SSPC SP-7-2007

January 1, 2007

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

JoinT SurfaCe PreParaTion STandard

SSPC-SP 7/naCe no. 4

Brush-off Blast Cleaning

International This The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC)/NACE on those individual members who have reviewed this document, (NACE) standard represents a consensus of organizations at the addresses below:

all standards and other publications by contacting the its the consumer, and the general public. Its acceptance does not scope, and provisions. It is intended to aid the manufacturer, ©SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatingsin any respect preclude anyone, whether he has adopted the 40 24th Street, Sixth Floorstandard or not, from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

or using products, processes, or procedures not addressed in (telephone +1 877/281-7772)this standard. Nothing contained in this SSPC/NACE standard is ©NACE International otherwise, to manufacture, sell, or use in connection with any to be construed as granting any right, by implication or 1440 South Creek

method, Houston, TX 77084-4906 or apparatus, or product covered by (telephone +1 281/228-6200)

infringement as indemnifying technology and should in no way be interpreted as a restriction of Letters or Patent. protecting This anyone Letters Patent, standard against represents liability current for foreword

on the use of better procedures or materials. Neither is this standard intended to apply in all cases relating to the subject. Unpredictable circumstances may negate the usefulness of abrasives This joint standard covers this standard in specific instances. SSPC and NACE assume surfaces to achieve a defined degree the use of of cleaning blast cleaning of steel no responsibility for the interpretation or use of this standard lining system. This standard is intended for use by coating prior to the application of a protective coating or by other parties and accept responsibility for only those official or interpretations issued by SSPC or NACE in accordance with may be responsible for defining a standard degree of surface lining specifiers, applicators, inspectors, or others who their governing procedures and policies which preclude the cleanliness.

issuance of interpretations by individual volunteers.

White metal blast cleaning, near-white metal blast cleaning, The focus of this standard is brush-off blast cleaning. for reviewing appropriate health, safety, environmental, and Users of this SSPC/NACE standard are responsible commercial blast cleaning, and industrial blast cleaning are regulatory documents and for determining their applicability addressed in separate standards.

in relation to this standard prior to its use. This SSPC/NACE standard may not necessarily address all potential health and cleaning than industrial blast cleaning (SSPC-SP 14/NACE Brush-off blast cleaning provides a lesser degree of safety No. 81the use of materials, equipment, and/or operations detailed problems or environmental hazards associated with and a brush-off blast cleaning is that the objective of a brush-). The difference between an industrial blast cleaning or referred to within this standard. Users of this SSPC/NACE off blast cleaning is to allow as much of an existing adherent standard coating to remain as possible and to roughen the surface prior health, to coating application, whereas the purpose of the industrial consultation safety, are also responsible for establishing appropriate blast cleaning is to remove most of the coating, mill scale, and to achieve compliance with any existing applicable regulatory with and appropriate environmental regulatory protection authorities practices, if necessary, in rust, while the extra effort required to remove every trace of requirements prior to the use of this standard.

these is determined to be unwarranted.

subject to periodic review, and may be revised or withdrawn at CauTionarY noTiCe: SSPC/NACE standards are revised in 2000 by the SSPC/NACE Task Group A on Surface This joint standard was originally prepared in 1994 and any time in accordance with technical committee procedures. Preparation by Abrasive Blast Cleaning. This joint task group SSPC and NACE includes revise, or withdraw this standard no later than five years from require that action be taken to reaffirm, Committee and the NACE Unit Committee T-6G on Surface members of both the SSPC Surface Preparation the date of initial publication. The user is cautioned to obtain Preparation. It was reaffirmed in 2006 by the SSPC Surface the latest edition. Purchasers may receive current information

Preparation Group Committee, and Preparation.

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In SSPC/NACE standards, shall and must are used to state mandatory requirements. Should is used to state that which is considered good and is recommended but is not absolutely mandatory. May is used to state that which is considered optional.

3.2 If there is a conflict between the requirements of any of the documents listed in paragraph 3.3 and this standard, the requirements of this standard shall prevail.

