Codes and Standards

The pictorial standard, SSPC-Vis 2, described below was prepared by the American Society for Testing and Materials with input from the Steel Structures Painting Council and has been jointly approved by both organizations. Copies of the pictorial standard can be obtained from either of these associations.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide only describes the pictorial standard and does not constitute the standard. It is to be used for comparative purposes and is not intended to have a direct relationship to a decision regarding painting requirements.

2. Description

2.1 The pictorial rusting standard consists of a series of color photographs that represent various amounts of visible rusting on painted steel surfaces.

2.2 The standard illustrates four levels of rusting on painted steel surfaces that range from 0.03% to 10% rust. These levels correspond to rust grades of g, 8, 6, and 4.

2.3 The rust grading scale ranges from 10 (no rusting or less than 0.01% rusted) to 0 (100% rusted). This numerical rust grade scale is an exponential function of the amount of rust and is described in Table 1. Note that initial slight rusting has the largest effect on lowering the rust grade.

2.4 The pictorial representations of Figure I show examples of area percentages which may be helpful in rust grading painted steel surfaces.

3. Procedures

3.1 Surface staining by rust, accumulated dirt, or dirt containing iron or iron compounds should not be confused with the actual rusting involved.

3.2 In evaluating surfaces, consideration should be given to the color of the finish coating, since failures will be more apparent on a finish that shows color contrast with rust such as used in the photographic standards, than on a similar color, such a~ an iron oxide colored finish.

3.3 Coating failure is likely to vary over a given area. Therefore, discretion should be used when selecting a single grade that is to be representative of a large area or structure.

3.4 The photographic reference standards are not required when estimating the level of rusting since the rust grade scale is based upon the percent of the area rusted. Any method of assessing area rusted (including Figure 1) may be used to determine the rust grade.

3.5 This standard may be projected to include blistering beneath the paint by including the blistered area as if it were rust.

4. Notes

4.1 While every precaution is taken to insure that all information furnished in SSPC guides is as accurate, complete, and useful as possible, the SSPC cannot assume responsibility or incur any obligation resulting from the use of any materials, paints, or methods specified therein, or of the guide itself.

Click here for Table 1

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