@) GMA GarneT * ‘TECHNICAL NOTE ROWN SPOTS" © Small pin sized brown spots can appear on surfaces cleaned us GMA gamet. The spots are caused by particles of the mineral goethite (a form of iron sesquioxide). This naturally occurring inert mineral has a similar SG to garnet but is of lower toughness. Although goethite is only present in trace amounts in GMA garnet (less than 0.05% by weight) the cumulative effect of these particles hitting the surface can lead to scattered micro-blemishing which seems to be accentuated when the nozzle is held close to vertical rather than at a glancing angle. It is more noticeable on surfaces cleaned to Class 3 (SA3) standard. © Detailed analysis of the brown spots by the W.A. Corrosion Research Group at Curtin University of Technology in 2002 established that the brown spots are “inert” and “should not affect the integrity of the coating’. © Trace amounts of goethite have always been present in GMA garnet products and there have never been any reports of premature coating failure resulting from impurities in GMA products © All abrasives actually leave some splattered and/or impinged particles on metal surfaces. Usually the particles are not visible due to their neutral colour. LE. GROUP TECHNICAL MANAGER 21 October 2010 122 Goin Nora, WASE Ata To st aon ax: -o oanza sve (EY (4) £G "ABN 72 008 948 227 ©, Shas os