3.3 Documents cited in the mandatory sections of this standard include:

document SSPC-AB 13 SSPC-AB 24 SSPC-AB 35 SSPC-SP 16 SSPC-VIS 1

Title

Mineral and Slag Abrasives

Cleanliness of Recycled Ferrous Metallic Abrasives

Ferrous Metallic AbrasivesSolvent Cleaning

Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry Abrasive Blast Cleaning

Section 1: General

1.1 This joint standard covers the requirements for brush-off blast cleaning of uncoated or coated steel surfaces by the use of abrasives. These requirements include the end condi-tion of the surface and materials and procedures necessary to achieve and verify the end condition.

1.2 The mandatory requirements are described in Sections 1 to 9. Section 10, “Comments,” and Appendix A, “Explanatory Notes,” are not mandatory requirements of this standard.

1.3 Information about the function of brush-off blast cleaning is in Paragraph A1 of Appendix A.

1.4 Information about use of this standard in maintenance coating work is in Paragraph A2 of Appendix A.

Section 4: Procedures Before Cleaning

4.1 Before blast cleaning, visible deposits of oil, grease, or other contaminants shall be removed in accordance with SSPC-SP 1 or other agreed-upon methods.

4.2 Before blast cleaning, surface imperfections such as sharp fins, sharp edges, weld spatter, or burning slag should be removed from the surface to the extent required by the procurement documents (project specification). Additional information on surface imperfections is in Paragraph A4 of Appendix A.

4.3 If reference photographs or comparators are specified to supplement the written standard, the condition of the steel prior to blast cleaning should be determined before the blasting commences. Additional information on reference photographs and comparators is in Paragraph A3 of Appendix A.

Section 2: Definitions

2.1 Brush-off Blast Cleaned Surface: A brush-off blast cleaned surface, when viewed without magnification, shall be free of all visible oil, grease, dirt, dust, loose mill scale, loose rust, and loose coating. Tightly adherent mill scale, rust, and coating may remain on the surface. Mill scale, rust, and coating are considered tightly adherent if they cannot be removed by lifting with a dull putty knife after abrasive blast cleaning has been performed.

2.1.1 The entire surface shall be subjected to the abrasive blast. The remaining mill scale, rust, or coating shall be tight. Flecks of the underlying steel need not be exposed whenever the original substrate consists of intact coating.

2.1.2 SSPC-VIS 12 may be specified to supplement the written definition. In any dispute, the written definition set forth in this standard shall take precedence over reference photographs and comparators. Additional information on reference photographs and comparators is in Paragraph A3 of Appendix A.

Section 5: Blast Cleaning Methods and operation

5.1 Clean, dry compressed air shall be used for nozzle blasting. Moisture separators, oil separators, traps, or other equipment may be necessary to achieve this requirement.5.2 Any of the following methods of surface preparation may be used to achieve a brush-off blast cleaned surface:5.2.1 Dry abrasive blasting using compressed air, blast nozzles, and abrasive.

5.2.2 Dry abrasive blasting using a closed-cycle, recir-culating abrasive system with compressed air, blast nozzle, and abrasive, with or without vacuum for dust and abrasive recovery.

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3.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the docu-ments listed in paragraph 3.3 in effect on the date of invitation to bid shall govern unless otherwise specified.

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5.2.3 Dry abrasive blasting using a closed-cycle, recircu-lating abrasive system with centrifugal wheels and abrasive.5.3 Other methods of surface preparation (such as wet abrasive blast cleaning) may be used to achieve a brush-off blast cleaned surface by mutual agreement between those responsible for establishing the requirements and those responsible for performing the work. Information on the use of inhibitors to prevent the formation of rust immediately after wet abrasive blast cleaning is in Paragraph A5 of Appendix A.

7.2.1 The presence of toxic metals in the abrasives or coating being removed may place restrictions on the methods of cleaning permitted. The chosen method shall comply with all applicable regulations.

