ISO 11126-1:2018

Overview

ISO 11126-1:2018 - Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products - Part 1 provides a general introduction and classification of non-metallic blast-cleaning abrasives. It defines how new (unused) non‑metallic abrasives are identified, classified and designated for use in abrasive blast‑cleaning of steel substrates. The standard is primarily focused on abrasion type, initial particle shape and particle size ranges, and it specifies the complete product designation and marking required for orders and delivery.

Key Topics

• Abrasive classification: Abrasives are classified by material, origin or manufacture with standardized abbreviations (e.g., olivine N/OL, almandite garnet N/GA, coal furnace slag N/CS, fused aluminium oxide N/FA).
• Initial particle shape: Two basic symbols are used - S for shot (round) and G for grit (angular/irregular). Only the initial particle shape as supplied is specified.
• Particle size ranges: Mixtures of particle sizes are classified into size ranges; the size range (in millimetres) forms part of the product designation.
• Designation and marking: Full product designation uses the format "Abrasive ISO 11126" + type abbreviation + "/" + particle-shape symbol + size range. Example:
  Abrasive ISO 11126 N/CS/G 0,2-0,5
• Scope limits: Applies only to abrasives supplied in the new/unused condition - it does not cover abrasives during or after use.
• Safety note: The standard warns that equipment, materials and abrasives can be hazardous and requires adequate instructions and precautions.

Applications

ISO 11126-1:2018 is used by professionals involved with surface preparation and coating systems:

• Coating specifiers and engineering consultants selecting appropriate abrasives for steelwork.
• Surface-preparation contractors and blast‑cleaning operators ensuring supplied abrasives meet specified designations.
• Abrasive manufacturers and suppliers labeling and marking products to ISO designation requirements.
• Quality assurance / inspection teams verifying delivered abrasives match project requirements.
• Useful where consistent surface profile and cleanliness are required prior to painting, bonding or other protective treatments. Although developed for steel, the characteristics are generally applicable to preparing other substrates using blast‑cleaning techniques (see ISO 8504‑2).

Related standards

• ISO 11126 (other parts) - specifications for specific non‑metallic abrasives (e.g., copper refinery slag, coal furnace slag, nickel slag, fused aluminium oxide, olivine, staurolite, almandite garnet)
• ISO 11127 (test methods for non‑metallic abrasives)
• ISO 11124 / ISO 11125 (metallic abrasives and test methods)
• ISO 8503‑2 (surface profile comparators) and ISO 8504‑2 (abrasive blast‑cleaning techniques)

Keywords: ISO 11126-1:2018, non‑metallic blast‑cleaning abrasives, preparation of steel substrates, abrasive classification, particle shape, particle size, abrasive designation, surface profile.