be at least 3 C (5 F) above the dew point and the temperature

7.2 Samples of paints may be requested by the purchaser

and shall be supplied upon request along with the manufacturer's name and identication for the materials. Samples may
be requested at the time the purchase order is placed or may
be taken from unopened containers at the job site.
7.3 Unless otherwise specied, the sampling shall be in
accordance with ASTM D 3925.

8. Disclaimer
8.1 While every precaution is taken to ensure that all
information furnished in SSPC standards and specications
is as accurate, complete, and useful as possible, SSPC

TABLE 4
PROPERTIES
REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS

Min.

Consistency1 shear rate 200 rpm

Grams
Krebs units

Max.

ASTM

FED-STD-141

225
86

300
95

D 562
D 562

1.50 (12.5)
1.56 (13.0)

D 1475
D 1475

Fineness of grind, Hegman units

3.0

D 1210

Drying time, hours

Tack free
Dry hard

6
18

D 1640
D 1640

Flash point, C (F)

38 (100)

D 3278

Sag resistance, mm (mils)

0.18 (7)

0.25 (10)

D 4400

Density, kg/L (lb/US gal)

Type I
Type II

Consistency 48 hours or more after manufacture.

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Copyright The Society for Protective Coatings

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No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS

6-91
Not for Resale

SSPC-Paint 25 BCS
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
9.4 During the development of SSPC-Paint 25, the purity
of each pigment was measured in accordance with ASTM D
2448. The specic resistances of the leachate for the individual
pigments were as follows:

cannot assume responsibility nor incur any obligation resulting

from the use of any materials, coatings, or methods specied
therein, or of the specication or standard itself.
8.2 This specication does not attempt to address problems
concerning safety associated with its use. The user of this
specication, as well as the user of all products or practices
described herein, is responsible for instituting appropriate
health and safety practices and for ensuring compliance with
all governmental regulations.

French process zinc oxide ........... 20,000 ohm-cm

Iron oxide .......................................5,000 ohm-cm
Magnesium silicate ......................... 2,800 ohm-cm
Mica ..............................................17,000 ohm-cm
The calculated resistance for the formula blend using
these purities for the individual paints is 5000 ohm-cm.

9. Notes
Notes are not a requirement of this specication.
9.1 The procurement documents should establish the
responsibility for samples, testing, and any required afdavit
certifying full compliance with the specication.

9.5 Handle wastes in accordance with federal, state and

local government regulations. See SSPC-Guide 7, Guide
for the Disposal of Lead-Contaminated Surface Preparation
Debris.

9.2 The extraction of chlorides and other anions from

corrosion pits in severe corrosivity areas of the structure is
recommended.

9.6 The degrees of surface preparation SSPC-SP 5/NACE

No. 1 and SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2 are better than SSPC-SP
6/NACE No. 3 and SSPC-SP 11.

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9.3 The preblended composite pigment can be obtained

from Hoover Color Corporation, P. O. Box 218, Hiwasse, VA
24347; Phone (703) 980-7233.

Copyright The Society for Protective Coatings

Provided by IHS under license with SSPC
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS

6-92
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