7.2.2 Moisture separators, oil separators, traps, or other equipment may be necessary to achieve clean, dry air.7.3 After blast cleaning, any remaining surface imperfec-tions (e.g., sharp fins, sharp edges, weld spatter, burning slag, scabs, slivers) shall be removed to the extent required by the procurement documents (project specification). Any damage to the surface profile resulting from the removal of surface imperfections shall be corrected to meet the requirements of Paragraph 6.5. Additional information on surface imperfections is in Paragraph A4 of Appendix A.

7.4 Immediately prior to coating application, the entire surface shall comply with the degree of cleaning specified in this standard. Information on chemical contamination, rust-back (rerusting), and the effect of dew point (surface condensation) is in Paragraphs A9, A10, and A11 of Appendix A.

Section 6: Blast Cleaning abrasives

6.1 The selection of abrasive size and type shall be based on the type, grade, and surface condition of the steel to be cleaned, the type of blast cleaning system used, the finished surface to be produced (cleanliness and surface profile [rough-ness]), and whether the abrasive will be recycled.

6.2 The cleanliness and size of recycled abrasives shall be maintained to ensure compliance with this standard.6.3 The blast cleaning abrasive shall be dry and free of oil, grease, and other contaminants as determined by the test methods found in SSPC-AB 1, SSPC-AB 2, and SSPC-AB 3. 6.4 Any limitations on the use of specific abrasives, the quantity of contaminants, or the degree of allowable embed-ment shall be included in the procurement documents (project specification) covering the work, because abrasive embedment and abrasives containing contaminants may not be accept-able for some service requirements. Additional information on abrasive selection is in Paragraph A6 of Appendix A.6.5 When a coating is specified, the cleaned surface shall be roughened to a degree suitable for the specified coating system. Additional information on surface profile and the film thickness of coating applied over the surface profile is in Paragraphs A7 and A8 of Appendix A.

Section 8: inspection

8.1 Work performed and materials supplied under this standard are subject to inspection by a representative of those responsible for establishing the requirements. Materials and work areas shall be accessible to the inspector. The proce-dures and times of inspection shall be as agreed upon by those responsible for establishing the requirements and those responsible for performing the work.

8.2 Conditions not complying with this standard shall be corrected. In the case of a dispute, an arbitration or settlement procedure established in the procurement documents (project specification) shall be followed. If no arbitration or settlement procedure is established, a procedure mutually agreeable to purchaser and supplier shall be used.

8.3 The procurement documents (project specification) should establish the responsibility for inspection and for any required affidavit certifying compliance with the specification.

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--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---Section 7: Procedures following Blast Cleaning and immediately Prior to Coating

7.1 Visible deposits of oil, grease, or other contaminants shall be removed according to SSPC-SP 1 or another method agreed upon by those parties responsible for establishing the requirements and those responsible for performing the work.7.2 Dust and loose residues shall be removed from prepared surfaces by brushing; blowing off with clean, dry air; vacuum cleaning; or other methods agreed upon by those responsible for establishing the requirements and those responsible for performing the work.

Section 9: Safety and environmental requirements

9.1 Because abrasive blast cleaning is a hazardous opera-tion, all work shall be conducted in compliance with applicable occupational and environmental health and safety rules and regulations.

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Section 10: Comments (nonmandatory)

10.1 Additional information and data relative to this standard are in Appendix A. Detailed information and data are presented in SSPC-SP COM.7 The recommendations in Appendix A and SSPC-SP COM are believed to represent good practice, but are not to be considered requirements of the standard. The sections of SSPC-SP COM that discuss subjects related to brush-off blast cleaning are listed below.

Subject CommentaryCommentary SectionSectionAbrasive Selection...............................................6Film Thickness ..................................................10Maintenance Repainting...................................4.2Reference Photographs ....................................11Rust-Back (Rerusting) ......................................4.5Surface Profile ..................................................6.2Weld Spatter ..................................................4.4.1Wet Abrasive Blast Cleaning ............................8.2

10. NACE Standard RP0287 (latest revision), “Field Measure-ment of Surface Profile of Abrasive Blast-Cleaned Steel Surfaces Using a Replica Tape” (Houston, TX: NACE).11. ASTM(1) D 4417 (latest revision), “Standard Test Methods for Field Measurement of Surface Profile of Blast Cleaned Steel” (West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM).

