ASTM D610-08

Standard Practice for Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The amount of rusting beneath or through a paint film is a significant factor in determining whether a coating system should be repaired or replaced. This practice provides a standardized means for quantifying the amount and distribution of visible surface rust.
The degree of rusting is evaluated using a zero to ten scale based on the percentage of visible surface rust.
The distribution of the rust is classified as spot rust, general rust, pinpoint rust or hybrid rust.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the evaluation of the degree of rusting on painted steel surfaces. The visual examples which depict the percentage of rusting given in the written specifications form part of the standard. In the event of a dispute, the written definition prevails. These visual examples were developed in cooperation with SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings to further standardization of methods. The photographs can be used to estimate the percentage of other coating defects on various substrates. This standard does not include evaluation of rust propagation around an initially prepared scribe, score, or holiday.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2008
• ICS: 87.020 - Paint coating processes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.25 - Evaluation of Weathering Effects

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D610-07 - Standard Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D610-08(2012) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D1735-21 - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Water Fog Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D3794-22 - Standard Guide for Testing Coil Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D5031/D5031M-13(2018) - Standard Practice for Enclosed Carbon-Arc Exposure Tests of Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D333-01(2021) - Standard Guide for Clear and Pigmented Lacquers
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F3019/F3019M-19 - Standard Specification for Chromium Free Zinc-Flake Composite, with or without Integral Lubricant, Corrosion Protective Coatings for Fasteners
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM G210-13(2023) - Standard Practice for Operating the Severe Wastewater Analysis Testing Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D5498-12a(2018) - Standard Guide for Developing a Training Program for Personnel Performing Coating and Lining Work Inspection for Nuclear Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D3451-06(2017) - Standard Guide for Testing Coating Powders and Powder Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F1136/F1136M-11(2019) - Standard Specification for Zinc/Aluminum Corrosion Protective Coatings for Fasteners
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4619-12(2018) - Standard Practice for Inspection of Linings in Operating Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D1654-08(2016)e1 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Painted or Coated Specimens Subjected to Corrosive Environments
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D8370-22 - Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Electrochemical Impedance on Coatings and Linings
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Referred By: ASTM B895-16(2020)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Evaluating the Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steel Powder Metallurgy (PM) Parts/Specimens by Immersion in a Sodium Chloride Solution
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D610 − 08 Societyfor Protective Coatings
SSPC-VIS-2
Standard Practice for
1
Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D610; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.2 The degree of rusting is evaluated using a zero to ten
scale based on the percentage of visible surface rust.
1.1 This practice covers the evaluation of the degree of
rusting on painted steel surfaces. The visual examples which
3.3 The distribution of the rust is classified as spot rust,
depict the percentage of rusting given in the written specifica-
general rust, pinpoint rust or hybrid rust.
tions form part of the standard. In the event of a dispute, the
written definition prevails. These visual examples were devel-
4. Interferences
oped in cooperation with SSPC: The Society for Protective
4.1 The visual examples that are part of this practice and the
Coatings to further standardization of methods. The photo-
associated rust-grade scale cover only rusting evidenced by
graphs can be used to estimate the percentage of other coating
visible surface rust.
defects on various substrates. This standard does not include
evaluation of rust propagation around an initially prepared
4.2 The use of the visual examples requires the following
scribe, score, or holiday.
cautions:
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2.1 Some finishes are stained by rust. This staining must
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
not be confused with the actual rusting involved.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2.2 Accumulated dirt or other material may make accurate
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
determination of the degree of rusting difficult.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2.3 Certain types of deposited dirt that contain iron or iron
compounds may cause surface discoloration that should not be
2. Referenced Documents
mistaken for corrosion.
2.1 ASTM Adjunct/SSPC: The Society for Protective Coat-
4.2.4 Failure may vary over a given area. Discretion must
ings:
therefore be used when selecting a single rust grade or rust
SSPC-VIS 2/ASTM D610 Standard Method of Evaluating
distribution that is to be representative of a large area or
2
Degrees of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
structure, or in subdividing a structure for evaluation.
4.2.5 The color of the finish coating should be taken into
3. Significance and Use
accountinevaluatingsurfacesasfailureswillbemoreapparent
3.1 The amount of rusting beneath or through a paint film is
on a finish that shows color contrast with rust, such as used in
a significant factor in determining whether a coating system
these reference standards, than on a similar color, such as an
should be repaired or replaced. This practice provides a
iron oxide finish.
standardizedmeansforquantifyingtheamountanddistribution
of visible surface rust.
5. Procedure
5.1 Select an area to be evaluated.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
5.2 Determine the type of rust distribution using definitions
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.25 on Evaluation of Weathering Effects.
in Table 1 and visual examples in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3.
This practice has been jointly approved by ASTM and SSPC: The Society for
Protective Coatings. 5.3 Estimate percentage of surface area rusted using the
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published March 2008. Originally
visual examples in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3 or SSPC-VIS 2, or
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D610 – 07. DOI:
both,byelectronicscanningtechniquesorothermethodagreed
10.1520/D0610-08.
2 upon by contracting parties.
Colored visual examples are available at a nominal cost from ASTM Interna-
tional Headquarters (request Adjunct ADJD0610A), SSPC Publication No. 00-08
5.4 Do not consider flow of corrosion products onto the
fromThe Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC), 40 24th St., 6th Floor, Pittsburgh,
PA 15222-4656, http://www.sspc.org. surface of intact coating (that is, “rust bleed” or staining) as
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
1

