SSPC / NACE / ISO Standards Cross-Reference
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Updated November 2026
SSPC vs ISO 8501-1 blast grades
Dry blast cleaning, and what each grade lets stay on the steel. The SSPC/NACE and ISO grades are approximately equivalent, not identical. SSPC writes its limits down as a share of each 9 sq in unit area. ISO 8501-1 gives no percentages: a grade is judged against its reference photographs.
| SSPC | NACE | ISO 8501-1 | Allowed to stay | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP 5White Metal BlastAllowed to stayNoneApproximately equivalent to Sa 3. | NACE 1 | Sa 3 | None | Approximately equivalent to Sa 3. |
| SP 10Near-White Metal BlastAllowed to stayStains on up to 5% of each unit areaApproximately equivalent to Sa 2½. Sa 2½ sets no percentage; it is judged against the ISO photos. | NACE 2 | Sa 2½ | Stains on up to 5% of each unit area | Approximately equivalent to Sa 2½. Sa 2½ sets no percentage; it is judged against the ISO photos. |
| SP 6Commercial BlastAllowed to stayStains on up to 33% of each unit areaApproximately equivalent to Sa 2. | NACE 3 | Sa 2 | Stains on up to 33% of each unit area | Approximately equivalent to Sa 2. |
| SP 14Industrial BlastAllowed to stayTightly adherent residue on up to 10% of each unit area; stains anywhereNo ISO equivalent. | NACE 8 | None | Tightly adherent residue on up to 10% of each unit area; stains anywhere | No ISO equivalent. |
| SP 7Brush-Off BlastAllowed to stayNo limit: tightly adherent mill scale, rust and coating may stayApproximately equivalent to Sa 1. | NACE 4 | Sa 1 | No limit: tightly adherent mill scale, rust and coating may stay | Approximately equivalent to Sa 1. |
| SP 16Brush-Off Blast: Galvanized, Stainless and Non-Ferrous MetalsAllowed to stayTightly adherent coating may stayNo NACE number. No Sa grade: ISO 8501-1 covers steel only, so we read it as having no ISO equivalent. | None | None | Tightly adherent coating may stay | No NACE number. No Sa grade: ISO 8501-1 covers steel only, so we read it as having no ISO equivalent. |
Grades follow ISO 8501-1:2007. As of November 2026, ISO lists that edition as to be revised, with a draft third edition under development. Check which edition your spec names.
Sources
- Staining limits: KTA-Tator, Industry Standards for Surface Preparation: stains on up to 5% of each unit area for SP 10 and 33% for SP 6, intact material on up to 10% for SP 14, no stains for SP 5. The 9 sq in unit area is defined in the joint SSPC/NACE standards themselves (for example SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2, now published by AMPP); there is no free copy to link
- SSPC vs ISO: Graco, Surface Preparation Standards Explained (ISO 8501-1 is a visual reference with no stated percentages; SP 14 has no ISO counterpart and allows stains anywhere), Corrodere (the two systems recognise roughly the same levels of cleanliness), Belzona (Sa 3, Sa 2½, Sa 2 and Sa 1 listed as comparable to SP 5, SP 10, SP 6 and SP 7)
- Written text governs: KTA-Tator on the SSPC VIS guides (the photos are secondary to the written standard); DeFelsko (SSPC-VIS 1 photos supplement the written standards)
- SP 16: KTA-Tator, Abrasive Blast Cleaning of Non-Ferrous Metals (galvanized steel, stainless steels and non-ferrous metals; loose coating removed; at least 0.75 mil profile on bare metal)
- ISO 8501-1: ISO 8501-1:2007, preparation grades of uncoated steel substrates. As of November 2026, ISO lists it as to be revised, with a draft third edition (ISO/DIS 8501-1) under development. The grades here follow the 2007 edition
- ISO 8501-1 St 2 / St 3: approximate equivalents of SP 2 / SP 3
- Waterjetting: joint NACE WJ-1 to WJ-4 / SSPC-SP WJ-1 to WJ-4 (reissued by AMPP 2021)
- ICRI Technical Guideline No. 310.2R: Concrete surface profiles (CSP 1–10), judged against replica chips
Common questions
What is the difference between SSPC SP 10 and ISO Sa 2.5?
They aim at the same near-white cleanliness but define it differently, so they are approximately equivalent, not identical. SP 10 requires all visible rust, mill scale, and coating to be removed, and allows staining on no more than 5% of each 9 sq in unit area. ISO 8501-1 Sa 2½ gives no percentage: whatever is left of the rust, scale, or coating may only show as faint discoloration, and the grade is judged against the ISO reference photographs. Coating suppliers list the two side by side as comparable grades.
What does NACE 2 mean on a coating spec?
NACE No. 2 is near-white metal blast cleaning, the joint standard with SSPC SP 10 and the usual equivalent of ISO Sa 2½. All visible rust, mill scale, and old coating is removed; light shadows, streaks, or discoloration may remain on no more than 5% of each unit area.
When do I need white metal (SP 5) vs near-white (SP 10)?
SP 10 is the usual minimum for immersion service; SP 5 where the lining maker or the chemical service calls for it. White metal (SP 5 / Sa 3 / NACE No. 1) allows no staining at all, costs more to reach, and is usually reserved for severe chemical or lining service where the data sheet requires it. Near-white (SP 10) is also the standard for high-performance coatings like zinc-rich primers and epoxies. Always follow the coating data sheet.
What is ICRI CSP and when does it apply?
ICRI Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) is a 1-10 scale for concrete preparation, judged by comparing the surface to molded replica chips rather than by measuring a depth. CSP 1-2 is light etching or grinding for thin sealers. CSP 3-5 is shotblasting or light scarification for floor coatings. CSP 6-10 is aggressive removal for overlays and structural repair; CSP 10 has an amplitude over 1/4 in. Your coating manufacturer's data sheet will specify the required CSP.
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