INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 8504-4
First edition
2022-08
Preparation of steel substrates before
application of paints and related
products — Surface preparation
methods —
Part 4:
Acid pickling
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Préparation des subjectiles d'acier avant application de peintures et
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de produits assimilés — Méthodes de préparation des subjectiles —
Partie 4: Décapage à l'acide
ISO 8504-4:2022
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8504-4-2022
Reference number
ISO 8504-4:2022(E)
© ISO 2022
ISO 8504-4:2022(E)
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ISO 8504-4:2022
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8504-4-2022
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2022
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2022 – All rights reserved
ISO 8504-4:2022(E)
Contents Page
Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... iv
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v
1 Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
4 General............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
4.1 Pickling liquid........................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.1.1 Requirements to the chemical materials....................................................................................................... 2
4.1.2 Requirements to the formulation and process conditions of a pickling liquid............ 2
4.1.3 Example of formulation and process conditions of a pickling liquid.................................... 2
4.2 General requirements....................................................................................................................................................................... 2
4.2.1 Requirements to the bath equipment materials..................................................................................... 2
4.2.2 Requirements to the bath analysis..................................................................................................................... 2
4.3 Health and safety................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
5 Method of acid pickling.................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
5.1 Procedure for acid pickling.......................................................................................................................................................... 3
5.2 Preparation................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
5.3 Degreasing.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
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5.3.1 Components and conditions...................................................................................................................................... 3
5.3.2 Immersion method............................................................................................................................................................ 4
5.3.3 Part placement...................................................................................................................................................................... 4
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5.3.4 Immersion time.................................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.3.5 Process temperature....................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.4 Fresh water rinsing and/or washing................................................................................................................................... 4
5.4.1 Fresh water rinsing ISO 8504-4:2022
process ..................................................................................................................................... 4
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5.4.2 Rinsing water temperature....................................................................................................................................... 4
5.4.3 Fresh water washing 8504-4-2022
process.................................................................................................................................. 4
5.5 Pickling........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.5.1 Immersion requirement................................................................................................................................................ 4
5.5.2 Part placement...................................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.5.3 Immersion time.................................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.5.4 Process temperature....................................................................................................................................................... 4
5.6 Post treatment......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
5.6.1 Conversion layer.................................................................................................................................................................. 5
5.6.2 Surface neutralization.................................................................................................................................................... 5
5.6.3 Improvement of the phosphate layer................................................................................................................ 5
5.6.4 Quality check and assurance.................................................................................................................................... 5
5.6.5 Drying........................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
6 Assessment of cleaned surface.............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Annex A (informative) Formulation and condition of common process liquids.................................................... 6
Bibliography................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
© ISO 2022 – All rights reserved iii
ISO 8504-4:2022(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see [Link]/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see [Link]/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
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[Link]/iso/[Link].
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 35, Paints and varnishes, Subcommittee
SC 12, Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products.
ISO 8504-4:2022
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A list of all parts in the ISO 8504 series can be found on the ISO website.
8504-4-2022
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at [Link]/[Link].
iv © ISO 2022 – All rights reserved
ISO 8504-4:2022(E)
Introduction
The performance of protective coatings of paint and related products applied to steel is significantly
affected by the state of the steel surface immediately prior to painting. The principal factors that are
known to influence this performance are:
— the presence of rust and mill scale;
— the presence of surface contaminants, including salts, dust, oils and greases;
— the surface profile.
The ISO 8501 series, the ISO 8502 series and the ISO 8503 series provide methods for assessing these
factors. The ISO 8504 series however provides guidance on the preparation methods that are available
for cleaning steel substrates, indicating the capabilities of each in attaining the specified levels of
cleanliness.
This document describes acid pickling, which is an effective method for surface preparation. It is widely
applicable because this method of surface preparation has a number of versatile features listed below.
a) In general, the equipment is stationary but can be mobile.
b) The method is applicable to most types and forms of steel surface, especially those that would
deform by abrasive blast-cleaning.
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It is possible to remove rust or mill scale and non-steel metal traces from internal, external and
complex structures surfaces.
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Acid pickling can be performed for decorative and or aesthetic purposes.
There are several items that should be included in the purchaser's procurement documents to
ISO 8504-4:2022
supplement this document. Surface imperfections should be considered before surface preparation
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and coating application. The ISO 8504 series does not contain recommendations for surface cleaning of
equipment and cleaning of pipelines (such8504-4-2022
as chemical pipelines, petroleum pipelines).
The ISO 8504 series does not contain recommendations for the protective coating system to be
applied to the steel surface. The ISO 8504 series does not contain recommendations on surface
quality requirements for specific situations even though surface quality can have a direct influence
on the choice of protective coating and on its performance. Such recommendations are found in other
documents such as national standards and codes of practice. The ISO 8504 series is used to ensure that
the specified qualities are:
a) compatible and appropriate both for the environmental conditions to which the steel will be
exposed and for the protective coating system to be used;
b) within the capability of the cleaning procedure specified.
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ISO 8504-4:2022
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8504-4-2022
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 8504-4:2022(E)
Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints
and related products — Surface preparation methods —
Part 4:
Acid pickling
WARNING — The procedures described in this document are intended to be carried out by
suitably trained and/or supervised personnel. The substances and procedures used in these
methods may be injurious to health if adequate precautions are not taken. Attention is drawn in
the text to certain specific hazards. This document refers only to the technical suitability of the
methods and does not absolve the user from statutory obligations relating to health and safety.
