EN 13523 Coil Coated Metals - Test Methods

The European standard "EN 13523 Coil coated metals - Test methods" consists of sub-standards published under the same title. These standards are briefly as follows:

The standard "EN 13523-0 Part 0: General introduction" describes the general scope of all parts of the EN 13523 standard, provides common definitions for all parts and describes how to sample and prepare test panels for most individual test methods. For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:
- Category 1 coating is a coating formed by applying liquid paint or coating powder with a dry film thickness of up to 60 μm.
- Category 2 coating is a coating or laminated plastic film formed by the application of liquid paint or coating powder with a dry film thickness greater than 60 μm.
- A ply is a layer of coating material obtained from a single application. For fillers the word ply is used instead of film.
- A coating material is a product in liquid, paste or powder form that forms a layer with protective, decorative or other properties when applied to a substrate. Plastic films are also considered coating materials.
- Coil coated metal is metal on which a coating material is applied with coil coating.
- Coil coating is a coating process in which coating material is applied continuously to a metal coil that can be rewound after the film has dried. This process may involve cleaning or pretreating the metal surface. It may also involve single or multiple applications of (liquid) paints or coating powders, single-sided or double-sided, and then cured or laminated with plastic films.
- Organic coating is the dry paint film of the coated product or the plastic film of the metal laminate.
The standard "EN 13523-1 Part 1: Film thickness" describes procedures for determining the dry film thickness of an organic coating (coil coating) on a metallic substrate. Four suitable methods are defined in this standard: magnetic induction, eddy current, micrometer and optical.
The standard “EN 13523-2 Part 2: Gloss” describes the procedure for determining the gloss of an organic coating on a metallic substrate. Gloss is a property of fundamental importance for the appearance of the coil-coated product. The apparatus requires a flat sample with a size larger than the aperture, therefore, irregular surfaces cannot be measured. This method is valid for all pigmented and unpigmented coatings, including metallic/pearl coatings. However, it is only indicative for textured coatings.
The standard “EN 13523-3 Part 3: Colour difference and metamerism - Instrument comparison” describes procedures for determining the instrumental colour difference of an organic coating on a metallic substrate to another used as a reference (often referred to as the reference) and the illuminant-dependent metamerism. When two colour samples have identical spectral reflectance curves, they will match under any illuminant, regardless of their spectral properties. This is called spectral matching. It is also possible for two colour samples with different spectral reflectance curves to match visually under a given light source but not under another light source with different spectral properties. Such matches are called metameric.
The standard “EN 13523-4 Part 4: Pencil hardness” describes the procedure for assessing the relative hardness of an organic coating on a metallic substrate by means of pencils of known hardness. Smooth surfaces will give more accurate results, but the method is also valid for textured surfaces. The more pronounced the texture, the more unreliable the results.
The standard “EN 13523-5 Part 5: Resistance to rapid deformation (impact test)” describes a procedure for determining the resistance to cracking or rupture resulting from rapid deformation of an organic coating on a metallic substrate in terms of the energy that the sample can withstand.
The standard "EN 13523-6 Part 6: Adhesion after indentation (cup test)" describes the terms of the procedure for determining the adhesion of an organic coating to a metallic substrate after indentation by slow deformation. Resistance to cracking can also be assessed.
The standard “EN 13523-7 Part 7: Resistance to cracking in bending (T-bend test)” describes a procedure for determining the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate to cracking when bent through 135 to 180 degrees. Both the folding and mandrel methods are considered in this procedure. The folding method is used for more practical purposes, but the mandrel method is the preferred method when more precise determinations are required.
The standard “EN 13523-8 Part 8: Resistance to salt spray (fog)” describes procedures for determining the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate (coil coating) to salt spray (fog). Neutral salt spray (fog) is generally used for steel and acetic acid salt spray (fog) is used for aluminium.
“EN 13523-9 Part 9: In the “Resistance to water immersion” standard, A procedure for determining the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate to water immersion is described. The method is applicable to all types of organic coatings, including metallics and embossed, textured, pearlescent and printed coatings. The results of the test give an indication of the resistance of the coil-coated metal to water. This method is not intended to reproduce a specific condensation situation.
The standard “EN 13523-10 Part 10: Resistance to fluorescent UV radiation and water condensation” describes the basic principles and a procedure for determining the resistance of an organic coating (coil coating) on a metallic substrate to the combination of fluorescent UV radiation, water condensation and temperature under controlled conditions. Due to the variety of conditions that occur during natural weathering and the extreme nature of the accelerated tests, a correlation between the two cannot be expected. Not all organic coatings perform on an equal footing, but some degree of correlation can be observed between the same general type.
The standard “EN 13523-11 Part 11: Resistance to solvents (rubbing test)” describes a procedure for assessing the degree of cure of a cured organic coating film applied on a metallic substrate by evaluating its resistance to a specific organic solvent.
