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SSPC-Paint 25
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

Table of
Contents

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

PAINT SPECIFICATION NO. 25

Zinc Oxide, Alkyd, Linseed Oil Primer for Use Over Hand Cleaned Steel
Type I and Type II
1. Scope

3. Referenced Standards

1.1 This specication covers a slow drying French process

zinc oxide, raw linseed oil and alkyd primer suitable for use
over hand-cleaned steel.

3.1 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the referenced standards in effect on the date of invitation to bid shall
govern, unless otherwise specied. Standards marked with
an asterisk (*) are referenced only in the Notes, which are not
requirements of this specication.

1.2 This primer is suitable for exposures in Environmental

Zones 1A (interior, normally dry) and 1B (exterior, normally dry),
and is intended for brush, roller or spray application over steel
surfaces prepared in accordance with SSPC-SP 2, Hand Tool
Cleaning, or better. (See Note 9.6.) Within the limitation stated
in 2.1 it is suitable as a shop primer, eld primer, maintenance
primer, or intermediate coat and is to be applied in accordance
with SSPC-PA 1, Shop, Field, and Maintenance Painting of
Steel. If the primed part of the structure is to be exposed to
the weather, it should be topcoated as soon as practical.

3.2 If there is a conict between the requirements of any

of the cited referenced standards and this specication, the
requirements of this specication shall prevail.
3.3 SSPC STANDARDS AND JOINT STANDARDS:
Guide 13

2. Description

* Guide 7

2.1 This specication contains requirements to ensure

barrier inhibition composition. Consequently, performance is
comparable to that customarily expected from paints containing
lead and chromate pigments.
It has good wetting ability, even for non-blast cleaned steel,
about 36 hours drying time (generally it can be recoated after
24 hours, although the coating will not have achieved a through
dry) and good resistance to weathering before eld coating.
The good wetting ability of this primer is the result of its high
proportion of raw linseed oil. Type II has a lower percentage of
volatile organic compounds (VOC) than Type I. The reduced
VOC content of Type II was achieved by replacing some of the
mineral spirits with high ash naphtha and by making other
minor composition changes. Details of the compositions are
given in Table 1 for Type I and in Table 2 for Type II.

PA 1
SP 2
* SP 3
* SP 5/NACE No. 1
* SP 6/NACE No. 3
* SP 7/NACE No. 4
SP 8
* SP 10/NACE No. 2
* SP 11
* SP 12/NACE No. 5

* SP 15
2.2 The Type I primer contains approximately 65% by
volume of nonvolatile lm forming solids (pigment and binder).
The theoretical spreading rate for a 50 micrometer (2.0 mil)
dry lm thickness is 12.8 m2/L (520 ft2/U.S. gallon). Actual
spreading rates can be signicantly lower. On a calculated
basis, the VOC is 270 g/L(2.3 lb/gal).

Guide for the Identication and

Use of Industrial Coating Material
in Computerized Product Databases
Guide for the Disposal of LeadContaminated Surface Preparation
Debris
Shop, Field, and Maintenance
Painting of Steel
Hand Tool Cleaning
Power Tool Cleaning
White Metal Blast Cleaning
Commercial Blast Cleaning
Brush-Off Blast Cleaning
Pickling
Near-White Metal Blast
Cleaning
Power Tool Cleaning to Bare
Metal
Surface Preparation and Cleaning
of Metals by Watejetting Prior to
Recoating
Commercial Grade Power Tool
Cleaning

3.6 ASTM INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS:

D 79
D 185
D 234
D 235

2.3 The Type II primer contains approximately 70% by

volume of nonvolatile lm forming solids (pigment and binder).
The theoretical spreading rate for a 50 micrometer (2.0 mil)
dry lm thickness is 13.8 m2/L (560 ft2/U.S. gallon). Actual
spreading rates can be signicantly lower. On a calculated
basis, the VOC content is 240 g/L (2.0 lbs/gal).