12. SSPC-PA 2 (latest revision), “Measurement of Dry Coating Thickness with Magnetic Gages” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).13. SSPC-SP 12/NACE No. 5 (latest revision), “Surface Prepa-ration and Cleaning of Metals by Waterjetting Prior to Recoating” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC, and Houston, TX: NACE).

14. SSPC-Guide 15 (latest revision), “Field Methods for Retrieval and Analysis of Soluble Salts on Steel and Other Nonporous Substrates” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).

references

1. SSPC-SP 14/NACE No. 8 (latest revision), “Industrial Blast Cleaning” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC, and Houston, TX: NACE).2. SSPC-VIS 1 (latest revision), “Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry Abrasive Blast Cleaning” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).

3. SSPC-AB 1 (latest revision), “Mineral and Slag Abrasives” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).

4. SSPC-AB 2 (latest revision), “Cleanliness of Recycled Ferrous Metallic Abrasives” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).

5. SSPC-AB 3 (latest revision), “Ferrous Metallic Abrasives” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).

6. SSPC-SP 1 (latest revision), “Solvent Cleaning” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).

7. SSPC-SP COM (latest revision), “Surface Preparation Commentary for Steel and Concrete Substrates” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).

8. SSPC-PA Guide 4 (latest revision), “Guide to Maintenance Repainting with Oil Base or Alkyd Painting Systems” (Pittsburgh, PA: SSPC).

9. NACE Standard SP0178 (formerly RP1078-2003) (latest revision), “Design, Fabrication, and Surface Finish Practices for Tanks and Vessels to Be Lined for Immersion Service” (Houston, TX: NACE).

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appendix a: explanatory notes (nonmandatory)

a1 funCTion: Brush-off blast cleaning (SSPC-SP 7/NACE No. 4) provides a lesser degree of cleaning than industrial blast cleaning (SSPC-SP 14/NACE No. 8). It should be used when the service environment is mild enough to permit tight mill scale, coating, rust, and other foreign matter to remain on the surface. The primary functions of blast cleaning before coating are (a) to remove material from the surface that can cause early failure of the coating and (b) to obtain a suitable surface profile (roughness) to enhance the adhesion of the new coating system. The hierarchy of blasting standards is as follows: white metal blast cleaning, near-white metal blast cleaning, commercial blast cleaning, industrial blast cleaning, and brush-off blast cleaning.

a2 MainTenanCe CoaTinG WorK: When this stan-dard is used in maintenance coating work, specific instructions should be provided on the extent of surface to be blast cleaned or spot blast cleaned to this degree of cleanliness. In these cases, this degree of cleaning applies to the entire specified area. For example, if all weld seams are to be cleaned in a maintenance operation, this degree of cleaning applies to 100 percent of all weld seams. If the entire structure is to be prepared, this degree of cleaning applies to 100 percent of the entire structure. SSPC-PA Guide 48 provides a description of accepted practices for retaining old sound coating, removing unsound coating, feathering, and spot cleaning.

a3 referenCe PHoToGraPHS and CoMPara-TorS: SSPC-VIS 1 provides color photographs for the various grades of surface cleaning as a function of the initial condition of the steel. The photographs A SP 7, B SP 7, C SP 7, D SP 7, G1 SP 7, G2 SP 7, and G3 SP 7 depict surfaces cleaned to brush-

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

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off blast grade. Other available reference photographs and comparators are described in Section 11 of SSPC-SP COM.a4 SurfaCe iMPerfeCTionS: Surface imperfections can cause premature coating failure when the service is severe. Coatings tend to pull away from sharp edges and projections, leaving little or no coating to protect the underlying steel. Other features that are difficult to cover and protect properly include crevices, weld porosities, laminations, etc. The high cost of the methods to remedy surface imperfections (such as edge rounding and weld spatter removal) should be weighed against the costs of a potential coating failure.