1 Scope
This document describes the typical method for acid pickling generally used in a shop facility for
the preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products. It is in general
applicable to new steelwork.
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This method is essentially intended to remove rust and mill scale. Typically, only slight oil residues can
be removed during this process. It can be used on steel surfaces that are easily deformed by abrasive
blasting.
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2 Normative references
ISO 8504-4:2022
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
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constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
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undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 8502 (all parts), Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products —
Tests for the assessment of surface cleanliness
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at [Link] ww.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at [Link] ww.electropedia.org/
3.1
acid pickling
treatment to remove rust and mill scale from steel substrates by means of an acidic solution usually
containing an inhibitor (3.3)
3.2
pickling liquid
liquid mixed of an etching component (an organic acid, inorganic acid and / or complexing agent), an
inhibitor (3.3) and generally a surfactant (3.4)
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ISO 8504-4:2022(E)
3.3
inhibitor
chemical substance or mixture of substances that decreases the pickling rate of metals when added to
the media solution in a certain concentration and form, while maintaining most of the pickling rate on
metal oxides like rust and mill scales
3.4
surfactant
substance that can significantly change the interface state (reduce the surface energy) of the solution
system and can boost the degreasing capabilities
3.5
fresh water
water with a conductivity less or equal to 1 200 μS/cm (at 25 °C), or water of sufficient purity and
quality that it does not prevent the surface being cleaned from achieving the specified degree of surface
cleanliness or non-visible contaminant criteria if contained in the procurement documents (project
specification)
4 General
4.1 Pickling liquid
4.1.1 Requirements to the chemical materials
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The chemical materials for acid liquid, inhibitor and surfactant should be industrial grade and shall
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meet the requirements of and conform to a quality certificate.
4.1.2 Requirements to the formulation and process conditions of a pickling liquid
ISO 8504-4:2022
The acid[Link]
pickling procedures and the preparation of pickling liquid shall be suitable to the material of
the parts to be cleaned, its surface property and quantity. Generally, inorganic acids to be used include
hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and phosphoric 8504-4-2022
acid. Organic acids to be used include citric acid and
oxalic acid.
4.1.3 Example of formulation and process conditions of a pickling liquid
See Table A.2 for examples on the formulation and process conditions of a pickling liquid.
4.2 General requirements
4.2.1 Requirements to the bath equipment materials
The equipment exposed to pickling liquid, such as tanks and pipes, should be made of proper anti-
corrosion material.
4.2.2 Requirements to the bath analysis
Check the concentration of the pickling liquid regularly and add the chemical substance in time to
ensure the concentration of the liquid meets the requirements.
4.3 Health and safety
Equipment and materials used for surface preparation can be hazardous if used carelessly. Many
national regulations exist for those materials that are considered to be hazardous during or after use
(waste management), such as hazardous compounds or carcinogenic or toxic substances. The user shall
be aware of these national or local regulations. It is important to ensure that adequate instructions are
given and that all required precautions are exercised.
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ISO 8504-4:2022(E)
5 Method of acid pickling
5.1 Procedure for acid pickling
The typical procedure of acid pickling is shown in Figure 1.
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NOTE 1 During the parts processing, the steel surface is coated by oil or grease normally, thus degreasing is
needed. Degreasing and pickling also can be summarized in one step, according to the chemical solution used, if
any.
NOTE 2 One or more fresh water washing processes can be necessary, depending on the ease of cleaning of a
part.
Figure 1 — Procedure
5.2 Preparation
For the parts with heavy oil or grease, the surface is washed with organic solvent or water-based
detergent before degreasing.
5.3 Degreasing
5.3.1 Components and conditions
Typically, alkaline solutions and surfactant shall be applied. Examples of the formulation and condition
of degreasing liquid is shown in Table A.1.
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ISO 8504-4:2022(E)
5.3.2 Immersion method
Full immersion shall be adopted for degreasing.
5.3.3 Part placement
The placement of the parts shall be carefully arranged to avoid trapping air inside. Measures such as
stirring or agitating the liquid with ultrasonic wave and compressed air shall be taken to continuously
renew the liquid inside the parts.
5.3.4 Immersion time
The immersion time shall be controlled until all the surface of the part is clean (see Annex A).
5.3.5 Process temperature
If required, the waterborne degreaser temperature can be increased within the limits of the
manufacturer's recommendations (see Table A.1).
5.4 Fresh water rinsing and/or washing
5.4.1 Fresh water rinsing process
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The parts shall be rinsed to clean off any residue by using water with agitation. This can be accomplished
by turning it over several times in the rinsing tank. The immersion time is typically 3 mins to 5 mins.
The water shall be renewed continuously.
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5.4.2 Rinsing water temperature
ISO 8504-4:2022
If required, the water temperature can be increased to 40 °C to 60 °C.
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5.4.3 Fresh water washing process 8504-4-2022
The parts may be washed with a pressurized stream of water, or washed with a water jet. When the
acid stain is washed away, the parts shall be put into the rinse pond.
5.5 Pickling
5.5.1 Immersion requirement
Full immersion shall be adopted for pickling.
5.5.2 Part placement
Gas can form during the pickling process. Parts should be placed in accordance with 5.3.3 to minimize
the risk of trapping the formed gas.
5.5.3 Immersion time
The pickling is completed when the rust or mill scale on the part surface become loose. Further guidance
on the immersion time is shown in Annex A.
5.5.4 Process temperature
If required, the temperature of the liquid may be increased within the limits of the manufacturer's
recommendations.
4 © ISO 2022 – All rights reserved
