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How to select specifications

The standards and regulations for coatings play a crucial role in the coating application process. Different industries and fields have different performance requirements for coatings, which is why there are corresponding regulations and standards, such as ISO, Norsok, ASTM, NACE, etc. During the design phase, it is essential to adhere to these standards and regulations, as they ensure the quality and effectiveness of the coating project and help avoid quality issues caused by non-compliance. Standardized regulations guarantee the durability, corrosion resistance, and UV resistance of coatings, extend the service life of products, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure the aesthetic and long-term performance of the coating. Ultimately, these standards improve the overall quality and value of the project or product.

  • ISO Standards

    ISO standards play a crucial role in the paint and coatings industry by providing comprehensive technical specifications and management requirements that ensure product quality, safety, environmental friendliness, and efficient application processes. These standards cover the entire lifecycle of coatings products, from raw material selection, production processes, application techniques, to final coating quality control, with the aim of helping companies provide high-quality, durable, and environmentally compliant coatings.

    ISO also provides detailed requirements for the application and testing of coatings, such as standards for measuring coating thickness, adhesion, wear resistance, and other performance characteristics, ensuring that the coatings provide lasting protection. By following ISO standards, companies can enhance their product competitiveness in the market, reduce maintenance costs, while meeting global market demand for high-quality, safe, and environmentally friendly coatings.

