ISO 11126-8:2018

Overview

ISO 11126-8:2018 specifies requirements for olivine abrasives used in non-metallic blast-cleaning for the preparation of steel substrates before painting. The standard covers abrasives supplied in the new condition and defines acceptable particle size ranges, physical properties and contamination limits to ensure consistent performance in surface preparation and coating systems. NOTE: equipment and abrasives can be hazardous - follow appropriate safety instructions.

Key Topics

• Designation and labelling: Product designation format (e.g., Abrasive ISO 11126 N/OL/G 0,2-0,5) identifies type (N/OL = non-metallic olivine), shape (G = grit) and particle size range.
• Particle size distribution: Nominal size bands from very fine to coarse (examples in Table 1 range from ~0.01 mm up to 2.0 mm). Oversize/undersize limits are specified to control blasting performance.
• Physical requirements:
  • Apparent density: 3.0–3.3 g/cm3 (≈3 000–3 300 kg/m3)
  • Mohs hardness: minimum 6
  • Moisture content: maximum 0.2% (mass)
  • Conductivity of aqueous extract: maximum 250 µS/cm
  • Water-soluble chlorides: maximum 0.0025% (mass)
• Sampling and testing: Sampling and test methods are referenced to the ISO 11127 series (Parts 1–7) for particle size, density, hardness, moisture and soluble contaminants.
• Supply condition: Requirements apply only to abrasives as supplied new - not during or after use.
• Contaminant controls: Material must be free from corrosive or adhesion-impairing contaminants and harmful impurities.

Applications

ISO 11126-8:2018 is practical for:

• Coating specifiers and paint manufacturers setting substrate preparation criteria.
• Blast-cleaning contractors and steel fabricators selecting olivine abrasive for production or maintenance blasting.
• Procurement and QA teams requiring clear product designation and test reports from suppliers.
• Corrosion engineers and asset owners ensuring substrate cleanliness and minimizing chloride-induced corrosion risks. Use cases include steelwork surface preparation for protective coatings, infrastructure maintenance, shipyards and general abrasive blasting where a non-metallic olivine abrasive is preferred.

Related Standards

• ISO 11127-1 to ISO 11127-7 - Test methods for non-metallic blast-cleaning abrasives (sampling, particle size, density, hardness, moisture, conductivity, chlorides)
• ISO 11126 (series) - Specifications for non-metallic blast-cleaning abrasives (other materials)
• ISO 8504-2 - Abrasive blast-cleaning methods for surface preparation

Keywords: ISO 11126-8:2018, olivine abrasive, non-metallic blast-cleaning abrasives, preparation of steel substrates, particle size distribution, Mohs hardness, apparent density, moisture content, water-soluble chlorides, blast-cleaning, surface preparation.