D 522
D 562

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Specication for Zinc Oxide

Test Method for Coarse Particles in Pigments,
Pastes and Paints
Speciation for Raw Linseed Oil
Specication for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum
Spirits) (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
Standard Test Methods for Mandrel Bend
Test of Attached Organic Coatings
Test Method for Consistency of Paints
Measuring Krebs Unit (KU) Viscosity Using
a Stormer-type Viscometer

SSPC-Paint 25
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
D 600
D 605
D 607
D 1208
D 1210

D 1296
D 1475
D 1542
D 1640

D 2369
D 2371
* D 2448

D 2832

D 3278

Specication for Liquid Paint Driers

Specication for Magnesium Silicate Pigment (Talc)
Specication for Wet Ground Mica Pigments
Test Methods for Common Properties of
Certain Pigments
Test Methods for Fineness of Dispersion
of Pigment-Vehicle Systems by Hegmantype Gage
Test Method for Odors of Volatile Solvents
and Diluents
Test Method for Density of Liquid Coatings,
Inks, and Related Products
(Withdrawn) Test Method for Quantitative
Test for Rosin in Varnishes
Standard Test Methods for Drying, Curing,
or Film Formation of Organic Coatings at
Room Temperature
Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
Test Method for Pigment Content of SolventReducible Paints
Test Method for Water-Soluble Salts in Pigments by Measuring the Specic Resistance
of the Leachate of the Pigment
Standard Guide for Determining Volatile
and Nonvolatile Content of Paint and Related
Coatings

Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by

Small-Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
Specication for Natural Red and Brown
Iron Oxide Pigments
Specication for Synthetic Brown Iron Oxide
Pigment
Specication for High-Flash Aromatic
Naphthas
Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and
Related Pigmented Coatings
Practice for Commercial Packaging
Test Method for Sag Resistance of Paints
Using a Multinotch Applicator

D 3722
D 3724
D 3734
D 3925
D 3951
D 4400

3.7 FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS:

TT-R-266

Resin, Alkyd: Solutions

FED-STD-141 Paint, Varnish, Lacquer and Related Materials: Methods of Inspection, Sampling and Testing
Method 3011
Method 3021.1

Condition in Container
(Canceled) Skinning (Partially Filled
Container)
Reducibility and Dilution Stability

Method 4203

TABLE 1
COMPOSITION
SSPC-Paint 25, Type I
INGREDIENTS

Min.
Wt. %

Max.
Wt. %

Wt. %

Vol. %

ASTM

15.0

17.08.

8.4

2.2

39.0
--10.0

--33.0
12.0

21.5
17.3
5.3
52.5

7.9
9.1
2.7
21.9

D 79, Dry Pigment,

French Process
D 3722/D 3724
D 605
D 607

30.5
30.5

-----

14.5
14.5

23.2
19.8

-----

39.0
---

18.5
---

35.0
---

47.5

78.0

100

100

Federal

PIGMENT (52.5 2 wt. %)

Zinc Oxide
Iron Oxide (85% minimum Fe2O3)
Magnesium Silicate
Mica
TOTAL PIGMENT
VEHICLE: (47.5 2 wt. %)
Raw Linseed Oil
Alkyd Resin Solids

Mineral Spirit Thinner

Driers
TOTAL VEHICLE:
TOTAL:

100

--TT-R-236,
Type I, Class A
Type II, Class B
D 235
--D 600, Non-Lead
---

The preblended composite pigment shall comply with the following:

PROPERTY

METHOD

REQUIRED

pH
Specic Resistance of Leachate

--ASTM D 2448

7 to 8
5000 ohm-cm minimum

see Note 9.3 for supplier of preblended pigment and Note 9.4 for properties of component pigments.

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D 234
---

-------

SSPC-Paint 25
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
Method 4321
Method 4331
Method 4541

Brushing Properties
Spraying Properties
(Canceled) Working Properties and
Appearance of Dried Film

particles. No rosin or rosin derivatives may be used. Benecial

additives such as anti-skinning agents, suspending agents, or
wetting aids may be added.
4.3 The paint shall conform to the composition (analysis)
requirements of Table 3.

3.8 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE

(ANSI) STANDARD:

5. Properties

ANSI Z129.1 Hazardous Industrial Chemicals

Precautionary Labeling

5.1 The primers for Type I and Type II shall meet the requirements of Tables 3 and 4 and of Sections 5.2 through 5.8.

4. Composition
5.2 ODOR: Shall be normal for the materials permitted
(ASTM D 1296).

4.1 Ingredients and proportions shall be as specied in

Table 1 for Type I and in Table 2 for Type II.

5.3 COLOR: The color shall be typical of the specied

mixture of zinc oxide and red or brown iron oxide.

