ASTM D610-01

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Steel Structures Painting Council
Designation:D610–01 SSPC-VIS-2
Standard Test Method for
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Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 610; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 3.3 The distribution of the rust is classified as spot rust,
general rust, pinpoint rust or hybrid rust.
1.1 This test method covers the evaluation of the degree of
rusting on painted steel surfaces. The visual examples which
4. Interferences
depict the percentage of rusting given in the written specifica-
4.1 The visual examples that are part of this test method and
tions form part of the standard. In the event of a dispute, the
the associated rust-grade scale cover only rusting evidenced by
written definition prevails. These visual examples were devel-
visible surface rust.
oped in cooperation with SSPC: The Society for Protective
4.2 The use of the visual examples requires the following
Coatings to further standardization of methods.
cautions:
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2.1 Some finishes are stained by rust. This staining must
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
not be confused with the actual rusting involved.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2.2 Accumulated dirt or other material may make accurate
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
determination of the degree of rusting difficult.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2.3 Certain types of deposited dirt that contain iron or iron
2. Referenced Documents compounds may cause surface discoloration that should not be
mistaken for corrosion.
2.1 ASTM Adjunct/SSPC: The Society for Protective Coat-
4.2.4 Failure may vary over a given area. Discretion must
ings
therefore be used when selecting a single rust grade or rust
SSPC-VIS 2/ASTM D 610 Standard Method of Evaluating
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distribution that is to be representative of a large area or
Degrees of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
structure, or in subdividing a structure for evaluation.
3. Significance and Use
4.2.5 The color of the finish coating should be taken into
accountinevaluatingsurfacesasfailureswillbemoreapparent
3.1 The amount of rusting beneath or through a paint film is
on a finish that shows color contrast with rust, such as used in
a significant factor in determining whether a coating system
these reference standards, than on a similar color, such as an
should be repaired or replaced. This test method provides a
iron oxide finish.
standardizedmeansforquantifyingtheamountanddistribution
of visible surface rust.
5. Procedure
3.2 The degree of rusting is evaluated using a zero to ten
5.1 Select an area to be evaluated.
scale based on the percentage of visible surface rust.
5.2 Determine the type of rust distribution using definitions
in Table 1 and visual examples in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3.
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5.3 Estimate percentage of surface area rusted using the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
visual examples in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3 or SSPC-VIS 2, or
Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coatings.
both,byelectronicscanningtechniquesorothermethodagreed
This test method has been jointly approved byASTM and SSPC:The Society for
upon by contracting parties.
Protective Coatings.
Current edition approved May 10, 2001. Published July 2001. Originally
NOTE 1—The numerical rust grade scale is an exponential function of
published as D 610 – 41. Last previous edition D 610 – 95.
2 the area of rust. The rust grade versus area of rust is a straight line plot on
Colored visual examples are available at a nominal cost from ASTM Head-
semilogarithmic coordinate from rust grade 10 to rust grade 4. The slope
quarters (request Adjunct ADJD0610a), SSPC Publication No. 00-08 from SSPC:
of the curve was changed at 10 % of the area rusted to 100 % rusted to
The Society for Protective Coatings, 40 24th Street, Sixth Floor, Pittsburgh, PA
15213, www.sspc.org. permit inclusion of complete rusting on the 0 to 10 rust scale.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959, United States.
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D610–01
TABLE 1 Scale and Description of Rust Ratings
Visual Examples
Rust Grad
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