ASTM D610-08(2019)

Standard Practice for Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces

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 practice 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.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2018
• 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 D610-08(2012) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D5894-21 - Standard Practice for Cyclic Salt Fog/UV Exposure of Painted Metal, (Alternating Exposures in a Fog/Dry Cabinet and a UV/Condensation Cabinet)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D4619-12(2018) - Standard Practice for Inspection of Linings in Operating Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D3361/D3361M-22 - Standard Practice for Unfiltered Open-Flame Carbon-Arc Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D8370-22 - Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Electrochemical Impedance on Coatings and Linings
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D3322-23 - Standard Practice for Testing Primers and Primer Surfacers Over Preformed Metal
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D2247-15(2020) - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings in 100 % Relative Humidity
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D1654-08(2016)e1 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Painted or Coated Specimens Subjected to Corrosive Environments
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D822/D822M-13(2018) - Standard Practice for Filtered Open-Flame Carbon-Arc Exposures of Paint and Related Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D7893-13(2018) - Standard Guide for Corrosion Test Panel Preparation, Testing, and Rating of Coil-Coated Building Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM G210-13(2023) - Standard Practice for Operating the Severe Wastewater Analysis Testing Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D7868-21 - Standard Practice for Determining the Dry Fall (Fog) Properties of Protective Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM G198-17 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Relative Corrosion Performance of Driven Fasteners in Contact with Treated Wood
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D1014-18 - Standard Practice for Conducting Exterior Exposure Tests of Paints and Coatings on Metal Substrates
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM F1136/F1136M-11(2019) - Standard Specification for Zinc/Aluminum Corrosion Protective Coatings for Fasteners
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019

Overview

ASTM D610-08(2019) - Standard Practice for Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces provides a systematic approach for assessing the extent of rusting that appears on painted steel surfaces. Developed by ASTM in partnership with the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC), this standard defines a reliable, uniform method for inspectors, coating professionals, and asset owners to evaluate surface corrosion. Using visual guides and a numerical rating scale, the standard helps determine when maintenance, repair, or repainting is necessary, supporting corrosion prevention and effective asset management.

Key Topics

• Assessment Method: The standard specifies a 0 to 10 scale, based on the percentage of visible surface rust, to quantify the degree of rusting. A score of 10 indicates virtually no rust, while a 0 denotes over 50% surface rust.

• Visual Examples: Photographic guides, developed in cooperation with SSPC, are an integral part of the standard, helping users match real-life observations to defined rust grades.

• Rust Distribution Types: Rust is classified into four categories:

  • Spot Rust: Localized rusting in a few areas.
  • General Rust: Randomly scattered rust spots.
  • Pinpoint Rust: Very small, individual rust specks dispersed across the surface.
  • Hybrid Rust: A combination of the above types.

• Reporting: Results are reported using the rust scale value and distribution type, providing clear, communicable results (e.g., 4-G for general rusting covering 3–10% of the area).

• Supplemental Guidance: The standard includes notes on differentiating rust from staining, accounting for dirt accumulation, and considering color contrasts. Visual inspection accuracy may be affected by surface cleanliness and the original coating color.

• Limitations: This practice does not cover evaluation of rust propagation from initially prepared scribes, scores, or coating holidays. Users must address safety, health, and environmental factors independently.

Applications

• Coating Inspection: Widely used by inspectors during maintenance surveys, quality control checks, and warranty assessments to decide if painted steel surfaces require re-coating or repairs.

• Asset Management: Essential for facility managers, owners of infrastructure, and utility providers seeking to manage corrosion risks proactively and economically.

• Contract Specification and Dispute Resolution: The quantitative, visual-based assessment enables clear project specifications and provides an objective basis for resolving disputes between contractors and clients regarding coating performance.

• Education and Training: A valuable training resource for corrosion professionals, enhancing visual evaluation skills and standardizing assessment criteria across teams.

• Research and Quality Assurance: Useful in comparative studies of coatings and for monitoring performance of protective paint systems over time.

Related Standards

• SSPC-VIS 2: Visual Guide for Steel Surfaces After Coating Removal, referenced directly in ASTM D610 for visual comparison.
• ASTM D714: Standard Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints.
• ASTM D1654: Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Painted or Coated Specimens Subjected to Corrosive Environments.
• ISO 4628-3: Paints and varnishes - Evaluation of degradation of coatings - Designation of quantity and size of defects and of intensity of uniform changes in appearance - Part 3: Assessment of degree of rusting.

By following ASTM D610-08(2019), professionals benefit from a consistent, universally recognized methodology for rust evaluation, supporting both proactive corrosion control and compliance with industry best practices.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D610 − 08 (Reapproved 2019) Society for Protective Coatings
SSPC-VIS-2
Standard Practice for
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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Significance and Use
3.1 The amount of rusting beneath or through a paint film is
1.1 This practice covers the evaluation of the degree of
rusting on painted steel surfaces. The visual examples which a significant factor in determining whether a coating system
should be repaired or replaced. This practice provides a
depict the percentage of rusting given in the written specifica-
tions form part of the standard. In the event of a dispute, the standardizedmeansforquantifyingtheamountanddistribution
of visible surface rust.
written definition prevails. These visual examples were devel-
oped in cooperation with SSPC: The Society for Protective
3.2 The degree of rusting is evaluated using a zero to ten
Coatings to further standardization of methods. The photo-
scale based on the percentage of visible surface rust.
graphs can be used to estimate the percentage of other coating
3.3 The distribution of the rust is classified as spot rust,
defects on various substrates. This standard does not include
general rust, pinpoint rust or hybrid rust.
evaluation of rust propagation around an initially prepared
scribe, score, or holiday.
4. Interferences
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The visual examples that are part of this practice and the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
associated rust-grade scale cover only rusting evidenced by
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
visible surface rust.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.2 The use of the visual examples requires the following
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
cautions:
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.2.1 Some finishes are stained by rust. This staining must
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
not be confused with the actual rusting involved.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2.2 Accumulated dirt or other material may make accurate
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
determination of the degree of rusting difficult.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.2.3 Certain types of deposited dirt that contain iron or iron
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
compounds may cause surface discoloration that should not be
mistaken for corrosion.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2.4 Failure may vary over a given area. Discretion must
2.1 ASTM Adjunct/SSPC: The Society for Protective Coat-
therefore be used when selecting a single rust grade or rust
ings:
distribution that is to be representative of a large area or
SSPC-VIS 2/ASTM D610 Standard Method of Evaluating
structure, or in subdividing a structure for evaluation.
Degrees of Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
4.2.5 The color of the finish coating should be taken into
accountinevaluatingsurfacesasfailureswillbemoreapparent
on a finish that shows color contrast with rust, such as used in
these reference standards, than on a similar color, such as an
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of iron oxide finish.
Subcommittee D01.25 on Evaluation of Weathering Effects.
This practice has been jointly approved by ASTM and SSPC: The Society for
5. Procedure
Protective Coatings.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2019. Published January 2019. Originally 5.1 Select an area to be evaluated.
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D610 – 08 (2012).
5.2 Determine the type of rust distribution using definitions
DOI: 10.1520/D0610-08R19.
Colored visual examples are available at a nominal cost from ASTM Interna- in Table 1 and visual examples in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3.
tional Headquarters (request Adjunct ADJD0610A), SSPC Publication No. 00-08
5.3 Estimate percentage of surface area rusted using the
from Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC), 800 Trumbull Drive, Pittsburgh, PA
15205, http://www.sspc.org. visual examples in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3 or SSPC-VIS 2, or
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