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 SSPC-SP 5/NACE No. 1
September 1, 2000
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

JOINT SURFACE PREPARATION SPECIFICATION

SSPC-SP 5/NACE NO. 1
White Metal Blast Cleaning

This SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE ©SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
International standard represents a consensus of those indi- 40 24th Street, Sixth Floor
vidual members who have reviewed this document, its scope Pittsburgh, PA 15222
and provisions. Its acceptance does not in any respect preclude (telephone +1 412/281-2331)
anyone, having adopted the standard or not, from manufactur-
ing, marketing, purchasing, or using products, processes, or ©NACE International
procedures not in conformance with this standard. Nothing 1440 South Creek
contained in this standard is to be construed as granting any Houston, TX 77084-4906
right, by implication or otherwise, to manufacture, sell, or use in (telephone +1 281/228-6200)
connection with any method, apparatus, or product covered by
Letters Patent, or as indemnifying or protecting anyone against Foreword
liability for infringement of Letters Patent. This standard repre-
sents minimum requirements and should in no way be interpreted This joint standard covers the use of blast cleaning abra-
as a restriction on the use of better procedures or materials. sives to achieve a defined degree of cleaning of steel surfaces
Neither is this standard intended to apply in all cases relating prior to the application of a protective coating or lining system.
to the subject. Unpredictable circumstances may negate the This standard is intended for use by coating or lining specifiers,
usefulness of this standard in specific instances. SSPC and applicators, inspectors, or others whose responsibility it may
NACE assume no responsibility for the interpretation or use be to define a standard degree of surface cleanliness.
of this standard by other parties and accept responsibility for
only those official interpretations issued by SSPC or NACE in The focus of this standard is white metal blast cleaning.
accordance with their respective governing procedures and Near-white metal blast cleaning, commercial blast cleaning,
policies, which preclude the issuance of interpretations by industrial blast cleaning and brush-off blast cleaning are ad-
individual volunteers. dressed in separate standards.

Users of this standard are responsible for reviewing ap- White metal blast cleaning provides a greater degree of
propriate health, safety, and regulatory documents and for cleaning than near-white blast cleaning (SSPC-SP 10/NACE
determining their applicability in relation to this standard prior No. 2).
to its use. This SSPC/NACE standard may not necessarily ad-
dress all potential health and safety problems or environmental The difference between a white metal blast and a near-
hazards associated with the use of materials, equipment and/or white blast is that a white metal blast removes all of the coat-
operations detailed or referred to within this standard. Users of ing, mill scale, rust, oxides, corrosion products, and other
this standard are also responsible for establishing appropriate foreign matter from the surface. Near-white blasting allows
health, safety, and environmental protection practices, in con- light shadows, slight streaks, or minor discolorations caused
sultation with appropriate regulatory authorities, if necessary, by stains of rust, stains of mill scale, or stains of previously
to achieve compliance with any existing applicable regulatory applied coating to remain on no more than 5 percent of each
requirements prior to the use of this standard. unit area of surface.

CAUTIONARY NOTICE: SSPC/NACE standards are sub- This joint standard was prepared by the SSPC/NACE Task
ject to periodic review and may be revised or withdrawn at any Group A on Surface Preparation by Abrasive Blast Cleaning.
time without prior notice. SSPC and NACE require that action This joint Task Group includes members of both the SSPC
be taken to reaffirm, revise, or withdraw this standard no later Surface Preparation Committee and the NACE Unit Committee
than five years from the date of initial publication. The user is T-6G on Surface Preparation (now STG 04).
cautioned to obtain the latest edition. Purchasers may receive
current information on all standards and other publications by
contacting the organizations at the addresses below:

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Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