    ISO standards impose strict requirements on the technical performance of coatings, including corrosion resistance, weather resistance, adhesion, gloss, color stability, and other performance indicators, ensuring the effectiveness of coatings under various environments. Coatings must not only have excellent physical and chemical properties but also meet the specific needs of different environments, such as high-temperature resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and UV resistance, to ensure stability and safety during long-term use. Additionally, ISO standards provide detailed regulations for surface preparation, application methods, and quality control during the coating process. For example, ISO standards emphasize that surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared before coating to ensure good adhesion between the coating and the substrate, preventing peeling or failure of the coating due to uneven or contaminated surfaces.
    ISO Standard Number Standard Name Description
    ISO 8501 Surface Preparation Standard for Steel Substrates Standard for surface preparation of coatings, applicable for assessing the cleanliness and treatment level of metal surfaces.
    ISO 8501-1 Visual Assessment of Metal Surface Cleanliness Standard for visually assessing the cleanliness of steel substrates.
    ISO 8501-2 Steel Substrate Surface Preparation Grades Evaluates the grades of surface preparation of steel substrates.
    ISO 8501-3 Steel Surface Preparation After Sandblasting Requirements for surface preparation of steel after sandblasting.
    ISO 8501-4 Steel Surface Preparation After High-Pressure Water Spraying Standard for surface preparation of steel after high-pressure water spraying.
    ISO 8502 Testing Methods for Surface Preparation Methods for testing the surface preparation process.
    ISO 8502-1 On-Site Measurement Methods for Steel Surface Contamination On-site measurement methods for steel surface contamination.
    ISO 8502-3 Surface Roughness Measurement Methods Methods for measuring the surface roughness of coatings.
    ISO 8502-4 Steel Surface Cleanliness Testing Method Steel Surface Cleanliness Testing Method
    ISO 8503 Surface Roughness Measurement and classification of surface roughness.
    ISO 8503-1 Measurement Method for Steel Substrate Surface Roughness Methods for measuring surface roughness of steel.
    ISO 8503-2 Classification of Steel Surface Roughness Standard for classifying steel surface roughness.
    ISO 12944 Corrosion Protection Coating Systems for Steel Structures Standard for corrosion protection coatings for steel structures, covering various aspects of coating systems.
    ISO 12944-1 Basic Principles and Requirements for Coating Systems Basic principles and requirements for coating system design.
    ISO 12944-2 Environmental Categories and Coating System Design Classification of environmental categories and design requirements for coating system selection.
    ISO 12944-3 Corrosion Resistance of Coatings Requirements for the corrosion resistance of coatings.
    ISO 12944-4 Coating Application Requirements for coating application.
    ISO 12944-5 Coating Maintenance Maintenance management and requirements for coating upkeep.
    ISO 12944-6 Durability and Performance Testing of Coating Systems Testing requirements for the durability and performance of coating systems.
    ISO 17176 Paints and Varnishes – Preparation of Test Samples Methods for preparing paint samples.
    ISO 1513 Paints and Varnishes – Inspection and Preparation of Samples Standards for inspecting and preparing paint samples.
    ISO 15184 Paints and Varnishes – Impact Resistance Testing Methods for testing the impact resistance of coatings.
    ISO 20287 Paints and varnishes – Corrosion performance testing Requirements for corrosion performance testing of coatings.
    ISO 11890 Paints and varnishes – Determination of volatile organic compound (VOC) content Methods for determining VOC content in coatings.
    ISO 11890-1 General method (Gas chromatography) Determination of VOC content by gas chromatography.
    ISO 11890-2 Determination of VOC content by solvent extraction Determination of VOC content by solvent extraction method.
    ISO 2360 Paints and varnishes – Non-destructive measurement of film thickness Non-destructive measurement method for film thickness.
    ISO 1512 Paints and varnishes – Environmental test methods Environmental adaptability test standards for coatings.
    ISO 16474 Paints and varnishes – Artificial climate exposure Artificial climate aging test for coatings.
    ISO 16474-1 Accelerated aging test Standard for accelerated aging tests of coatings.
    ISO 16474-2 UV durability testing Standard for UV aging durability testing of coatings.
    ISO 16474-3 Damp-heat durability testing Damp-heat durability testing for coatings.
    ISO 16000-23 Indoor air quality – Determination of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions Determination of VOC content in indoor air.
    ISO 19081 Paints and varnishes – Natural climate accelerated aging test Natural climate accelerated aging test for coatings.
    ISO 23811 Paints and varnishes – Abrasion resistance test of film Abrasion resistance testing methods for coatings.
    ISO 9244 Paints and varnishes – Scratch resistance test of surfaces Test method for scratch resistance of coating surfaces.
    ISO 16276 Paints and varnishes – Adhesion measurement Method for measuring adhesion between coatings and substrates.
    ISO 16276-1 Measurement method for coating adhesion Measurement methods for coating adhesion.
    ISO 16276-2 Adhesion enhancement treatment Methods for enhancing adhesion of coatings.
    ISO 12944-7 Steel structures – Surface preparation recommendations for corrosion protection systems Surface preparation recommendations for corrosion protection systems of steel structures.
    ISO 12373 Paints and varnishes – Measurement of thixotropy of coatings Method for measuring the thixotropy of coatings.
    ISO 10987 Paints and varnishes – Determination of flash point Method for determining the flash point of coatings.
    ISO 12944-8 Paints and varnishes – Guide for selection of corrosion protection systems for steel structures Guide for selecting corrosion protection systems for steel structures.
    ISO 11708 Paints and varnishes – Coating systems for chemical environments Requirements for coating systems in chemical environments.
