DSS-Th.01.03 — Oxy-Fuel / Plasma Specking

Oxy-fuel/plasma specking presents as fine to mixed-size hot-particle spatter from flame-cutting or plasma-cutting operations that impact and partially fuse to the glass, often oxidizing (dark/brown/blue tones) and/or detaching to leave micro-craters. Classification is appearance-only per VIS (method-agnostic). Inspect under VIS lighting/geometry after Non-Invasive Reveal; record surface numbering and worked-surface status on Forms: Use the Manual Surface-Relief Test (MSRT) only as a single, non-marring pass to confirm relief; it does not determine acceptance.

• Discrete speck field downrange of oxy-fuel/plasma work (balconies, rail steel, façade steel).
• Mix of very fine points and occasional larger blisters/nodules; many show oxidation colors (brown to straw/blue) on retained particles.
• Where particles have popped off, bright-rimmed micro-craters remain; raking light reveals sparkly flanks.

Surface-catch class (MSRT)

• Retained specks and micro-craters typically read SC-1 (slight) to SC-2 (clear) on a single, light, non-marring pass. Do not abrade; use a polymer stylus if a coating is suspected. MSRT supports classification, not acceptance.

Visual signature

• Discrete, non-linear peppering with oxidized color notes on retained particles; micro-craters with bright, rough rims where detachments occurred.
• Usually finer and more uniform than welding slag, but coarser/less uniform than grinder pepper depending on process and standoff.

Viewing / lighting

• Evaluate clean & dry at 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal incidence and oblique sweep (~60°-120°) using raking light to resolve rims/oxidation.

Location / access

• Record pane ID and surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal). If fixed parallax indicates a between-pane presentation, classify CAT-5 by location (out of in-place scope) and refer.

Mechanism cue (context)

• Often aligned with cut direction and gravity/airflow from oxy-fuel/plasma operations; may co-occur with heat tint on nearby metal substrates.

Assign CAT by appearance + MSRT + morphology (three-part cueing). Numeric depth ranges are indicative-measurement is not required for classification.

• CAT-2 (Light): Sparse/light peppering; mostly SC-1; visible primarily in raking at close/standard view. Indicative pit depth: ~20-60 μm; typical pit dia. ≤~0.3 mm.
• CAT-3 (Moderate): Noticeable clusters/fields with frequent SC-2 micro-craters and occasional retained, oxidized specks; clearly visible at standard distance. Indicative pit depth: ~60-150 μm.
• CAT-4 (Severe): Dense peppering, numerous clear-catch craters and intermittent fused nodules; readily apparent at standard & wide-field views. Indicative pit depth: ~150-400 μm+.
• CAT-5 (by location/condition): Between-pane/inaccessible by parallax, active cracks/pane instability, or confirmed functional-coating loss on the surface to be worked → CAT-5 (non-repairable/out of in-place scope).

CAT is appearance-based; acceptance is separate and governed by VIS §6 at 12/36/72 in under defined conditions.

• vs. Welding slag spatter (Th.01.01): Slag often shows larger, irregular fused nodules; oxy-fuel/plasma specking trends finer with oxidation colors more evident on retained particles.
• vs. Grinder pepper (Th.01.02): Grinder fields are typically very fine and uniform, with fewer color tones; oxy-fuel/plasma can show a wider particle size spread and oxidized hues.
• vs. Linear scoring (M.01): Scores are continuous lines; specking is discrete points without run-length.
• vs. Coating anomalies (Co-family): Coating rub/patchiness shows sheen/color shifts without pit rims/fused bodies; on a worked coated surface, any anomaly is not permitted at acceptance (VIS §6.2.e).

• Photo set (VIS): 12 / 36 / 72 in; normal + oblique; include raking macros that resolve pit rims/retained specks and at least one context frame showing proximity to the cutting operation. Record distance/angle in-frame.
• MSRT result: One light, non-marring pass on a representative spot; record SC class (SC-1/SC-2 as observed). Prefer polymer stylus if a coating is suspected.
• Forms: Pane ID; product family & surface numbering; worked surface Y/N; functional coating present on worked surface? (Y/N/Unknown); reveal status; lighting/time; geometry checklist; photos attached.
• Acceptance split: Post-restoration acceptance per VIS §6 at 12/36/72 in; classification ≠ acceptance. Coated-face appearance rules apply per VIS §6.2.e.

• Th.01.03 Oxy-Fuel / Plasma Specking - Discrete hot-particle speck field with oxidized retained specks / bright-rimmed micro-craters on surface #___, documented at 12/36/72 in, normal + oblique with raking; MSRT = SC-[1/2] on representative points. Classification: CAT-[2/3/4] by density and relief; CAT-5 if between-pane, integrity cues, or coating-side loss on the surface to be worked. Forms + photo set completed; acceptance per VIS §6 (separate).