4.2 The primers based on the specied ingredients shall

be uniform, stable in storage, and free from grit and coarse

TABLE 2
COMPOSITION
SSPC-Paint 25.1, Type II
TYPICAL
COMPOSITION

REQUIRED
INGREDIENTS

Min.
Wt. %

Max.
Wt. %

Wt. %

Vol. %

INGREDIENT STANDARDS
ASTM

FEDERAL

PIGMENT*: (54.0 2 wt. %)

Zinc Oxide

15.0

17.0

8.6

2.4

Iron Oxide (85% minimum Fe203)

Magnesium Silicate

39.0

33.0

22.2
17.8

8.3
9.7

Mica
TOTAL PIGMENT:

10.0

12.0

5.4
54.0

100

D 79, Dry Pigment,

French Process
D 3722/D 3724
D 605

2.9
23.3

D 607

VEHICLE: (46.0 2 wt. %)

Raw Linseed Oil

30.5

15.3

25.5

D 234

Alkyd Resin Solids

30.5

15.3

21.7

Mineral Spirit Thinner

22.9

10.5

20.8

D 235

TT-R-266,
Type I Class A
Type II Class B

High Flash Naphtha

10.7

4.9

8.7

D 3734

Driers

D 600, Non-Lead

46.0

76.7

100

100

TOTAL VEHICLE:

100

TOTAL:

The preblended composite pigment shall comply with the following:

PROPERTY

METHOD

REQUIRED

pH
Specic Resistance of Leachate

ASTM D 2448

7 to 8
5000 ohm-cm minimum

* See Note 10.3 for supplier of preblended pigment and Note 10.4 for properties of component pigments.

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SSPC-Paint 25
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
5.6 CONDITION IN CONTAINER: The paint shall show
no thickening, curdling, gelling, or hard caking when tested
as specied in FED-STD-141, Method 3011, after storage for
six months from the date of delivery, in a full, tightly covered
container, at a temperature of 10-43C (50-110F).

5.4 COMPATIBILITY: There shall be no evidence of

incompatibility of any of the ingredients of the paint when two
volumes of the paint are slowly mixed with one volume of
mineral spirits (FED-STD-141, Method 4203).
5.5 WORKING PROPERTIES: The paint shall be easily
applied by brush, roller, or spray when tested in accordance
with FED-STD-141, Methods 4321, 4331, and 4541. The paint
shall show no streaking, running, or sagging during application
or while drying.

5.7 SKINNING: There shall be no skinning in a threequarters lled closed container after 48 hours when tested
in the standard manner specied in FED-STD-141, Method
3021.

TABLE 3
ANALYSIS
REQUIREMENTS
Min.
Wt. %

Max.
Wt. %

ASTM

FED-STD-141

50.5
52.0

54.5
56.0

D 2371
D 2371

19.3
16.1

D 2369
D 2369

Nonvolatile vehicle
Type I
Type II

27.8
26.8

Uncombined water

1.0

D 1208

Coarse particles and skins,

as retained on standard
325 mesh screen

1.5

D 185

Rosin or rosin derivatives

D 1542

CHARACTERISTICS
Pigment content
Type I
Type II
Volatiles
Type I
Type II

TABLE 4
PROPERTIES
REQUIREMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS

Min.

Max.

ASTM

175
77

225
86

D 562
D 562

1.48 (12.3)
1.54 (12.8)

D 1475
D 1475

Fineness of grind, Hegman units

3.0

D 1210

Drying time, hours

Tack free
Dry hard

20
36

4061
4061

Flash point, C (F)

38 (100)

D 3278

Sag resistance, mm (mils)

0.18 (7)

0.25 (10)

D 4400

Consistency* shear rate 200 rpm

Grams
Krebs units
Density, kg/L (lb/US gal)
Type I
Type II

* Consistency 48 hours or more after manufacture.

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FED-STD-141

SSPC-Paint 25
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
to and from another container. Examine bottom of container
for unmixed pigment. Screen paint before applying.
The thinning of paint will change the VOC level. For roller,
brush, or airless spray application, no thinning should be necessary. A minimum amount of thinning may be necessary for
conventional air spray.
Apply by brush or spray to the specied lm thickness
or, if none is specied, to at least 50 micrometers (2 mils) dry
or approximately 75 micrometers (3 mils) wet. The surface to
be painted shall be dry, the surface temperature shall be at
least 3 C (5 F) above the dew point and the temperature of
the air shall be over 4C (40F). Do not paint outdoors in rainy
weather or if freezing temperatures are expected before the
paint dries.
Allow paint at least 24 hours drying time before recoating.

5.8 SALT CONTAMINATION: Content of salt contamination shall have been minimized by the incorporation of only
high purity materials. The specic resistance of the aqueous
leachate of the composite of the pigments in required proportions shall be a minimum of 5,000 ohm-cm when tested in
accordance with ASTM D 2448.