    ISO 13076 Paints and varnishes – Measurement of flexibility of coatings Test method for measuring the flexibility of coatings.
    ISO 19069 Coatings and varnishes – Freeze-thaw durability test Test method for the freeze-thaw durability of coatings.
    ISO 10303-22 Coatings and varnishes – X-ray fluorescence method for determining coating thickness Method for determining coating thickness using X-ray fluorescence.
    ISO 1511 Coatings and varnishes – Climate weathering test methods Test method for the weathering resistance of coatings under climatic conditions.
    ISO 11129 Coatings and varnishes – Low temperature test methods Test method for the low-temperature adaptability of coatings.
    ISO 1302 Coatings and varnishes – Gloss measurement Method for measuring the gloss of coatings.
    ISO 11747 Coatings and varnishes – Gelation time measurement Method for measuring the gelation time of coatings.
    ISO 17947 Coatings and varnishes – Heat resistance measurement Method for measuring the heat resistance of coatings.
    ISO 19095 Coatings and varnishes – Test methods for coatings on metal substrates Test methods for coatings on metal substrates.
    ISO 11998 Coatings and varnishes – Abrasion resistance test Test method for the abrasion resistance of coatings.
    ASTM Standards
    ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) is a globally recognized standards organization dedicated to developing and publishing technical standards across various industries, particularly in materials testing, product performance, and quality control. ASTM standards bring together global experts to provide a series of guidelines on material properties, testing methods, and application technologies, offering a unified technical framework for industry development.
    In the paint and coatings field, ASTM standards play a crucial role, covering the performance requirements, testing methods, application techniques, and quality control of coatings. ASTM standards provide detailed technical guidelines for the selection, application, and maintenance of coatings, ensuring that the coatings meet expected performance such as adhesion, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance.
    ASTM Standard Number Standard Name Description
    ASTM D523 Gloss Measurement Standard method for determining the gloss of a coating surface.
    ASTM D1640 Determination of Drying Time of Coatings Test method for determining the touch-dry time and complete dry time of coatings.
    ASTM D3359 Adhesion Testing of Coatings Standard test method for determining the adhesion of coatings to substrates.
    ASTM D3925 Flexibility Test for Coating Films Standard method for determining the flexibility and crack resistance of coating films.
    ASTM D3363 Determination of Coating Hardness Method for determining the hardness of coatings using the pencil hardness test.
    ASTM D2446 Humidity Resistance Test for Corrosion-Resistant Coatings Assessing the corrosion resistance of coatings in humid environments.
    ASTM D4541 Peel Adhesion Test for Coatings Standard method for measuring the adhesion of coatings using a peel test.
    ASTM D870 Water Immersion Test for Coatings Test for evaluating the resistance of coatings to immersion in water, assessing their water resistance.
    ASTM D4236 Safety Testing of Coatings Safety testing for harmful substances in coatings, ensuring they are harmless to humans.
    ASTM D2805 Determination of Coating Hiding Power Test for determining the hiding power of coatings at a specified thickness.
    ASTM D5895 Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Coatings Standard method for determining the volatile organic compound content in coatings.
    ASTM D5178 Non-destructive Measurement of Coating Thickness Method for non-destructive measurement of coating film thickness.
    ASTM D4768 Ultraviolet (UV) Aging Test for Coatings Test for determining the durability and anti-aging ability of coatings under UV radiation.
    ASTM D2794 Impact Resistance Test for Coatings Method for determining the impact resistance of coatings when subjected to impact.
    ASTM D823 Standard Guide for Spray Application of Coatings Standard operating guide for the spray application of coatings, covering various spraying methods.
    ASTM D5230 Chemical Resistance Test for Coatings Assessing the corrosion resistance of coatings to chemicals.
    ASTM D2247 Weathering Resistance Test for Coatings in Humid Environments Test for determining the weathering resistance of coatings in moist environments.
    ASTM D5896 Salt Spray Corrosion Test for Coatings Test for determining the corrosion resistance of coatings in salt spray environments.
    ASTM D1481 Mildew Resistance Test for Coatings Assessing the mildew resistance of coatings, particularly for use in moist environments.
    ASTM D618 Heat Resistance Test for Plastics and Coatings Test for determining the heat resistance of coatings under high temperature.
    ASTM D1647 Drying, Hardening, and Performance Test for Coatings Test for determining the drying, hardening, and performance changes of coatings.
    ASTM D4060 Abrasion Resistance Test for Coatings Test for assessing the abrasion resistance of coatings, suitable for high-wear environments like floors and traffic areas.
    ASTM D2933 Static Discharge Resistance Test for Coatings Method for determining the surface conductivity and anti-static properties of coatings.
    ASTM D7810 Oil Resistance Test for Coatings Test for determining the oil resistance of coatings in oil-contaminated environments.
    ASTM D3357 Surface Wear Resistance Test for Coatings Evaluation of the wear resistance of coatings under dry friction conditions.
    ASTM D1210 Measurement of coating particle size Standard method for measuring the size and distribution of coating particles.
    ASTM D6991 Cold resistance test of coatings Determines the crack resistance and durability of coatings in low temperature environments.
    ASTM D1189 Elasticity test of coatings Measures the elasticity of the coating and evaluates its ability to adapt to different substrate surfaces.
    ASTM D2697 Solid content test of coatings Determines the percentage of solid components in the coating, which usually affects coverage and durability.
    ASTM D3358 Stain resistance test of coatings Evaluates whether the coating can be easily cleaned and maintained after being exposed to pollutants.
    NACE Standards
