SSPC-AB 4
November 24, 2015
SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings
Abrasive Standard No. 4
RECYCLABLE ENCAPSULATED ABRASIVE MEDIA
(in a compressible cellular matrix)
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard provides requirements for selecting and
evaluating abrasive media encapsulated in a compressible
non-uniform cellular matrix used to blast clean steel and other
surfaces prior to the application of protective coatings. The
standard also includes requirements for quality control of new
and recycled media.
2. DESCRIPTION
2.1 ENCAPSULATED ABRASIVE MEDIA: Encapsulated
abrasive media consist of natural or manufactured abrasive
grains surrounded by a dry, compressible, open-cell material.
These abrasives are used to reduce dust generation and
ricochet damage to adjacent surfaces when blast cleaning,
and to “feather” the edges of intact coating during spot repair
procedures of coatings on steel and other substrates. During
the recycling process, the media is cleaned to remove abrasive
fines and debris, including paint, rust, mill scale, and other
contaminants.
2.2 RECYCLED ABRASIVE WORKING MIX: The
working mix develops during blast cleaning and recycling,
and is composed of new and recycled encapsulated abrasive
media.
2.3 DEFINITIONS
Qualification tests are tests that are run to qualify that a
material meets the requirements of the standard.
Conformance tests are tests that are per­formed to verify
that the material being submitted has the same properties as
the material that initially qualified.
Quality control tests are field tests that are performed to
verify that the material complies with specified requirements
immediately prior to use.
3. REFERENCED STANDARDS
3.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the
referenced documents in effect on the date of invitation to bid
shall govern, unless otherwise specified. Those documents
marked with an asterisk (*) are referenced only in the Notes,
which are not requirements of this standard.
1
3.2 If there is a conflict between the requirements of
any of the cited referenced standards and this standard, the
requirements of this standard shall prevail.
3.3 SSPC Standards:
AB 1 Mineral and Slag Abrasives
AB 3 Ferrous Metallic Abrasives
3.4 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Standards:1
D4940 Standard Test Method for Conductimetric
Analysis of Water Soluble Ionic
Contamination of Blasting Abrasives
* D4417 Standard Test Method for Field
Measurement of Surface Profile of
Blast Cleaned Steel
D7393 Practice for Indicating Oil in
Abrasives
4. Requirements for New Media
(Qualification Tests)
The abrasive manufacturer shall certify that new media
meeting this standard complies with the requirements of
Sections 4.1 through 4.5.
4.1 GRIT REQUIREMENTS: Mineral and slag abrasives
shall meet the requirements of SSPC-AB 1. Ferrous metallic
abrasives shall meet the requirements of SSPC-AB 3. When
aluminum oxide is used, the aluminum oxide grain shall be
of sufficient hardness to scratch glass when tested by placing
some of the abrasive material between two glass microscope
slides and, while applying pressure, moving one slide over
the other in a reciprocating motion. The glass slide shall be
examined for scratches. The abrasive manufacturer shall certify
that the aluminum oxide grit meets the following requirements:
Minimum aluminum oxide content 95%
Minimum specific gravity 3.60
4.2 DUST CONTROL: Dust shall be controlled and the dry
encapsulating matrix shall demonstrate reduced dust emission
characteristics. The manufacturer shall provide certification
that emission levels as documented in EPA’s Compilation of
1
ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. For
referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, <http://www.astm.org>, or contact
ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
SSPC-AB 4
Novcmber 24, 2015
Air Pollutant Emission Factors (AP-42 Section 13.1)2 or as
determined in similar independent test protocols demonstrate
that the foam component in the composite has the ability to
maintain emission levels through 10 blast cycles below 0.02
kg/kg of total particulates and below 0.004 kg/kg of PM-10, or
as otherwise specified.
4.3 SURFACE PROFILE: Abrasives meeting the
requirements of this standard shall be capable of providing the
surface profiles required by the user.
4.4 WATER-SOLUBLE CONTAMINANTS: The
conductivity of the encapsulated abrasive shall not exceed
1000 microsiemens/cm (µS/cm) when tested in accordance
with ASTM D4940.
4.5 OIL CONTENT: When tested in accordance with
ASTM D7393, no oil shall be visible on the surface of the water
or as an emulsion.
4.6 HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: The
abrasive material as supplied shall comply with all applicable
federal, state, and local regulations (see Note 9.3).
4.6.1 The manufacturer shall provide the purchaser with
sufficiently detailed chemical analyses to provide the protective
engineering and administrative controls for blast cleaning
identified in federal, state, and local codes.
4.6.2 Safety data sheets (SDS) shall be furnished for all
abrasive materials supplied.
5. CONFORMANCE TESTS
Upon receipt the purchaser shall verify performance of the
material in accordance with Sections 4.1, 4.4, and 4.5.
6. QUALITY CONTROL TESTS
The following tests shall be conducted by the end-user
of the abrasive (e.g., contractor) during conduct of the job to
ensure quality.
6.1 REQUIRED PROFILE: In-process testing for
compliance with profile requirements shall be performed as
specified on the surface being prepared (see Note 9.1).
6.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR RECYCLED ABRASIVE
WORKING MIX
6.2.1 Particle Size Distribution
6.2.1.1 The contractor shall process the media through
a flat deck, vibratory screen classifier that separates both
oversized and undersized particles; or other unit shown to
meet the dust control requirements of Section 4.2. New media
shall be added to the working mix as necessary to deliver the
specified surface profile. After recycling, all particles shall pass
2
an ANSI #3 screen and not more than 10% shall pass an ANSI
#20 screen. Within this range, screen sizes are frequently
adjusted to meet project requirements.
6.2.1.2 Test for Classifier Efficiency: The test is
performed as follows:
Step A. A quantity of recycled media is passed once
through the classifier. The rejected material that
passes through the bottom sieve is collected, the
weight or volume is measured, and the material is
labeled and set aside.
Step B. The remaining media from Step A is passed
through the classifier a second time. The rejected
material that passes through the bottom sieve is
again collected, and the weight or volume of material
is measured. The material is labeled and set aside.
Step C. The remaining media from Step B is passed
through the classifier. The material that passes
through the bottom sieve is collected, and the weight
or volume of material is measured.
Step D. The rejected material collected from Steps B
and C is combined.
If the weight or volume of rejected material from Step D
is equal to or greater than the weight or volume of rejected
material measured in Step A, adjustments to the classifier and
or flow rate shall be made to increase the classifier efficiency
(see Note 9.2).
6.2.1.3 Testing Schedule: The test described in Section
6.2.1.2 shall be conducted two hours after the startup of
cleaning operations, and repeated every two hours. After
three tests have been completed at two-hour intervals, the
test interval is typically expanded to once every ten hours of
operation, or as specified.
6.2.2 Water-Soluble Contaminants: The abrasive
material shall be tested for water-soluble contaminants in
accordance with ASTM D4940. A representative sample
shall be obtained by collecting a minimum of three samples
(approximately 450 grams [1 lb] each) of the recycled abrasive
material. The three samples shall be collected at three different
times during an 8-hr period before new media is added to the
recycled material. The conductivity of each abrasive sample
shall not exceed 1000 µS/cm when tested in accordance with
ASTM D4940.
6.2.3 Oil Content: The abrasive material shall be tested
for oil content in accordance with ASTM D7393. Representative
samples of the recycled material obtained according to the
procedure in Section 6.2.2 shall have no oil visible on the
surface of the water or as an emulsion.
 SSPC-AB 4
November 24, 2015

