Summary of Defect P1-P2-P3 GRADES

Summary of defect and P1, P2, P3 grades differences
according to ISO 8501-3
1. Welds Defects .............................................................................................. 3

1.1 Weld Spatter .......................................................................................... 3
1.2 Weld Ripple/Profile .................................................................................. 4
1.3 Weld Slag .............................................................................................. 5
1.4 Undercut ............................................................................................... 6
1.5 Weld Porosity ......................................................................................... 7
1.6 Weld End Crater ..................................................................................... 8
2. Edge Defects ............................................................................................... 9
2.1 Rolled Edges .......................................................................................... 9
2.2 Edges: Punch, Shear, Saw, Drill.............................................................. 10
2.3 Thermally Cut Edges ............................................................................. 11
3. Steel surfaces Defect .................................................................................. 12
3.1 Pits and Craters .................................................................................... 12
3.2 Shelling/Slivers/Hackles ........................................................................ 13
3.3 Roll Overs/Cut Laminations .................................................................... 14
3.4 Rolled-in Extraneous Matter ................................................................... 15
3.5 Groves and Gouges ............................................................................... 16
3.6 Indentations and Roll Marks ................................................................... 17
1
ISO 8501-3, ‘Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and
related products’, sorts defects into three categories:
• Welds
• Edges
• Steel surfaces in general
Making the Grade

There are three grades for steel surfaces dealing with visible imperfections as
set out by ISO 8501-3:
P1 Light Preparation: no preparation or only minimum preparation needs to

be carried out before application of paint;
P2 Thorough Preparation: most visible imperfections are remedied;
P3 Extensive Preparation: the surface is free from significant visible

imperfections.
2
Imperfections, Defects and Preparation Grades Revealed
1. Welds Defects
1.1 Weld Spatter
During the transfer of wire to weld, there is a disturbance in the molten weld
pool. This disturbance, usually caused by the voltage being too low or
amperage being too high, causes weld matter to fulminate onto the steel
surface.
Preparation Grades
P1 - Free of all loose weld spatter (a)

P2 - Free of all loose and lightly adhering weld spatter (a+b)
P3 - Surface must be free of all weld spatter. (a + b + c)
3
1.2 Weld Ripple/Profile
Surface oscillations in the weld pool solidifies as a ripple along the length of the
bead profile.
Preparation Grades
P1 – No Preparation
P2 – Surface shall be dressed to remove irregular and sharp-edged profiles
P3 – Surface shall be fully dressed, i.e. smooth
4
1.3 Weld Slag
The deoxidisation process between the flux coating, air and surface; the result
of which is deposited as a residue on and around the weld bead.
Preparation Grades
P1 – Surface shall be free from welding slag

5
1.4 Undercut
A weld flaw; a groove or crater near the toe of the weld bead resulting in a
weak bond, and is prone to cracking.
Preparation Grades
P1 – No preparation
P2 – Surface shall be free from sharp or deep undercuts
P3 – Surface shall be totally free from sharp or undercuts
6
1.5 Weld Porosity
Weld porosity is a common welding defect. When you apply a torch to treated
metal, gasses are released and absorbed into the molten metal. As the metal
cools, the gasses are released from the metal, forming pores.
Preparation Grades
1 – Visible
2 – Invisible (might open after abrasive blast cleaning)
P2 – Surface pores shall be sufficiently open to allow penetration of paint
P3 – Surface shall be free from visible pores
7
1.6 Weld End Crater
This defect occurs where the arc has broken, resulting in a crater. This defect
is often the result of incorrect weld technique.
Preparation Grades
P2 – End craters shall be free from sharp edges
P3 – Surface shall be free from visible end craters
8
2. Edge Defects
2.1 Rolled Edges
When an edge has formed to transition from one surface plane to another
surface plane in a gradual curvilinear fashion.
Preparation Grades
P3 – Edges shall be rounded with a radius of not less than 2 mm
9
2.2 Edges: Punch, Shear, Saw, Drill
Edge transitions made during fabrication by punching, shearing, sawing or

drilling tools.
Preparation Grades
P1 – No part of the edge shall be sharp; the edge shall be free from fins
P2 – No part of the edge shall be sharp; the edge shall be free from fins
P3 – Edges shall be rounded with a radius of not less than 2 mm
10
2.3 Thermally Cut Edges
When a plasma, oxygen fuel or other thermal process is used to cut steel.
Preparation Grades
P1 – Surface shall be free from slag and loose scale

