SSPC-AB 1

January 12, 2015

Editorial Revision May 6, 2019

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

Abrasive Standard No. 1
Mineral and Slag Abrasives

1. Scope The definition and requirements for Classes A, B, and C

are given in Section 4.1.7 and subsections.
1.1 This standard contains requirements for classification,
evaluation, and performance of mineral and slag or other 2.4 The abrasive grades and associated profile ranges
by-product abrasives used for blast cleaning steel and other are listed below:
surfaces for painting and other purposes. Grade 1 - Abrasives that produce surface profiles of 0.5
to 1.5 mils (13 to 38 micrometers [µm]) when
1.2 The abrasives covered by this standard are primarily tested in accordance with Section 4.1.8.
intended for one-time use without recycling, however, some Grade 2 - Abrasives that produce surface profiles of
media are capable of being recycled. Requirements for work 1.0 to 2.5 mils (25 to 64 µm) when tested in
mixes containing recycled media are contained in Sections accordance with Section 4.1.8.
4.4.1 and 4.4.2. Grade 3 - Abrasives that produce surface profiles of
2.0 to 3.5 mils (51 to 89 µm) when tested in
1.3 Unless otherwise specified, the requirements of this accordance with Section 4.1.8.
standard are contained in Sections 2 through 6. Grade 4 - Abrasives that produce surface profiles of 3.0
to 5.0 mils (75 to 127 µm) when tested in
1.4 When specified, the requirements of Appendix B accordance with Section 4.1.8.
become mandatory requirements of this standard in addition to Grade 5 - Abrasives that produce surface profiles of 4.0
the requirements of Sections 2 through 6, and take precedence to 6.0 mils (102 to 152 µm) when tested in
over any conflicting requirements in Sections 2 through 6. accordance with Section 4.1.8.
The purchaser has the option to designate other profile
2. Description ranges.

2.1 The abrasives are categorized into two types, three 2.5 Definitions
classes and five grades as described below. Normally the
user shall specify the types, classes and grades required. If Qualification tests are tests that are run to qualify that a
no abrasive type is specified, then either Type I or Type II is material meets the requirements of the standard.
considered acceptable. If no abrasive class is specified, then
any class will be considered acceptable. If no abrasive profile Conformance tests are tests that are per­formed to verify
grade is specified, the abrasive shall satisfy the requirements that the material being submitted has the same properties as
of any of the five grades listed. the material that initially qualified.

2.2 The following abrasive types are included: Quality control tests are field tests that are performed to
Type I - Natural Mineral Abrasives: These are naturally verify that the material complies with specified requirements
occurring minerals, including, but not limited to, immediately prior to use. A summary of required tests and
quartz sands, flint, garnet, staurolite, and olivine responsibilities for testing is provided in Appendix D.
that meet the performance requirements of this
standard. 3. Referenced Standards
Type II - By-Product or Manufactured Abrasives:
Slag, manufactured, or by-product materials 3.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the refer­
that meet the performance requirements of this enced standards in effect on the date of invitation to bid shall
standard. govern unless otherwise stated. Those documents marked
with an asterisk (*) are referenced only in the Notes, which are
2.3 The following abrasive classes are included. not requirements of this standard.
Class A - Crystalline silica less than or equal to 1.0
percent (%) 3.2 If there is a conflict between the requirements of
Class B - Crystalline silica less than or equal to 5.0% any of the cited reference standards and this standard, the
Class C - Unrestricted crystalline silica requirements of this standard shall prevail.