The standard “EN 13523-12 Part 12: Resistance to scratching” describes a procedure for determining the resistance to penetration of an organic coating on a metallic substrate by scratching with a needle. For some aluminium alloys and steel substrates with a thin gauge below 0,4 mm, it is possible that the needle will deform the substrate instead of scratching it. Under these conditions, this test method is not applicable. Soft coatings such as poly vinyl chloride (PVC) and structured coatings will not give a definitive result due to the soft nature of the coating or the potential for needle snagging. This method is not applicable to conductive coatings.
The standard “EN 13523-13 Part 13: Resistance to accelerated ageing by use of heat” describes a procedure to determine the behavior of an organic coating on a metallic substrate (flat or bent samples) when subjected to accelerated ageing by heating at a specified temperature for a specified period of time. It is not possible to test the heat resistance in a way that controls all possible conditions of use. Therefore, the purpose of this test is to provide basic test methods regarding the effect of heat.
The standard “EN 13523-14 Part 14: Chalking (Helmen method)” describes a method for objectively determining the chalking resulting from natural or artificial abrasion of an organic coating on a metallic substrate. The advantage of this procedure for measuring the chalking of an organic coating is that the result can be read immediately on an instrument. Subjective judgement is not required by visual comparison of test samples with reference samples. This method is not applicable to embossed coatings. In the case of textured coatings, the degree of texture affects the readings. Furthermore, dirt accumulation can affect the readings on samples abraded in the open air.
The standard “EN 13523-15 Part 15: Metamerism” describes the terms of the procedure for determining the metamerism of the colour match of an organic coating on a metallic substrate. When two colour samples have the same spectral reflectance curves, they will match under any illuminant, regardless of their spectral properties. This is called spectral matching. It is also possible for two colour samples with different spectral reflectance curves to match visually under a given light source but not under another light source with different spectral properties. Such matches are called metameric.
The standard “EN 13523-16 Part 16: Resistance to abrasion” describes a method for determining the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate to abrasion and wear.
The standard “EN 13523-17 Part 17: Adhesion of peelable films” describes two methods for determining the numerical assessment of the adhesion of peelable films that have been previously applied to an organic coating on a metallic substrate. Samples can be tested regardless of whether the peelable film is applied in the laboratory or on the production line. Method 1 is preferred for films with adhesive, and Method 2 for films without adhesive.
The standard “EN 13523-18 Part 18: Resistance to staining” describes the test method for assessing the effect of chemicals on the properties of an organic coating on a metallic substrate. This standard covers tests using defined substances to assess changes in properties such as discoloration, change in gloss, swelling, softening, swelling and loss of adhesion.
The standard “EN 13523-19 Part 19: Panel design and atmospheric exposure test method” defines the panel design and describes a procedure for determining the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate to outdoor conditions.
The standard “EN 13523-20 Part 20: Foam adhesion” describes a laboratory method for determining foam adhesion to an organic coating on a metallic substrate under dry and wet conditions.
The standard “EN 13523-21 Part 21: Assessment of panels exposed outdoors” describes a procedure for assessing the behaviour of an organic coating on a metallic substrate during and after exposure in the open air. Panel design, preparation and method of exposure in the open air are carried out in accordance with the standard EN 13523-19.
The standard “EN 13523-22 Part 22: Colour difference - Visual comparison” describes a procedure for determining the difference in colour of an organic coating on a metallic substrate by visual comparison with a standard using diffuse natural daylight or artificial daylight in a standard cabinet. Two colour samples may match in daylight but not under another light source. This phenomenon is called metamerism.
The standard “EN 13523-23 Part 23: Resistance to humid atmospheres containing sulfur dioxide” describes a method for determining the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate to humid atmospheres containing sulfur dioxide.
The standard “EN 13523-24 Part 24: Resistance to blocking and pressure marking” describes a procedure for determining the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate to blocking or pressure marking.
The standard “EN 13523-25 Part 25: Moisture resistance” describes a procedure for assessing the moisture resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate by exposure in a humidity cabinet under controlled conditions.
The standard “EN 13523-26 Part 26: Resistance to condensation of water” describes a procedure for assessing the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate to continuous condensation by exposure in a humidity cabinet under controlled conditions.
The standard “EN 13523-27 Part 27: Resistance to moist pulp (Cataplasm test)” describes a method for assessing the resistance of an organic coating (coil coating) on a metallic substrate in conditions of extreme humidity (acid, alkaline or neutral).
The standard “EN 13523-29 Part 29: Resistance to environmental contamination (dirt pick-up and streaking)” describes a procedure for the comparative assessment of the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate (coil coating) to contamination in an outdoor exposure environment, in particular the contamination defect known as “Tiger stripes”.

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