1. General 3. Referenced Standards

1.1 This joint standard covers the requirements for white 3.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the refer-
metal blast cleaning of unpainted or painted steel surfaces enced standards in effect on the date of invitation to bid shall
by the use of abrasives. These requirements include the end govern, unless otherwise specified.
condition of the surface and materials and procedures neces-
sary to achieve and verify the end condition. 3.2 If there is a conflict between the requirements of
any of the cited referenced standards and this standard, the
1.2 The mandatory requirements are described in Sec- requirements of this standard shall prevail.
tions 1 to 9 as follows:
Section 1 General 3.3 SSPC: THE SOCIETY FOR PROTECTIVE COAT-
Section 2 Definition INGS STANDARDS:
Section 3 Referenced Standards
Section 4 Procedures Before Blast Cleaning AB 1 Mineral and Slag Abrasives
Section 5 Blast Cleaning Methods and Operation AB 2 Cleanliness of Recycled Ferrous
Section 6 Blast Cleaning Abrasives Metallic Abrasives
Section 7 Procedures Following Blast Cleaning AB 3 Ferrous Metallic Abrasives
and Immediately Prior to Coating PA Guide 3 A Guide to Safety in Paint Applica-
Section 8 Inspection tion
Section 9 Safety and Environmental Requirements SP 1 Solvent Cleaning
VIS 1 Guide and Reference Photographs
NOTE: Section 10, “Comments” and Appendix A, “Explanatory for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry
Notes” are not mandatory requirements of this standard. Abrasive Blast Cleaning

2. Definition 4. Procedures Before Blast Cleaning

2.1 A white metal blast cleaned surface, when viewed 4.1 Before blast cleaning, visible deposits of oil, grease,
without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, or other contaminants shall be removed in accordance with
dust, dirt, mill scale, rust, coating, oxides, corrosion products, SSPC-SP 1 or other agreed upon methods.
and other foreign matter.
4.2 Before blast cleaning, surface imperfections such as
2.2 Acceptable variations in appearance that do not affect sharp fins, sharp edges, weld spatter, or burning slag should
surface cleanliness as defined in Section 2.1 include variations be removed from the surface to the extent required by the
caused by type of steel, original surface condition, thickness of procurement documents (project specification). Additional
the steel, weld metal, mill or fabrication marks, heat treating, information on surface imperfections is available in Section
heat affected zones, blasting abrasives, and differences due A.5 of Appendix A.
to blasting technique.
4.3 If a visual standard or comparator is specified to
2.3 When a coating is specified, the surface shall be supplement the written standard, the condition of the steel
roughened to a degree suitable for the specified coating sys- prior to blast cleaning should be determined before the blasting
tem. commences. Additional information on visual standards and
comparators is available in Section A.4 of Appendix A.
2.4 Immediately prior to coating application, the entire
surface shall comply with the degree of cleaning specified 5. Blast Cleaning Methods and Operation
herein.
5.1 Clean, dry compressed air shall be used for nozzle
2.5 SSPC-VIS 1 may be specified to supplement the writ- blasting. Moisture separators, oil separators, traps, or other
ten definition. In any dispute, the written standards shall take equipment may be necessary to achieve this requirement.
precedence over visual standards and comparators. Additional
information on visual standards and comparators is available 5.2 Any of the following methods of surface preparation
in Section A.4 of Appendix A. may be used to achieve a white metal abrasive blast cleaned
surface:

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Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

