# SSPC-AB 1, AB 2 and AB 3

Source: https://coatmentor.com/standards/sspc-ab-1-2-3/ · Updated 2026-10-14

Qualification and cleanliness of blast-cleaning abrasives: mineral and slag, recycled ferrous, new ferrous.

**Publisher**: AMPP (SSPC)

**Area**: Surface preparation and conditions

The SSPC abrasive standards say what a blast abrasive must be before it touches the steel.

- **AB 1:** mineral and slag abrasives, mostly for one use. It sorts them by type, by crystalline silica content and by the profile grade they produce, and sets limits such as specific gravity, moisture and hardness.
- **AB 3:** new steel and iron shot and grit, never used before.
- **AB 2:** the cleanliness of the recycled ferrous work mix in a shop or field recovery unit, checked during the job.

## The field tests

Abrasive is checked for soluble salts by conductivity (ASTM D4940) and for oil with the vial test (ASTM D7393), before use and at intervals. A maker's certificate does not replace these checks: transport, storage and recycling can contaminate abrasive.

**8** practice items in the members area mention SSPC-AB 1, AB 2 and AB 3 (CIP 1: 3 · CIP 2: 5).

## Related

- **Concepts:** [Surface cleanliness grades](https://coatmentor.com/learn/surface-cleanliness/) · [Soluble salts and the Bresle test](https://coatmentor.com/learn/soluble-salts/) · [Surface profile (anchor pattern)](https://coatmentor.com/learn/surface-profile/)
- **Standards:** [ASTM D4940](https://coatmentor.com/standards/astm-d4940/) · [ASTM D7393](https://coatmentor.com/standards/astm-d7393/) · [ISO 11124 to 11127](https://coatmentor.com/standards/iso-11124-11127/)

## About this page

**Also published openly:** [KTA-Tator: abrasive testing in the shop and field (SSPC-AB, ASTM D4940, D7393)](https://kta.com/abrasive-testing-in-the-shop-field/).

This page describes the subject of SSPC-AB 1, AB 2 and AB 3 in our own words; it does not reproduce the standard. For the full text, buy the current edition from AMPP. Checked on 2026-10-14; errors go in the [corrections log](https://coatmentor.com/method/). CoatMentor is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with ISO, AMPP, SSPC, NACE International, ASTM or FROSIO.