    NACE International Standards (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) are globally recognized for their leadership in corrosion engineering and protection standards. They aim to advance corrosion control technology by developing and publishing technical standards related to corrosion prevention and repair, including coatings, cathodic protection, and material selection. NACE standards are widely used in industries such as oil and gas, chemicals, power, and construction, with significant influence in the field of corrosion-resistant coatings.
    In the application of paints and coatings, NACE standards provide rigorous requirements for anti-corrosion coatings, ensuring that coating systems have excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for long-term protection in extreme environments. NACE standards cover the selection of coatings, surface preparation, application techniques, and quality control methods for coatings, aiming to improve the performance of coatings in industrial environments. For example, NACE standards provide detailed specifications for the corrosion-resistant performance of steel and other metal surfaces, requiring coatings to maintain good protective functions even under high humidity, salt spray, acidic or alkaline conditions. Additionally, NACE offers testing methods for coatings such as adhesion, thickness, chemical resistance, etc., ensuring the durability of coating systems over time.
    NACE Standard Number Standard Name Description
    NACE No. 1 General requirements for coatings and corrosion layers General standard for coatings and corrosion layers, applicable to basic requirements for coating and corrosion treatment.
    NACE No. 2 Standard for surface preparation of steel Requirements for cleaning and preparing steel surfaces before coating application, including rust removal, degreasing, etc.
    NACE No. 3 Standard for high-quality steel substrate surface preparation Standard for high-quality treatment of steel surfaces, primarily for strict corrosion coating requirements.
    NACE No. 5 Application of anti-corrosion coatings in high-temperature environments Standard for coatings applied in high-temperature environments, including heat treatment and surface protection.
    NACE No. 6 Coating application in chemically aggressive environments Requirements for coatings applied in chemically aggressive environments, suitable for specific corrosive conditions.
    NACE No. 7 Coatings and corrosion treatment standards for marine environments Standards for coatings and corrosion layers applied in marine environments, considering seawater corrosion factors.
    NACE No. 8 Durability test of coatings exposed to humidity Standard for testing the durability of coatings in humid environments, suitable for anti-moisture, water-resistant coatings.
    NACE No. 12 UV Resistance Requirements of Anti-corrosion Coatings Requirements for testing the UV resistance of coatings, applicable to environments exposed to sunlight and ultraviolet light.
    NACE No. 13 Coating's Resistance to Soil and Groundwater Corrosion Standards for the application of coatings in underground environments, evaluating their corrosion resistance to soil and groundwater.
    NACE No. 17 Durability Testing of Coatings in Warm Climates Durability testing for coatings in warm climate environments, considering high temperatures and humidity factors.
    NACE No. 18 Anti-corrosion Coating Standards for Oil and Gas Pipelines Standards for the application of anti-corrosion coatings on oil and gas pipelines, covering coating design and construction requirements.
    NACE No. 20 Water Resistance and Permeability Testing of Coatings Testing the water resistance and permeability of coatings, applicable to underwater structures and other moist environments.
    NACE No. 21 Wear Resistance Standards for Coatings Wear resistance performance requirements for coatings, particularly suited for mechanical, transportation, and high-friction environments.
    NACE No. 22 Coating's Corrosion Resistance to High Salinity Environments Testing the corrosion resistance of coatings in high-salinity environments, suitable for coastal regions and similar areas.
    NACE No. 23 Coating's Pollution Resistance and Self-cleaning Properties Standards for the pollution resistance and self-cleaning properties of coatings, particularly suitable for industrial and construction fields.
    NACE No. 24 Coating's Oil and Chemical Resistance Requirements Testing the corrosion resistance of coatings against oil and chemicals, suitable for environments such as chemical plants.
    NACE No. 25 Freeze-thaw Resistance Standards for Coatings Testing the freeze-thaw resistance of coatings, suitable for protective applications in cold regions.
    NACE No. 26 Friction Performance Testing of Coatings Standards for determining the friction performance of coatings, suitable for equipment surfaces where friction reduction is needed.
    NACE No. 27 Electrical Insulation Requirements for Coatings Requirements for the electrical insulation performance of coatings, applicable to the protection of electrical equipment.
    NACE No. 28 Technical Training and Certification for Anti-corrosion Coating Applications Training and certification standards for coating application personnel, ensuring quality and safety in anti-corrosion construction.
    NACE No. 31 Low Temperature Performance Testing for Coatings Testing the durability and performance of coatings in low-temperature environments.
    NACE No. 32 Coating System Selection and Design Guidelines Guidelines for designing and selecting coating systems, helping to choose the right coating solution based on environmental conditions.
    NACE No. 34 Quality Control and Acceptance Standards for Coatings and Anti-corrosion Measures Quality control standards for coatings and anti-corrosion measures, ensuring construction quality.
    NACE No. 36 Coatings Application Standards for Extreme Environments Requirements for the application of coatings in extreme climates and environments, such as extremely high or low temperatures.
    NACE No. 37 Coating's Acid and Alkali Resistance Requirements Requirements for coatings' resistance to acid and alkali corrosion, suitable for special environments such as chemical laboratories.
    NACE No. 40 Coating's Organic Solvent Corrosion Resistance Testing Testing the corrosion resistance of coatings against organic solvents (e.g., oils, alcohols, etc.).
    SSPC Standards

