Garnet Abrasives – Surface Cleaning Solution to SA Standards

In industries such as shipbuilding, oil and gas, and steel construction, cleaning metal surfaces before painting or applying corrosion protection is absolutely critical. Metal surface cleaning isn’t simply about blasting rust off with high force — it’s a technical process that requires proper knowledge and, more importantly, compliance with international cleaning standards.

Among these standards, the SA (Swedish Standard) is the most mentioned and widely used in Vietnam. Today, Garnet Vina would like to share with you why using Garnet abrasives is the best solution for surface cleaning, and why the Swedish SA standard is trusted by so many businesses.

1. What is the SA Standard? Why is it important?

To put it simply, the SA standard is an international benchmark for evaluating how clean a metal surface is after abrasive blasting. It’s divided into four levels:

- SA 1.0 - Light Cleaning: Mainly removes dust and light rust, suitable for low-demand projects.

- SA 2.0 - Commercial Cleaning: Removes most rust and old paint but leaves some minor contaminants.

- SA 2.5 - Near-White Metal Blast Cleaning: Widely used in industrial projects — removes nearly all contaminants, leaving a clean, bright surface that ensures strong paint adhesion and high corrosion protection.

- SA 3.0 - White Metal Blast Cleaning: The highest level of cleaning — no traces of rust, oil, paint, or dust are left. Used for structures that require absolute corrosion resistance.

2. Why Should You Use Garnet Abrasives for Surface Cleaning?

Garnet is a natural mineral abrasive with outstanding advantages:

- High hardness (7.5–8.0 on the Mohs scale), allowing for quick removal of rust and old coatings.

- Very low dust generation, minimizing risks to workers and the environment.

- Can be reused multiple times (2–5 times) if properly collected and cleaned.

- Free of free silica, ensuring safer working conditions.

Garnet is ideal for dry blasting, creating a standard surface roughness that improves paint adhesion and extends the life of metal structures.

In fact, many of our customers who switched from copper slag and silica sand to Garnet have seen clear improvements:

- Achieving SA 2.5 surface after just one pass.

- Reducing abrasive consumption by 30–50%.

- Significantly shortening project timelines.

Practical Applications of SA Standards Combined with Garnet Abrasives:

- Shipbuilding: Hulls rust after long periods at sea → Cleaning to SA 2.5 standard with Garnet helps epoxy coatings adhere better and increases vessel lifespan.

- Oil and Gas – Pressure Tanks: Require 100% clean surfaces for multi-layer protective coatings → Garnet ensures fast and thorough cleaning.

- Outdoor Steel Structures: Exposed to sun, rain, and dust → Blasting to SA 3.0 standard helps achieve long-term corrosion protection.

3. Key Tips for Achieving SA Standards with Garnet Abrasives

To reach the desired SA standard, besides choosing the right abrasive, businesses should also pay attention to:

- Choosing the right abrasive size:

+ Mesh 30 - 60: For cleaning medium rust and old paint → aiming for SA 2.5.

+ Mesh 20 - 40: For removing thick coatings and heavy corrosion → aiming for SA 3.0.

- Adjusting blasting pressure properly:

+ 6 - 7 bar for heavy rust and thick paint.

+ 4 - 6 bar for moderate surfaces.

+ Inspecting the surface after blasting: Use a magnifying glass or direct lighting to check if the surface meets the standard.

+ Garnet abrasives are not only an optimal choice for cleaning metal surfaces but also an ideal material for achieving SA 2.5 and SA 3.0 levels according to international standards. Following proper cleaning standards significantly improves construction quality, extends product lifespan, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures long-lasting aesthetics.