Why do Surface preparations standards exist?

Surface preparation standards exist to provide a consistent and uniform level of surface cleanliness and roughness for different types of substrates in order to ensure optimal adhesion, performance, and durability of coatings and other protective treatments.

Proper surface preparation is critical for the success of coatings, as it helps to ensure that the coating adheres properly to the substrate and performs as expected over time. Without proper surface preparation, coatings can fail due to poor adhesion, blistering, peeling, or other forms of degradation, which can result in costly repairs, downtime, and safety hazards.

Surface preparation standards provide guidelines for the type of surface preparation required for different substrates, environments, and types of coatings or treatments. These standards typically specify the types of surface preparation methods, such as abrasive blasting, power tool cleaning, or chemical cleaning, as well as the level of cleanliness and roughness required for the substrate.

By adhering to surface preparation standards, coating applicators and inspectors can ensure that the surface is properly prepared to meet the requirements of the specific coating or treatment, which helps to ensure optimal adhesion, performance, and durability. Surface preparation standards also provide a common language and framework for communicating about surface preparation requirements across different industries, regions, and countries.

Surfacer Preparation – Steel

Grit-Blast

Sa 0:

Swedish standard blast cleaning Sa0 is a surface preparation method that involves the removal of loose and flaking material, as well as surface contaminants, by using compressed air and abrasive material such as steel shot or grit. The Sa0 standard is the least rigorous of the Swedish standards for blast cleaning, and it is suitable for surfaces that are not exposed to harsh environments.

Sa0 is characterized by a surface that is free of visible oil, grease, and dirt, but may contain minor stains, discolorations, and oxide streaks. The surface may also have a slight texture or profile, but it should not have any sharp peaks or edges.

The Sa0 standard is often used for preparing surfaces for painting or coating applications in environments where corrosion is not a significant concern. However, it is important to note that Sa0 does not provide the same level of surface preparation as more rigorous blast cleaning standards such as Sa2.5 or Sa3.

Sa 1:

Swedish standard blast cleaning Sa1 is a surface preparation method that involves the removal of loose and flaking material, as well as surface contaminants, by using compressed air and abrasive material such as steel shot or grit. The Sa1 standard is slightly more rigorous than Sa0 and is suitable for surfaces that are exposed to light to moderate environments.

Sa1 is characterized by a surface that is free of visible oil, grease, and dirt, as well as loose and flaking material. The surface may have slight discolorations, stains, and oxide streaks, but it should not have any significant pitting or rusting. The surface may also have a slight texture or profile, but it should not have any sharp peaks or edges.

The Sa1 standard is often used for preparing surfaces for painting or coating applications in environments where moderate corrosion resistance is required. However, it is important to note that Sa1 does not provide the same level of surface preparation as more rigorous blast cleaning standards such as Sa2.5 or Sa3.

Sa 2:

Swedish standard blast cleaning Sa2 is a surface preparation method that involves the removal of all loose and flaking material, as well as surface contaminants, by using compressed air and abrasive material such as steel shot or grit. The Sa2 standard is more rigorous than Sa1 and is suitable for surfaces that are exposed to moderate to severe environments.

Sa2 is characterized by a surface that is free of visible oil, grease, and dirt, as well as all loose and flaking material. The surface should also be free of significant pitting and rusting, and any remaining stains or discolorations should be limited to small areas. The surface should have a uniform texture or profile, with no sharp peaks or edges.

The Sa2 standard is often used for preparing surfaces for painting or coating applications in environments where high corrosion resistance is required. However, it is important to note that Sa2 does not provide the same level of surface preparation as the most rigorous blast cleaning standards such as Sa2.5 or Sa3.

Sa 2.5

Swedish standard blast cleaning Sa2.5 is a surface preparation method that involves the removal of all loose and flaking material, as well as surface contaminants, by using compressed air and abrasive material such as steel shot or grit. The Sa2.5 standard is more rigorous than Sa2 and is suitable for surfaces that are exposed to severe environments.

Sa2.5 is characterized by a surface that is free of visible oil, grease, and dirt, as well as all loose and flaking material. The surface should also be free of significant pitting and rusting, and any remaining stains or discolorations should be limited to small areas. The surface should have a uniform texture or profile, with no sharp peaks or edges.

In addition, the Sa2.5 standard requires that the surface has a minimum anchor profile of 50 microns, which means that the surface has a roughness that allows a coating or paint to adhere effectively.

The Sa2.5 standard is often used for preparing surfaces for painting or coating applications in severe environments where high corrosion resistance is required, such as offshore structures or industrial equipment in harsh environments.

Sa 3

Swedish standard blast cleaning Sa3 is the most rigorous surface preparation method in the Swedish standard for blast cleaning. It involves the complete removal of all loose and flaking material, as well as surface contaminants, by using compressed air and abrasive material such as steel shot or grit.

Sa3 is characterized by a surface that is completely free of visible oil, grease, and dirt, as well as all loose and flaking material. The surface should also be free of any significant pitting, rusting, or discolorations. The surface should have a uniform texture or profile, with no sharp peaks or edges.

In addition, the Sa3 standard requires that the surface has a minimum anchor profile of 70 microns, which means that the surface has a roughness that allows a coating or paint to adhere effectively.

The Sa3 standard is often used for preparing surfaces for painting or coating applications in extremely severe environments where the highest level of corrosion resistance is required, such as marine or industrial environments. Sa3 provides the most thorough and rigorous surface preparation and ensures the best adhesion and performance of coatings and paints.