TECHNICAL STANDARD
ISO 11125-3
Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products — Test methods for metallic blast-cleaning abrasives — Part 3: Determination of hardness
ISO
Edition 2 / 2018
Current
WHAT DOES THIS STANDARD COVER?
Specifies a method for determining the Vickers hardness of metallic blast-cleaning abrasives.
WHY IS IT RELEVANT?
Relevant where abrasive hardness needs to be assessed against project or abrasive specification requirements. Do not create an independent PIL pass/fail hardness criterion.
KEY INSPECTION CONSIDERATIONS
The standard provides a test method for determining the Vickers hardness of metallic blast-cleaning abrasives. Abrasive hardness can influence blasting behaviour and durability. The method forms part of the wider ISO 11125 series for sampling and testing metallic abrasives. Results should be assessed against the applicable abrasive requirements rather than treated as a prepared-surface quality result.
WHAT THE STANDARD SHOULD NOT BE USED TO ASSUME
Abrasive hardness does not establish the visual cleanliness or surface profile achieved on the steel. Hardness is only one abrasive characteristic, so a satisfactory hardness result should not be treated as demonstrating complete abrasive suitability or prepared-surface compliance. Method limitations associated with the abrasive particles being tested should also be considered.
PRACTICAL INSPECTION APPLICATION
The method can support abrasive qualification or quality-control activities where hardness verification is required. Inspectors should identify the sample and applicable abrasive specification and retain the result. Prepared-surface inspection should be carried out separately against the project requirements.
RELATED TECHNICAL STANDARDS
RELATED TECHNICAL TOPICS
Abrasives; Abrasive hardness; Blast cleaning
RELATED PIL GUIDANCE
Practical guidance on assessing abrasive blast-cleaned steel surface profile before protective coating application.
RELATED EXPERTISE
Coating Inspection; Testing & Analysis; Technical Consultancy
ABOUT THIS TECHNICAL SUMMARY
Paint Inspection Ltd provides this information to help inspectors, engineers, asset owners and contractors understand the practical relevance of commonly referenced protective coatings standards. This page is PIL technical guidance and does not reproduce or replace the published standard. Users should refer to the current published standard, project specification, coating manufacturer requirements and other applicable contract documents when establishing project requirements or acceptance criteria.
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OFFICIAL STANDARD
PIL technical summaries are intended to explain the inspection relevance of industry standards and do not replace the published document.
STATUS AND SOURCE VERIFICATION
Edition 2 remains current and was confirmed by ISO in 2024.