7. Documentation the use of any materials, coatings, or methods specified herein,

7.1 DOCUMENTATION OF INSPECTION AND TESTING:
The supplier shall furnish documentation certifying that the
new media meets requirements of Sections 4.1 through 4.5
and any other documentation required by the procurement
documents (see Note 9.3).
7.1.1 List of Tests Performed: Documentation shall
include the title of the test, the appropriate standards used, any
deviation from standard practice, and the numerical results of
the testing.
7.1.2 Testing Facilities: The documentation of facilities
shall include the name and location of the laboratory, the
responsible laboratory official, laboratory certification or other
evidence of qualification. Evidence of qualification shall include
documentation that the laboratory is engaged, as a regular
part of its business, in performing the inspections and tests
required in Section 4.1 and subparts.
7.1.3 Date of Testing: This shall include the date of
original qualification (if applicable) and dates of completion
and official approval of testing results.
8. Disclaimer
or of the specification or standard itself.
8.2 This standard does not attempt to address problems
concerning safety associated with its use. The user of this
standard, as well as the user of all products or practices
described herein, is responsible for instituting appropriate
health and safety practices and for ensuring compliance with
all governmental regulations.
9. Notes
Notes are not requirements of this standard.
9.1 A typical profile range for encapsulated media is 0 to
4 mils (0 to 100 micrometers) on mild steel when measured
in accordance with ASTM D4417. Materials furnished under
this standard that produce the required surface profile under
standard test conditions may produce a different surface
profile depending upon job condition, type of surface, blasting
pressure, etc.
9.2 Other Requirements: In addition to the requirements
listed above, the specifier may also require performance tests
to establish abrasive consumption rate, cleaning rate, and
abrasive breakdown.

8.1 While every precaution is taken to ensure that all 9.3 Note that the spent abrasive may contain hazardous
information furnished in SSPC standards and specifications is paint and other foreign matter. Federal, state, and local
as accurate, complete, and useful as possible, SSPC cannot regulations govern proper disposal of spent abrasives.
assume responsibility nor incur any obligation resulting from

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