M 271 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

Standard Specification for

The Evaluation of Blast Cleaned Steel Surfaces

AASHTO DESIGNATION: M 271-77

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard established mini-mum
levels to which steel surfaces are to be
cleaned by blast methods in preparation
for painting.
1.2 The standards are appropriate only
for use with surfaces cleaned by the
methods described.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be
regarded as the standard.
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
2.1 ASTM D 2200, Pictorial Surface
Preparation Standards for Painting Struc-
tural Steel Surfaces.
2.2 A set of two pictorial shotblast stan-
dards consisting of full scale, 8 x 10 color
photographs prepared by the Maryland
State Highway Administration.1
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1 Sandblasting—The cleaning of steel
surfaces by mechanical removal of nrust
and other contaminants by use of an
1
Copies of these photographs may be obtained from
Charles P. Mills & Son Photography, Inc., Philadel-
phia. Pennsylvania 19106.
airborne stream of particles of sand or
other minerals.
3.1.1 Other definitions relating to
sandblasting are to be found in the above
cited ASTM standard.
3.2 Shotblasting—The cleaning of steel
surfaces by mechanical removal of rust
and other contaminants by use of a
stream of cast steel particles thrown
against the surface.
3.2.1 Commercial—The degree of
surface cleaning appropriate for the
application of oil alkyd paint systems.
3.2.2 Near White—The degree of
surface cleaning appropriate for the
application of zinc paint systems.
4. PROCEDURE
4.1 The degree to which the surface , is
to be cleaned will be established by the
specifying agency.
4.2 Sandblasted surfaces should be
evaluated by use of the Swedish stan-
dards referred to and utilized by ASTM
D 2200.
4.3 Shotblasted surfaces are to be evalu-
ated by visual comparison of the shot-
blast cleaned surface with the appropriate
standard photograph.
4.3.1 No allowance need be made for
comparative size since the standards are
full scale.
4.4 The height2 of profile of the anchor
pattern shall not exceed 0.08 mm (0.003
in.).
5. CARE OF STANDARDS
5.1 Standards should be maintained in a
secure location convenient to the clean-
ing operation.
5.2 If the original scaled coating of the
shotblast standard is disturbed to the
extent that air or moisture comes in con-
tact with the photograph surface, the
word "void" will appear across that sur-
face; and the standard is no longer valid.
2
An Elcometer Surface Profile Gauge manufactured
by Elcometer Instruments. Ltd., Manchester. Eng-
land, has been found satisfactory for making this
measurement.

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