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SSPC-AB 1
January 12, 2015
Editorial Revision May 6, 2019
3.3 SSPC STANDARDS: material under low-power microscope (10X) and if grains of
different colors or character are present, select a few grains
VIS 1 Guide and Reference Photographs of each color type. Place in succession a minimum of three of
for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry the grains thus differentiated between two glass microscope
Abrasive Blast Cleaning slides. While applying pressure, slowly move one slide over
SP 10 Near-White Blast Cleaning the other with a reciprocating motion for 10 seconds. Examine
PA 17 Procedure for Determining Conformance the glass surface, and if scratched, the material shall be
to Specified Steel Profile/Surface considered as having a minimum hardness of 6 on the Mohs
Roughness/Peak Count Requirements scale. If more than 25% of the grains by count fail to scratch
the glass surface, the abrasive does not meet this standard.
3.4 AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND
MATERI­ALS (ASTM) STANDARDS:1 4.1.3 Weight Change on Ignition: The maximum permis­
sible loss on ignition is 1.0% and the maximum permissible
C128 Standard Test Method for Density, gain is 5.0% when tested as follows: A representative portion of
Relative Density, (Specific Gravity) and the sample shall be ground in an agate mortar and thoroughly
Absorption of Fine Aggregate dried at 105 to 110 degrees centigrade (°C) (220 to 230 degrees
C136 Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis Fahrenheit [°F]) for one hour. Transfer approximately 1 gram of
of Fine and Coarse Aggregates the dried sample to a tared crucible with cover and weigh to the
C566 Standard Test Method for Total nearest milligram. Cautiously heat the crucible with contents,
Evaporable Moisture Content of at first partially covered, and then at approximately 750 ± 50 °C
Aggregate by Drying (1382 ± 90 °F) covered. Hold at 750 ± 50 °C (1382 ± 90 °F) for
C702 Standard Practice for Reducing 30 minutes, then cool in a desiccator and reweigh. The percent
Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size of weight change shall be computed as follows:
D75 Standard Practice for Sampling
Aggre­gates percent weight change = (final weight – original weight) x 100
original weight
D4940 Standard Test Method for Conducti­
metric Analysis of Water Soluble Ionic 4.1.4 Water Soluble Contaminants: The conductivity of
Contaminants of Blasting Abrasives the abrasive shall not exceed 1000 micromhos/cm (1 mho =
D7393 Standard Practice for Indicating Oil in 1 siemen) when tested in accordance with ASTM D4940 (see
Abrasives Note 8.1).
E18 Standard Test Methods for Rockwell
Hardness of Metallic Materials 4.1.5 Moisture Content: The maximum moisture content
shall be 0.5% by weight, when tested in accordance with
3.5 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL ASTM C566.
SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH)2
4.1.6 Oil Content: When tested in accordance with ASTM
Method 7500 Silica, crystalline, by XRD (filter redeposition)
D7393 no oil shall be visible on the surface of the water or as
an emulsion.
4. Requirements
4.1.7 Crystalline Silica Content: All abrasives shall be
4.1 Qualification Tests: Unless otherwise specified,
classed based on crystalline silica content in accordance with
the supplier shall provide documentation certifying that the
NIOSH Method 7500. Abrasives designated as Class A or B
abrasive delivered complies with the requirements of Sections
must meet the require­ments of Sections 4.1.7.1 or 4.1.7.2,
4.1.1 through 4.1.10.3. The required documentation shall be
respectively.
furnished by a testing facility that meets the requirements of
Section 6.2. Qualification testing shall be performed every 2
4.1.7.1 Class A - Less Than 1% Crystalline Silica: Abra­
years unless otherwise specified.
sives shall contain no more than 1.0% by weight of crystal­line
silica.
4.1.1 Specific Gravity: The specific gravity shall be a
minimum of 2.5 as determined by ASTM C128. 4.1.7.2 Class B - Less than 5% Crystalline Silica:
Abrasives shall contain no more than 5.0% by weight of
4.1.2 Hardness: The hardness shall be a minimum
crystalline silica.
of 6 on the Mohs scale when tested as follows: Examine a
random sample of 5 grams (or 2 cubic centimeters) of the
4.1.7.3 Class C - Unrestricted Crystalline Silica: No
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ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. For restrictions on crystalline silica content.
referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website <https://www.astm.org/>. For Annual
Book of ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary
page on the ASTM website 4.1.8 Surface Profile: Unless otherwise specified,
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health standards are available online from
the abrasive supplier shall provide documentation that the
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<http://www.cdc.gov/NIOSH/srchpage.html>. Enter the number of the method at this

search page to download a .pdf file. average surface profile, when determined in accordance with

