Surface treatments for steel plates (with) according to the ISO standards
Surface treatments of steel plates are usually in accordance with certain international standards, for different applications require different levels of performance and specifications. To ensure the effectiveness and safety of steel plates, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a system of standards for surface treatments that gives uniformity and consistency in performance.
ISO 8501-1 is the standard used to describe the various surface treatments available for steel plates and is used to help assess corrosion/rusting of metals. It provides a systematic means of communicating the condition of the plate’s surface, including streaks, splotches, flakes, and other contaminants. Three visual grades are given on the basis of the degree and extent of surface rust and contamination. These are ‘’intact condition’’ (Grade 1); ‘’lightly rusted’’ (Grade 2); and ‘’heavily rusted’’ (Grade 3).
The Grade 1 surface treatment is the highest and is a clean, intact surface with no visible contaminants or rust. Grade 2 is lightly rusted and may have small amounts of contaminants, but should still be in good condition with a very small amount of corrosion. Grade 3 is heavily rusted and must have a greater amount of contaminants, more corrosion, and more surface damage.
The ISO 8501-1 standard also specifies certain processes that are used for treatment of steel plates. For instance, it lists blast cleaning and some other treatments (i.e. chemical treatments, mechanical treatments and paint coatings) that can be applied to steel plates in order to provide corrosion protection.
Blast cleaning is a surface treatment that involves firing steel shots (or grit, in some cases) at the plate at a high velocity. This has the effect of removing corrosion, rust, and other contaminants from the surface, as well as providing a textured finish. Chemical treatments involve treating the plate with various chemicals that are designed to stop the oxidation process that leads to rust formation.
Mechanical treatments can include grinding, milling, and turning of the plate to remove contaminants and prepare it for a surface treatment such as painting. Paint coatings can also be applied to steel plates to protect them from corrosion. These coatings can be in the form of powder coatings, liquid coatings, or epoxy coatings.
The ISO 8501-1 standard provides a system for communicating the condition of the steel plate surface, and for specifying the various surface treatments available for use. This standard helps ensure that steel plates will have the desired properties for their intended application. When specifying the treatment for steel plates, the customer should ensure that the selected treatment meets their requirements and the ISO 8501-1 standard.