Poorly adhering contaminants, such as weld slag residues, loose weld spatter, and some minor surface laminations, may be removed during the blast cleaning operation. Other surface defects (steel laminations, weld porosities, or deep corrosion pits) may not be evident until the surface cleaning has been completed. Repair of such surface defects should be planned properly because the timing of the repairs may occur before, during, or after the blast cleaning operation. Section 4.4 of SSPC-SP COM and NACE Standard SP017 contain additional information on surface imperfections.

a5 WeT aBraSiVe BLaST CLeaninG: Steel that is wet abrasive blast cleaned may rust rapidly. Clean water should be used for rinsing. It may be necessary to add inhibitors to the water or apply them to the surface immediately after blast cleaning to temporarily prevent rust formation. The use of inhibitors or the application of coating over slight discoloration should be in accordance with the requirements of the coating manufacturer. CauTion: Some inhibitive treatments may interfere with the performance of certain coating systems.a6 aBraSiVe SeLeCTion: Types of metallic and nonmetallic abrasives are discussed in SSPC-SP COM. Blasting abrasives may become embedded in, or leave residues on, the surface of the steel during cleaning. While such embedment or residues are normally not detrimental, care should be taken to ensure that the abrasive is free from detrimental amounts of water-soluble, solvent-soluble, acid-soluble, or other soluble contaminants (particularly if the cleaned steel is to be used in an immersion environment). Criteria for selecting and evaluating abrasives are in SSPC-AB 1, SSPC-AB 2, and SSPC-AB 3.a7 SurfaCe ProfiLe: Surface profile is the rough-ness of the surface that results from abrasive blast cleaning. The profile height is dependent on the size, shape, type, and hardness of the abrasive, particle velocity and angle of impact, hardness of the surface, amount of abrasive recycling, and the proper maintenance of working mixtures of grit and/or shot.

The allowable minimum/maximum height of profile is usually dependent on the thickness of the coating to be applied. Large particle-sized abrasives (particularly metallic) can produce a surface profile that may be too high to be adequately covered by a single thin-film coat. Accordingly, the use of larger abrasives should be avoided in these cases. However,

larger abrasives may be needed for thick-film coatings or to facilitate removal of thick coatings, heavy mill scale, or rust. If control of surface profile (minimum/maximum) is deemed to be significant to coating performance, it should be addressed in the procurement documents (project specification). Typical surface profile heights achieved with commercial abrasive media are shown in Table 6 of SSPC-SP COM. Surface profile should be measured in accordance with NACE Standard RP028710 or ASTM D 4417.11

a8 fiLM THiCKneSS: It is essential that ample coating be applied after blast cleaning to adequately cover the peaks of the surface profile. The dry-film thickness of the coating above the peaks of the profile should equal the thickness known to be needed for the desired protection. If the dry-film thickness over the peaks is inadequate, premature rust-through or coating failure will occur. To ensure that coating thicknesses are properly measured, the procedures in SSPC-PA 212 should be used.

a9 CHeMiCaL ConTaMinaTion: Steel contaminated with soluble salts (e.g., chlorides and sulfates) develops rust-back rapidly at intermediate and high levels of humidity. These soluble salts can be present on the steel surface prior to blast cleaning as a result of atmospheric contamination. In addition, contaminants can be deposited on the steel surface during blast cleaning if the abrasive is contaminated. Therefore, rust-back can be minimized by removing these salts from the steel surface and eliminating sources of recontamination during and after blast cleaning. Wet methods of removal are described in SSPC-SP 12/NACE No. 5.13 Identification of the contaminants along with their concentrations may be obtained from labora-tory and field tests as described in SSPC-Guide 15.14 a10 ruST-BaCK: Rust-back (rerusting) occurs when freshly cleaned steel is exposed to moisture, contamination, or a corrosive atmosphere. The time interval between blast cleaning and rust-back varies greatly from one environment to another. Under mild ambient conditions, if chemical contami-nation (see Paragraph A9) is not present, it is best to blast clean and coat a surface on the same day. Severe conditions may require a more expeditious coating application to avoid contamination from fallout. Chemical contamination should be removed prior to coating.

a11 deW PoinT: Moisture condenses on any surface that is colder than the dew point of the surrounding air. It is therefore recommended that the temperature of the steel surface be at least 3 °C (5 °F) above the dew point during dry 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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