European Tests standards

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Test methods

ECCA has developed a series of Test Methods in conjunction with CEN. These test methods are a helpful tool for those wanting to test prepainted metal and are detailed in EN 13523, the European standard. This standard has over 25 parts as detailed below:

EN 13523-0General introduction and list of test methods
EN 13523-1

Coil Coated metals - Test Methods - Part 1: COATING THICKNESS
Part 1 specifies the procedures for determining the thickness of an organic coating on a metallic substrate, using electrical measuring devices.

EN 13523-2Coil Coated metals - Test Methods - Part 2: SPECULAR GLOSS
Part 2 specifies the procedure for determining the specular gloss of an organic coating on a metallic substrate. Gloss is a fundamental property in determining the appearance of a prepainted metal product.
EN 13523-3Coil Coated metals - Test Methods - Part 3: COLOUR DIFFERENCE
Part 3 specifies the procedure for determining the instrumental colour difference (CIELAB) of an organic coating on a prepainted metal.
EN 13523-4Coil Coated metals - Test Methods - Part 4: PENCIL HARDNESS
Part 4 specifies the procedure for determining the relative hardness of an organic coating on a metallic substrate, by using pencils of known hardness.
EN 13523-5Coil Coated metals - Test Methods - Part 5: RESISTANCE TO RAPID DEFORMATION (impact test)
Part 5 describes the procedure for determining the resistance to cracking and/or pick-off of an organic coating on a metallic substrate under rapid deformation.  It is defined in terms of the energy which the specimen will withstand.
EN 13523-6Coil Coated metals - Test Methods - Part 6: ADHESION AFTER INDENTATION (cupping test)
Part 6 defines the procedure for determining the adhesion of an organic coating to a metallic substrate after indentation by slow deformation.
EN 13523-7Coil Coated metals - Test Methods - Part 7: RESISTANCE TO CRACKING ON BENDING (T-bend test)
Part 7 describes the procedure for determining the resistance to cracking of an organic coating on a metallic substrate when bent through 135° to 180°. The degree of adhesion may also be evaluated.
EN 13523-8

Coil Coated metals - Test Methods - Part 8: RESISTANCE TO SALT SPRAY (fog)
Part 8 specifies the procedures for determining the resistance to salt spray (fog) of an organic coating on a metallic substrate (prepainted metal). For steel, neutral salt spray (fog) is usually used, and for aluminium, acetic acid salt spray (fog).

EN 13523-9Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 9: RESISTANCE TO WATER IMMERSION
Part 9 describes the procedure for determining the resistance to water immersion of an organic coating on a metallic substrate
EN 13523-10Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 10: RESISTANCE TO FLUORESCENT UV LIGHT AND WATER CONDENSATION.
Part 10 describes the basic principles and procedure for determining the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate  to a combination of fluorescent UV light, water condensation and temperature under controlled conditions.
EN 13523-11

Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 11: M.E.K./SOLVENT RUBBING TEST.
Part 11 specifies the procedure of evaluating the degree of curing of an organic coating on a metallic substrate by determining its resistance to MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) or other solvents.

EN 13523-12Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 12: SCRATCH RESISTANCE.
Part 12 determines the resistance of an organic coating to penetration via scratching with a needle. The test is more applicable to the development of coatings rather than day to day quality control.
EN 13523-13Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 13 : RESISTANCE TO ACCELERATED AGEING BY THE USE OF HEAT
Part 13 describes the procedure for determining the behaviour of an organic coating on a metallic substrate (either flat or bent specimens) when submitted to accelerated ageing by heating at a defined temperature for a defined period of time.
EN 13523-14Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 14: CHALKING (Helmen method)
Part 14 describes the procedure for objectively determining the chalking produced by natural or artificial weathering of an organic coating on a metallic substrate.
EN 13523-15Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 15: METAMERISM
Part 15 defines the procedure for determining the metamerism of a colour match of an organic coating on a metallic substrate.
EN 13523-16Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 16: ABRASION RESISTANCE
Part 16 defines the procedure of determining the abrasion and wear resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate.
EN13523-17Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 17: DETERMINATION OF THE ADHESION OF STRIPPABLE FILMS
Part 17 describes two procedures for the numerical evaluation of the adhesion of strippable films which have been applied to the surface of prepainted metals.
EN 13523-18Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 18: RESISTANCE TO STAINING
Part 18 specifies the test procedures for assessing the effect of chemicals on a range of  characteristics (such as discoloration, change in gloss, blistering, softening, swelling and loss of adhesion) of an organic coating on a metallic substrate.
EN13523-19Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 19: ECCA RECOMMENDATION FOR PANEL DESIGN AND METHOD FOR ATMOSPHERIC EXPOSURE TESTING.
This recommendation covers all aspects of panel design, panel preparation, exposure orientation and rack design for the outdoor exposure and testing of prepainted metals.
EN13523-20Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 20: FOAM ADHESION ON A COATING.
Part 20  describes procedures for testing the adhesion of foam to an organic coating either by pulling off the foam immediately after application or after ageing.
EN 13523-21Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 21: EVALUATION OF OUTDOOR EXPOSED PANELS
Part 21 specifies the procedure for evaluating the behaviour of an organic coating on a metallic substrate during and after outdoor exposure.
EN 13523-22Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 22: COLOUR DIFFERENCE; VISUAL COMPARISON
Part 22 specifies the procedure for determining the difference in colour of an organic coating on a metallic substrate by visual comparison against a standard using either diffuse natural daylight or artificial daylight in a standard booth.
EN 13523-23Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 23: COLOUR STABILITY IN HUMID ATMOSPHERES CONTAINING SULPHUR DIOXIDE
Part 23 defines the procedure for determining the colour stability of an organic coating on a metallic substrate when exposed to humid atmospheres containing sulphur dioxide.
EN13523-24Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 24: STICKING / PRESSURE MARKING
Part 24 describes the procedure for evaluating the resistance of a prepainted metal product to the pressure generated within a coil or a stack of sheets which may result in sticking, gloss transfer, plasticizer migration, colour change, etc..
EN13523-25Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 25: RESISTANCE TO HUMIDITY
Part 25 specifies the procedure for evaluating the humidity resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate, by means of exposure in a humidity cabinet under controlled conditions.
EN13523-26Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 26: RESISTANCE TO CONDENSATION OF WATER
Part 26 describes the procedure for evaluating the condensation resistance of prepainted metal products through assessing changes in the organic coating such as blistering, colour and gloss differences.
EN13523-27Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 27 RESISTANCE TO HUMID POULTICE (CATAPLASMA TEST)
Part 27 specifies a procedure for evaluating the resistance of an organic coating on a metallic substrate (prepainted metal) in conditions of extreme humidity (acid, alkaline and/or neutral). 
EN13523-29 Coil Coated metals – Test Methods – Part 29: RESISTANCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL SOILING (DIRT PICK-UP AND STRIPING)
Part 29 specifies a procedure for the comparative evaluation of resistance to soiling of an organic coating on a metallic substrate (coil coating) in an outdoor exposure environment, particularly the soiling defect known as "Tiger stripes". 
EN 16074 (2011) DETERMINATION OF NON-VOLATILE-MATTER CONTENT AND SPREADING RATE OF COIL COATING MATERIALS
This method describes a gravimetric procedure for determining the percentage by mass of non-volatile matter (or percentage by mass of dry solid content) of the majority of thermally cured coil coatings and subsequently for determining the theoretical spreading rate. The method is not suitable for pure epoxy coil coatings. 

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See short videos showing some of these test methods here