    SSPC (The Society for Protective Coatings) is a globally leading organization in the field of coatings and anti-corrosion coatings, focused on coating technology, coating construction, and best practices for corrosion protection. SSPC develops a series of technical standards aimed at improving the quality of coating applications and the long-term performance of coating systems, especially in industrial and marine environments. SSPC standards are widely applied in industries such as construction, oil, gas, power, and shipping, ensuring effective protection of coatings in harsh environments.

    By following SSPC standards, companies can enhance the precision and effectiveness of coating applications, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure that coating systems remain stable in highly corrosive environments for long periods, thus increasing the lifespan of equipment and facilities. SSPC standards provide reliable technical support to the global coating industry and drive the continuous development of anti-corrosion coating technologies.

    In the application of paints and coatings, SSPC standards mainly involve surface preparation, coating methods, quality testing, and corrosion protection. SSPC standards provide detailed surface preparation requirements for different substrates (such as steel, aluminum, concrete, etc.) to ensure the adhesion and durability of coatings. During the coating process, SSPC standards specify construction environments, coating application techniques, equipment selection, and safety operations to ensure that coatings provide long-term corrosion protection after application. In particular, the SSPC standard for "Coating Application and Corrosion Control Systems" emphasizes coating selection, control of coating thickness, and inspection of construction quality, ensuring that coatings achieve the expected results in preventing corrosion and extending the lifespan of structures.

    SSPC Standard Number Standard Name Description
    SSPC-SP 1 Oil and Grease Removal Cleaning requirements for the surface of coatings to remove oil, grease, dirt, etc.
    SSPC-SP 2 Hand Tool Cleaning Surface preparation standard for hand tool cleaning to remove rust, old coatings, and other contaminants.
    SSPC-SP 3 Electric Tool Cleaning Standard for cleaning and smoothing metal surfaces using electric tools.
    SSPC-SP 5 White Metal Cleanliness Surface cleaning to the highest level, removing all rust, oil, oxides, and other contaminants.
    SSPC-SP 6 Commercial Grade Cleanliness Relatively high surface cleanliness requirements, suitable for most coating projects.
    SSPC-SP 7 Brush-Off Cleanliness Standard for cleaning with a brush-off method under low surface preparation requirements.
    SSPC-SP 10 Near-White Metal Cleanliness Surface with almost no rust or oxidation, suitable for applications requiring high durability coatings.
    SSPC-SP 11 Power Tool Cleaning The standard for cleaning using power tools to remove rust and contaminants.
    SSPC-PA 1 Coating Thickness Measurement Method for measuring coating thickness to ensure it meets required specifications.
    SSPC-PA 2 Coating Film Thickness Control Standard for controlling the thickness of coating films during application.
    SSPC-PA 3 Wet Film Thickness Measurement Standard for measuring wet film thickness during coating application.
    SSPC-AB 1 Coating Material Application Procedures Standards for the application methods and techniques of coatings across various surfaces.
    SSPC-QP 1 Spraying Operation Certification Standard for certifying spray operators to ensure quality compliance.
    SSPC-QP 2 Coating Contractor Certification Certification for coating contractors to ensure they meet standards and have the necessary capabilities.
    SSPC-QP 3 Coating Application Expert Certification Requirements for certifying coating application experts, ensuring they have the necessary skills and expertise.
    SSPC-CS 23 Waterborne Coating Application Technology Standards for the application of waterborne coatings.
    SSPC-CS 24 Coating Application Environmental Control Standards for controlling environmental factors such as temperature and humidity during coating application.
    SSPC-TU 2 Corrosion Protection Measures for Steel Surfaces Technical standards for corrosion protection of steel surfaces, including coating system selection and application.
    SSPC-TU 3 Coating Application in Extreme Environments Standards for coating application in extreme environments such as high temperatures and humidity.
    SSPC-CS 6 Surface Coating Corrosion Resistance Testing Assessing the corrosion resistance of coatings in various environments, suitable for industries like petrochemical.
    SSPC-CS 12 Sandblasting Technology Standards Standards for sandblasting processes and surface treatment, applicable to materials like steel and concrete.
    SSPC-CS 7 Spraying Operation Quality Control Quality control standards for spraying operations, including technique and inspection.
    SSPC-TU 8 Rust Resistance Testing for Sprayed Coatings Evaluating rust resistance of sprayed coatings, applicable to marine and industrial environments.
    SSPC-CS 14 Coating Protection Technologies Standards for implementing coating protection technologies to ensure durability and protection.
    SSPC-CS 19 Coating Quality Inspection and Acceptance Standards for quality inspection and acceptance of coatings post-application to ensure they meet the required standards.
    SSPC-CS 20 Corrosion-Resistant Coating Requirements Performance requirements for corrosion-resistant coatings, especially for protective coatings in corrosive environments.
    SSPC-TU 13 Safety Requirements for Coating Applications Standards for safety during coating application to ensure worker protection.
    SSPC-TU 15 Coating Applications in Special Environments Standards for applying coatings in specialized environments such as chemical protection or high-temperature conditions.

How to Select the Right Coating Type?

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ISO 12944 is a standard developed for corrosion protection of steel structures by paints, determining the corrosive environment, anti-corrosion life, paint matching, and film thickness.

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How to Solve Industry with Coatings?

Corrosion factors are numerous and varied.

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