P2 – No part of the edge shall have an irregular profile
P3 – Cut face shall be removed, and edges shall be round as defined under
edge chapter
11
3. Steel surfaces Defect
3.1 Pits and Craters
When corrosion, of an extremely localised variety, leads to small perforations

on the steel substrate.
Preparation Grades
P1 – Pits and craters shall be sufficiently open to allow penetration of paint

P2 – Pits and craters shall be sufficiently open to allow penetration of paint
P3 – Surface shall be free from pits and craters
12
3.2 Shelling/Slivers/Hackles
A layer of corrosion in steel causing the corroded surface to separate and lift,
leaving an interlocking flaky shell texture.
Preparation Grades
P1 – Surface shall be free from lifted material

P2 – Surface shall be free from visible shelling
P3 – Surface shall be free from visible shelling
13
3.3 Roll Overs/Cut Laminations
A fabrication defect cutting into the surface causing a thin protruding slice.
Preparation Grades
P1 – Surface shall be free from lifted material

P2 – Surface shall be free from visible roll-overs/cut laminations
P3 – Surface shall be free from visible roll-overs/cut laminations
14
3.4 Rolled-in Extraneous Matter
A defect occurring during the fabrication process where foreign matter is

caught under a mechanical roller and embedded into the steel surface.
Preparation Grades
P1 – Surface shall be free from rolled-in extraneous matter

15
3.5 Groves and Gouges
A disfigured burrow or rough opening found on a steel surface, typically caused

by mishandling.
Preparation Grades
P2 – The radius of grooves and gouges shall be no less than 2 mm
P3 – Surface shall be free from grooves and gouges
16
3.6 Indentations and Roll Marks
A deep furrow or recess in the steel substrate, typically caused by mechanical

manipulation.
Preparation Grades
P2 – Indentations and roll marks shall be smooth
P3 – Surface shall be free from indentations and roll marks
17

Summary of Defect P1-P2-P3 GRADES

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What are the three categories of steel surface defects according to ISO 8501-3?

What are the three categories of steel surface defects according to ISO 8501-3?

What are the three grades (P1, P2, P3) used for steel surfaces according to ISO 8501-3 and what do they represent?

What are the three grades (P1, P2, P3) used for steel surfaces according to ISO 8501-3 and what do they represent?

Summary of defect and P1, P2, P3 grades differences

according to ISO 8501-3

1. Welds Defects .............................................................................................. 3

• Steel surfaces in general

Making the Grade

P1 Light Preparation: no preparation or only minimum preparation needs to

P2 Thorough Preparation: most visible imperfections are remedied;

P3 Extensive Preparation: the surface is free from significant visible

1.1 Weld Spatter

P1 - Free of all loose weld spatter (a)

P1 – Surface shall be free from welding slag

2.1 Rolled Edges

Edge transitions made during fabrication by punching, shearing, sawing or

P1 – Surface shall be free from slag and loose scale

3.1 Pits and Craters

When corrosion, of an extremely localised variety, leads to small perforations

P1 – Pits and craters shall be sufficiently open to allow penetration of paint

P1 – Surface shall be free from lifted material

P1 – Surface shall be free from lifted material

A defect occurring during the fabrication process where foreign matter is

P1 – Surface shall be free from rolled-in extraneous matter

A disfigured burrow or rough opening found on a steel surface, typically caused

A deep furrow or recess in the steel substrate, typically caused by mechanical

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