5.2.1 Dry abrasive blasting using compressed air, blast air, vacuum cleaning, or other methods agreed upon by those
nozzles, and abrasive. responsible for establishing the requirements and those re-
sponsible for performing the work. NOTE: The presence of
5.2.2 Dry abrasive blasting using a closed-cycle, recir- toxic metals in the abrasives or paint being removed may place
culating abrasive system with compressed air, blast nozzle, restrictions on the methods of cleaning permitted. Comply with
and abrasive, with or without vacuum for dust and abrasive all applicable regulations. Moisture separators, oil separators,
recovery. traps, or other equipment may be necessary to achieve clean,
dry air.
5.2.3 Dry abrasive blasting using a closed cycle, recircu-
lating abrasive system with centrifugal wheels and abrasive. 7.3 After blast cleaning, surface imperfections that remain
(e.g., sharp fins, sharp edges, weld spatter, burning slag, scabs,
5.3 Other methods of surface preparation (such as wet slivers, etc.) shall be removed to the extent required in the
abrasive blasting) may be used to achieve a white metal procurement documents (project specification). Any damage
blast cleaned surface by mutual agreement between those to the surface profile resulting from the removal of surface
responsible for performing the work and those responsible for imperfections shall be corrected to meet the requirements of
establishing the requirements. NOTE: Information on the use Section 2.4. NOTE: Additional information on surface imper-
of inhibitors to prevent the formation of rust immediately after fections is contained in Section A.5 of Appendix A.
wet blast cleaning is contained in Section A.9 of Appendix A.
7.4 Any visible rust that forms on the surface of the steel
6. Blast Cleaning Abrasives after blast cleaning shall be removed by recleaning the rusted
areas to meet the requirements of this standard before coat-
6.1 The selection of abrasive size and type shall be ing. NOTE: Information on rust-back (re-rusting) and surface
based on the type, grade, and surface condition of the steel condensation is contained in Sections A.6, A.7, and A.8 of
to be cleaned, type of blast cleaning system employed, the Appendix A.
finished surface to be produced (cleanliness and roughness),
and whether the abrasive will be recycled. 8. Inspection

6.2 The cleanliness and size of recycled abrasives shall 8.1 Work and materials supplied under this standard are
be maintained to ensure compliance with this specification. subject to inspection by a representative of those responsible
for establishing the requirements. Materials and work areas
6.3 The blast cleaning abrasive shall be dry and free of shall be accessible to the inspector. The procedures and times
oil, grease, and other contaminants as determined by the test of inspection shall be as agreed upon by those responsible
methods found in SSPC-AB 1, AB 2, and AB 3. for establishing the requirements and those responsible for
performing the work.
6.4 Any limitations on the use of specific abrasives, the
quantity of contaminants, or the degree of allowable embed- 8.2 Conditions not complying with this standard shall be
ment shall be included in the procurement documents (project corrected. In the case of a dispute, an arbitration or settlement
specification) covering the work, because abrasive embedment procedure established in the procurement documents (project
and abrasives containing contaminants may not be acceptable specification) shall be followed. If no arbitration or settlement
for some service requirements. NOTE: Additional information procedure is established, then a procedure mutually agreeable
on abrasive selection is given in Section A.2 of Appendix A. to purchaser and supplier shall be used.

7. Procedures Following Blast Cleaning and 8.3 The procurement documents (project specification)
Immediately Prior to Coating should establish the responsibility for inspection and for any
required affidavit certifying compliance with the specifica-
7.1 Visible deposits of oil, grease, or other contaminants tion.
shall be removed according to SSPC-SP 1 or another method
agreed upon by those parties responsible for establishing 9. Safety and Environmental Requirements
the requirements and those responsible for performing the
work. 9.1 Because abrasive blast cleaning is a hazardous opera-
tion, all work shall be conducted in compliance with applicable
7.2 Dust and loose residues shall be removed from occupational and environmental health and safety rules and
prepared surfaces by brushing, blowing off with clean, dry regulations.