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D610 − 08
TABLE 1 Scale and Description of Rust Ratings
Visual Examples
Rust Grade Percent of Surface Rusted Spot(s) G
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Society for Protective Coatings
Designation:D610–07 Designation:D610–08 SSPC-VIS-2
StandardStandard TPracticeest Methodfor for
1
Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 610; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test methodpractice covers the evaluation of the degree of rusting on painted steel surfaces.The visual examples which
depict the percentage of rusting given in the written specifications form part of the standard. In the event of a dispute, the written
definition prevails. These visual examples were developed in cooperation with SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings to
further standardization of methods. The photographs can be used to estimate the percentage of other coating defects on various
substrates. This standard does not include evaluation of rust propagation around an initially prepared scribe, score, or holiday.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Adjunct/SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings:
2
SSPC-VIS 2/ASTM D 610 Standard Method of Evaluating Degrees of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
3. Significance and Use
3.1 The amount of rusting beneath or through a paint film is a significant factor in determining whether a coating system should
be repaired or replaced. This test methodpractice provides a standardized means for quantifying the amount and distribution of
visible surface rust.
3.2 The degree of rusting is evaluated using a zero to ten scale based on the percentage of visible surface rust.
3.3 The distribution of the rust is classified as spot rust, general rust, pinpoint rust or hybrid rust.
4. Interferences
4.1 Thevisualexamplesthatarepartofthistestmethodpracticeandtheassociatedrust-gradescalecoveronlyrustingevidenced
by visible surface rust.
4.2 The use of the visual examples requires the following cautions:
4.2.1 Some finishes are stained by rust. This staining must not be confused with the actual rusting involved.
4.2.2 Accumulated dirt or other material may make accurate determination of the degree of rusting difficult.
4.2.3 Certain types of deposited dirt that contain iron or iron compounds may cause surface discoloration that should not be
mistaken for corrosion.
4.2.4 Failure may vary over a given area. Discretion must therefore be used when selecting a single rust grade or rust
distribution that is to be representative of a large area or structure, or in subdividing a structure for evaluation.
4.2.5 The color of the finish coating should be taken into account in evaluating surfaces as failures will be more apparent on
a finish that shows color contrast with rust, such as used in these reference standards, than on a similar color, such as an iron oxide
finish.
5. Procedure
5.1 Select an area to be evaluated.
5.2 Determine the type of rust distribution using definitions in Table 1 and visual examples in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3.
1
This test method practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee D01.46 on Industrial Protective Coatings.
This test method practice has been jointly approved by ASTM and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings.
Current edition approved JulyFeb. 1, 2007.2008. Published July 2007.March 2008. Originally approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 20012007 as
D 610 – 017.
2
Colored visual examples are available at a nominal cost fromASTM International Headquarters (requestAdjunctADJD0610A), SSPC Publication No. 00-08 from The
Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC), 40 24th St., 6th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4656, http://www.sspc.org.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D610–08
TABLE 1 Scale and Description of Rust Ratings
Visual Examples
Rust Grade Pe
...