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 SSPC-AB 1
January 12, 2015
Editorial Revision May 6, 2019
the description below, is within the ranges specified in Section delivered is consistent with the material ordered, the abrasive
2.4 when measured in accordance with SSPC-PA 17 using shall meet the requirements of Sections 4.1.2, 4.1.3 (if required
ASTM D4417 Method C (see Note 8.2).Steel test plates for by Appendix B), 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.1.6, and 4.1.9 (see Appendix D).
performance evaluations shall meet a Rockwell hardness of
76 ± 5 HRBW when tested in accordance with ASTM E18. 4.3 Quality Control Tests for New Media: Unless
A representative sample of the material shall be obtained otherwise specified, the end user of the abrasive (e.g., shop
in accordance with ASTM D75 and used to abrasive blast a or contractor) shall perform field testing immediately prior to
61-centimeter [cm] x 61-cm x 6-millimeter [mm] (or 2-foot [ft] use at a minimum frequency of one test per every 50 bags of
x 2-ft x ¼-inch) steel plate having intact mill scale (SSPC-VIS abrasive or three tests per bulk shipment of abrasive to verify
1 Rust Grade A) to a cleanliness of SSPC-SP 10 (Near- compliance with Sections 4.1.4 (Conductivity), and 4.1.6 (Oil
White Metal Blast Cleaning). A minimum 3550-cm2 (550-inch2 Contamination) of this standard. Refer to Section 5.3 and
[approximately 4-ft2]) area of the plate shall be blast cleaned. subsections for sampling procedures for conductivity and oil
The blasting shall be done using a 9.5-mm (3/8-inch) #6 or contamination testing.
6.3-mm (1/4-inch) #4 venturi nozzle with a nozzle pressure of
670 ± 35 kilopascals [kPa] (95 ± 5 psig) at a distance of 61 ± 4.4 Quality Control Tests for Recycled Work Mix:
15 cm (24 ± 6 inches) from the surface at an angle of 75 to 105
degrees. 4.4.1 Unless otherwise specified, the cleaned abrasive
work mix shall meet the requirements of Sections 4.1.4 and
4.1.9 Particle Size Distribution 4.1.6 when tested immediately prior to use at a minimum
frequency of once every 8 hours or every work shift, whichever
4.1.9.1 The sieves used to characterize an abrasive is shorter. Refer to Section 5.3 and subsections for sampling
sample to meet the abrasive grades (or profile ranges) defined procedures for conductivity and oil contamination testing.
in Section 2.4 shall include a combination of a minimum of
four mesh sizes, starting with the size that allows 100% 4.4.2 Unless otherwise specified, the cleaned abrasive
passing and ending with the size having 95% retention. Sieve work mix shall have a particle size distribution capable of
analysis shall be performed in accordance with ASTM C136. producing and maintaining the specified profile range when
The abrasive manufacturer shall designate the maximum evaluated by preparing a 61 x 61 cm (2 x 2 ft) test area and
and minimum percentage retention on each mesh size used. determining profile in accordance with SSPC-PA 17 using
Upon request, the manufacturer shall substantiate that the ASTM D4417 Method C (replica tape).
abrasive grade designated for a specific product will meet the
purchaser’s required profile range when tested in accordance 4.5 Additional Optional Performance Tests: Optional
with Section 4.1.8. performance tests for abrasive consumption rate and abrasive
cleaning rate are described in Appendix A.
4.1.9.2 The supplier-designated sieve size distribution and
ranges shall become the acceptance standard for the specific 5. Qualification Testing and Conformance Test­ing
abrasive submitted (see Section 6).
The specific responsibilities for qualification testing
4.1.10 Health and Safety Requirements and conformance testing are normally established in the
procurement documents. Unless otherwise specified, the
4.1.10.1 The abrasive material as supplied shall comply supplier is responsible for performing and documenting the
with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (see qualification and conformance tests called for in this standard
Note 8.3). The abrasive supplier shall provide a letter stating (see Note 8.4).
that the abrasives do not contain any hazardous materials
at levels that would cause the abrasive to be classified as a 5.1 Sampling for Qualification Tests
hazardous waste under current guidelines at the location of use
(e.g., U.S. EPA limits as listed under Federal Register, Vol. 55, 5.1.1 Bagged Abrasive: Three or more sacks of abra­sive
paragraph 261.24, Maximum Concentration of Contaminants shall be randomly selected from each inspection lot. The sacks
for the Toxicity Characteristic). shall be mixed and separated and a 50-kg (110-lb) composite
sample prepared in accordance with ASTM C702.
4.1.10.2 The manufacturer shall provide the purchaser
with sufficiently detailed chemical analyses to pro­vide the 5.1.2 Bulk Abrasive: A 50-kg (110-lb) composite sample
protective engineering and administrative controls for blast shall be obtained from the blended finished product in accor­
cleaning identified in federal, state, and local codes. dance with ASTM D75 (see Note 8.5).

4.1.10.3 Safety Data Sheets shall be furnished for all 5.2 Sampling for Conformance Tests
abrasive materials supplied.
5.2.1 Bagged Abrasive: One sack of abrasive shall be
4.2 Conformance Tests: If the purchaser of the abrasive randomly selected from each inspection lot and a 2-kg (4-lb)
requires batch or lot testing to confirm that the material composite sample prepared in accordance with ASTM C702.