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10. Comments of impact, hardness of the surface, amount of recycling, and the
proper maintenance of working mixtures of grit and/or shot.
10.1 Additional information and data relative to this standard The allowable minimum/maximum height of profile is usu-
are contained in Appendix A. Detailed information and data are ally dependent upon the thickness of the coating to be applied.
presented in a separate document, SSPC-SP COM, “Surface Large particle sized abrasives (particularly metallic) can produce
Preparation Commentary.” The recommendations contained a profile that may be too deep to be adequately covered by a
in Appendix A and SSPC-SP COM are believed to represent single thin film coat. Accordingly, it is recommended that the
good practice, but are not to be considered requirements of the use of larger abrasives be avoided in these cases. However,
standard. The sections of SSPC-SP COM that discuss subjects larger abrasives may be needed for thick film coatings or to
related to white metal blast cleaning are listed below. facilitate removal of thick coatings, heavy mill scale, or rust.
If control of profile (minimum/maximum) is deemed to be sig-
Subject Commentary Section nificant to coating performance, it should be addressed in the
Abrasive Selection ............................................ 6 procurement documents (project specification). Typical profile
Film Thickness ................................................ 10 heights achieved with commercial abrasive media are shown
Wet Abrasive Blast Cleaning .......................... 8.2 in Table 5 of the Surface Preparation Commentary (SSPC-SP
Maintenance Repainting ................................ 4.2 COM). Surface profile should be measured in accordance with
Rust-back (Re-rusting) ................................... 4.5 NACE Standard RP0287 (latest edition), “Field Measurement
Surface Profile ................................................ 6.2 of Surface Profile of Abrasive Blast Cleaned Steel Surfaces
Visual Standards ..............................................11 Using Replica Tape,” or ASTM(1) D 4417 (latest edition), “Test
Welds and Weld Spatter .............................. 4.4.1 Method for Field Measurement of Surface Profile of Blast
Cleaned Steel.”
Appendix A. Explanatory Notes
A.4 VISUAL STANDARDS: Note that the use of visual
A.1 FUNCTION: White metal blast cleaning (SSPC-SP standards or comparators in conjunction with this standard is
5/NACE No. 1) provides the greatest degree of cleaning. It required only when specified in the procurement document
should be used when the highest degree of blast cleaning (project specification) covering the work. However, it is strongly
is required. The primary functions of blast cleaning before recommended that the procurement document require the use
coating are: (a) to remove material from the surface that can of visual standards or comparators. SSPC-VIS 1 provides color
cause early failure of the coating system and (b) to obtain a photographs for the various grades of surface preparation as a
suitable surface roughness and to enhance the adhesion of function of the initial condition of the steel. The series A SP 5,
the new coating system. The hierarchy of blasting standards is B SP 5, C SP 5, D SP 5 and G SP 5 depict surfaces cleaned
as follows: white metal blast cleaning, near-white blast clean- to white metal grade. In addition, the series A-SP 5 M and N
ing, commercial blast cleaning, industrial blast cleaning, and depict surfaces cleaned by various metallic and non-metallic
brush-off blast cleaning. abrasives to SP 5 condition. Other available visual standards
are described in Section 11 of SSPC-SP COM.
A.2 ABRASIVE SELECTION: Types of metallic and non-
metallic abrasives are discussed in the Surface Preparation A.5 SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS: Surface imperfec-
Commentary (SSPC-SP COM). It is important to recognize that tions can cause premature failure when the service is severe.
blasting abrasives may become embedded in or leave residues Coatings tend to pull away from sharp edges and projections,
on the surface of the steel during preparation. While normally leaving little or no coating to protect the underlying steel. Other
such embedment or residues are not detrimental, care should features that are difficult to properly cover and protect include
be taken to ensure that the abrasive is free from detrimental crevices, weld porosities, laminations, etc. The high cost of
amounts of water-soluble, solvent-soluble, acid-soluble, or the methods to remedy surface imperfections requires weigh-
other soluble contaminants (particularly if the prepared steel is ing the benefits of edge rounding, weld spatter removal, etc.,
to be used in an immersion environment). Criteria for selecting versus a potential coating failure.
and evaluating abrasives are given in SSPC-AB 1, “Mineral Poorly adhering contaminants, such as weld slag residues,
and Slag Abrasives,” SSPC-AB 2, “Cleanliness of Recycled loose weld spatter, and some minor surface laminations may
Ferrous Metallic Abrasives,” and SSPC-AB 3, “Ferrous Metallic be removed during the blast cleaning operation. Other surface
Abrasives.” defects (steel laminations, weld porosities, or deep corrosion
pits) may not be evident until the surface preparation has been
A.3 SURFACE PROFILE: Surface profile is the roughness completed. Therefore, proper planning for such surface repair
of the surface which results from abrasive blast cleaning. The work is essential because the timing of the repairs may occur
profile depth (or height) is dependent upon the size, shape, before, during, or after the blast cleaning operation. Section
type, and hardness of the abrasive, particle velocity and angle 4.4 of SSPC-SP COM and NACE Standard RP0178 (latest