6. Labeling
6.1 Labeling shall conform to ANSI Z129.1.
6.2 Technical data shall be provided for at least all data
elements categorized as essential in SSPC-Guide 13.
6.3 MARKING OF CONTAINERS: Each container shall
be legibly marked with the following information:

7. Inspection
Name: Zinc Oxide, Alkyd, Linseed Oil Primer for Use
Over Hand Cleaned Steel, Type I (or Type II)
Specication: SSPC-Paint 25
Color: Red or Brown Iron Oxide
Lot Number:
Batch Number:
Stock Number:
Date of Manufacture:
Quantity of Paint in Container:
Information and Warnings as may be required by
Federal and State Laws:
VOC Content:
Manufacturer's Name and Address:

7.1 All materials (coatings) supplied under this specication are subject to timely inspection by the purchaser or his
authorized representative. The purchaser shall have the right
to reject any materials supplied which are found to be defective
under this specication. (see Note 9.1). In case of dispute, unless otherwise specied, the arbitration or settlement procedure
established in the procurement documents shall be followed.
If no arbitration procedure is established, then a procedure
mutually agreeable to the purchaser and material supplier shall
be used.

6.4 PACKAGING: Material shall be packaged and labeled

in accordance with the requirements of ASTM D 3951 unless
otherwise specied.

7.2 Samples of paints may be requested by the purchaser

and shall be supplied upon request along with the manufacturers name and identication for the materials. Samples may
be requested at the time the purchase order is placed or may
be taken from unopened containers at the job site.

6.5 DIRECTIONS FOR USE: The following directions

for use shall be supplied with each container of paint:

7.3 Unless otherwise specied, the sampling shall be in

accordance with ASTM D 3925.

Directions for Use of Zinc Oxide,

Alkyd, Linseed Oil Primer for Use Over
Hand Cleaned Steel

8. Disclaimer
8.1 While every precaution is taken to ensure that all
information furnished in SSPC standards and specications is
as accurate, complete, and useful as possible, SSPC cannot
assume responsibility nor incur any obligation resulting from
the use of any materials, coatings, or methods specied herein,
or of the specication or standard itself.

This paint is intended for use as a primer over hand cleaned

steel in atmospheric exposure; it will perform better if the steel
is power tool cleaned, blast cleaned, or pickled. All rust scale,
loose rust, loose mill scale, and loose or non-adherent paint
shall be removed; oil and grease shall be removed to the fullest extent practical, as residues of oil and grease remaining
on the surface will result in decreased paint performance.
Mix paint thoroughly before use. If the pigment has settled, pour off most of the liquid. Thoroughly mix the pigment
with the remaining liquid, taking care to scrape all the pigment
off the bottom of the can. Gradually add the poured-off liquid
and mix thoroughly. Mixing may be made easier by transferring the contents to a larger container or by pouring the paint

8.2 This specication does not attempt to address problems

concerning safety associated with its use. The user of this
specication, as well as the user of all products or practices
described herein, is responsible for instituting appropriate
health and safety practices and for ensuring compliance with
all governmental regulations.

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SSPC-Paint 25
May 1, 1997
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
The calculated resistance for the formula blend using
these purities for the individual paints is 5000 ohm-cm.

9. Notes
Notes are not a requirement of this specication.

9.5 Handle wastes in accordance with federal, state and

local government regulations. See SSPC-Guide 7, Guide
for the Disposal of Lead-Contaminated Surface Preparation
Debris.

9.1 The procurement documents should establish the

responsibility for samples, testing, and any required afdavit
certifying full compliance with the specication.
9.2 The extraction of chlorides and other anions from
corrosion pits in severe corrosivity areas of the structure is
recommended.

9.6 The following degrees of surface preparation are better

than SSPC-SP 2, Hand Tool Cleaning: SSPC-SP 3, SSPC-SP
5/NACE No. 1, SSPC-SP 6/NACE No. 3, SSPC-SP 7/NACE
No. 4, SSPC-SP 8, SSPC-SP 10/NACE No. 2, SSPC-SP 11,
SSPC-SP 12 /NACE No. 5, SSPC-SP 15.

9.3 The preblended composite pigment can be obtained

from Hoover Color Corporation, P. O. Box 218, Hiwasse, VA
24347; Phone (703) 980-7233.

9.7 Type I of this specication very closely matches the

previous version of SSPC-Paint 25.

9.4 During the development of SSPC-Paint 25, the purity

of each pigment was measured in accordance with ASTM D
2448. The specic resistances of the leachate for the individual
pigments were as follows:
French process zinc oxide ....... 20,000 ohm-cm
Iron oxide ................................. 5,000 ohm-cm
Magnesium silicate ................... 2,800 ohm-cm
Mica .......................................... 17,000 ohm-cm

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