(1)
ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

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 SSPC-SP 5/NACE No. 1
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Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

edition), “Fabrication Details, Surface Finish Requirements, A.9 WET ABRASIVE BLAST CLEANING: Steel that
and Proper Design Considerations for Tanks and Vessels to is wet abrasive blast cleaned may rust rapidly. Clean water
be Lined for Immersion Service” contain additional information should be used for rinsing. It may be necessary that inhibitors
on surface imperfections. be added to the water or applied to the surface immediately
after blast cleaning to temporarily prevent rust formation.
A.6 CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION: Steel contami- The use of inhibitors or the application of coating over slight
nated with soluble salts (e.g., chlorides and sulfates) develops discoloration should be in accordance with the requirements
rust-back rapidly at intermediate and high humidities. These of the coating manufacturer. CAUTION: Some inhibitive treat-
soluble salts can be present on the steel surface prior to blast ments may interfere with the performance of certain coating
cleaning as a result of atmospheric contamination. In addition, systems.
contaminants can be deposited on the steel surface during
blast cleaning if the abrasive is contaminated. Therefore, A.10 FILM THICKNESS: It is essential that ample coating
rust-back can be minimized by removing these salts from be applied after blast cleaning to adequately cover the peaks
the steel surface and eliminating sources of recontamination of the surface profile. The dry film thickness of the coating
during and after blast cleaning. Wet methods of removal are above the peaks of the profile should equal the thickness
described in SSPC-SP 12/NACE No. 5. Identification of the known to be needed for the desired protection. If the dry film
contaminants along with their concentrations may be obtained thickness over the peaks is inadequate, premature rust-through
from laboratory and field tests as described in SSPC-TU 4, or failure will occur. To assure that coating thicknesses are
“Field Methods for Retrieval and Analysis of Soluble Salts on properly measured the procedures in SSPC-PA 2 (latest edi-
Substrates.” tion), “Measurement of Dry Coating Thickness with Magnetic
Gauges” should be used.
A.7 RUST-BACK: Rust-back (re-rusting) occurs when
freshly cleaned steel is exposed to moisture, contamination, A.11 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR PAINTING: When
or a corrosive atmosphere. The time interval between blast this standard is used in maintenance painting, specific instruc-
cleaning and rust-back will vary greatly from one environ- tions should be given on the extent of surface to be blast
ment to another. Under mild ambient conditions, if chemical cleaned or spot blast cleaned to this degree of cleanliness.
contamination is not present (see Section A.6), it is best to In these cases, the cleaning shall be performed across the
blast clean and coat a surface the same day. Severe condi- entire area specified. For example, if all weld seams are to be
tions may require more expedient coating application to avoid cleaned in a maintenance operation, this degree of cleaning
contamination from fallout. Chemical contamination should be shall be applied 100% to all weld seams. If the entire structure
removed prior to coating (see Section A.6). is to be prepared, this degree of cleaning shall be applied
to 100% of the entire structure. SSPC-PA Guide 4 (latest
A.8 DEW POINT: Moisture condenses on any surface edition), “Guide to Maintenance Repainting with Oil Base or
that is colder than the dew point of the surrounding air. It is, Alkyd Painting Systems,” provides a description of accepted
therefore, recommended that the temperature of the steel practices for retaining old sound coating, removing unsound
surface be at least 3 °C (5 °F) above the dew point during dry coating, feathering, and spot cleaning.
blast cleaning operations. It is advisable to visually inspect
for moisture and periodically check the surface temperature
and dew point during blast cleaning operations and to avoid
the application of coating over a damp surface.

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