EN ISO 15730:2023

Metallic and other inorganic coatings - Electropolishing as a means of smoothing and passivating stainless steel (ISO 15730:2023)

This document specifies the information to be supplied by the purchaser to the finisher, requirements and test methods for electropolishing as a means of smoothing and passivating stainless steel alloys in the S2XXXX, S3XXXX and S4XXXX series, and the precipitation hardened alloys (see ISO 15510 for information on composition).

Metallische und andere anorganische Überzüge - Elektropolieren als Mittel zum Glätten und Passivieren von nichtrostendem Stahl (ISO 15730:2023)

Dieses Dokument legt die Angaben, die der Auftraggeber dem Auftragnehmer zur Verfügung stellen muss, die Anforderungen an das Elektropolieren und die Prüfverfahren für das Elektropolieren fest, das als Mittel zum Glätten und Passivieren von nichtrostenden Stahllegierungen der Serien S2XXXX, S3XXXX und S4XXXX und ausscheidungshärtender Legierungen (siehe ISO 15510 für Informationen zur chemischen Zusammensetzung) dient.
WARNUNG — Die Anwendung dieses Dokuments kann die Verwendung gefährlicher Stoffe, Arbeitsgänge und Geräte mit sich bringen. Dieses Dokument beansprucht nicht, alle damit verbundenen Sicherheitsprobleme zu behandeln. Es liegt in der Verantwortung des Anwenders dieses Dokuments, geeignete Gesundheits- und Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu treffen und die Anwendbarkeit rechtlicher Bestimmungen vor der Anwendung zu überprüfen. Beim Elektropolierverfahren entstehen an den Elektroden große Mengen an Wasserstoffgas und Sauerstoffgas. Es sollten geeignete Luftabsaugungsmaßnahmen ergriffen werden, um sicherzustellen, dass die Gase abgeführt werden. Das Entzünden von Wasserstoffgas kann zu gefährlichen Explosionen führen.

Revêtements métalliques et autres revêtements inorganiques - Polissage électrolytique comme procédé de lissage et de passivation des aciers inoxydables (ISO 15730:2023)

Le présent document détermine les informations que le client doit fournir au finisseur ainsi que les exigences et méthodes d’essai relatives au polissage électrolytique comme procédé de lissage et de passivation des aciers inoxydables des séries S2XXXX, S3XXXX et S4XXXX, ainsi que des aciers inoxydables à durcissement structural (voir l’ISO 15510 pour plus d’informations sur la composition des alliages).

Kovinske in druge anorganske prevleke - Elektropoliranje kot sredstvo za glajenje in pasiviranje nerjavnega jekla (ISO 15730:2023)

Ta mednarodni standard določa informacije, ki jih mora kupec zagotoviti končnemu obdelovalcu, ter zahteve in preskusne metode za elektropoliranje kot sredstvo za glajenje in pasiviranje zlitin nerjavnega jekla serij S2XXXX, S3XXXX in S4XXXX ter izločevalno utrjenih zlitin (za informacije o sestavi glej standard ISO/TR 15510).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-May-2023
• ICS: 25.220.20 - Surface treatment
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 262 - Metallic and other inorganic coatings
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 262 - Metallic and other inorganic coatings
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 31-May-2023
• Completion Date: 31-May-2023
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 15730:2023 - Metallic and other inorganic coatings - Electropolishing as a means of smoothing and passivating stainless steel (ISO 15730:2023)

Relations

• Replaces: EN ISO 15730:2016 - Metallic and other inorganic coatings - Electropolishing as a means of smoothing and passivating stainless steel (ISO 15730:2000)
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023

Overview

EN ISO 15730:2023 - Electropolishing as a means of smoothing and passivating stainless steel - defines purchaser/finisher information, process requirements and test methods for electropolishing stainless steels (S2XXXX, S3XXXX, S4XXXX series and precipitation‑hardened alloys). Adopted by CEN as EN ISO 15730:2023, this international standard explains how electropolishing is used to smooth, brighten and passivate stainless steel surfaces to improve corrosion resistance and hygienic performance.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and supplied information: Details the information the purchaser must give to the finisher (material grades, surface finish criteria, sampling and acceptance criteria).
• Visual and surface requirements: Acceptance criteria for visual defects and surface appearance after electropolishing.
• Process controls: General process requirements covering electropolishing parameters, post‑treatment, rinsing and handling to achieve consistent smoothing and passivation.
• Passivation testing: Specifies tests and acceptance for confirming passivation and corrosion resistance.
• Sampling and test methods: Includes prescribed methods such as:
  • Water immersion test
  • Humidity test
  • Neutral salt spray test (ISO 9227)
  • Copper sulfate test
  • Modified “ferroxyl” test
• Documentation: Requirements for the test report and traceability of results.
• Informative guidance: Annex A provides a typical electropolishing solution formulation and operating conditions (informative only).
• Safety note: Highlights hazards (hydrogen/oxygen evolution, ventilation and explosion risk) - users must implement appropriate safety practices.

Applications and practical value

Electropolishing per EN ISO 15730:2023 is widely used to:

• Improve corrosion resistance by removing free iron and forming a coherent passive oxide layer
• Produce hygienic, easy‑to‑clean surfaces for food processing, pharmaceutical and medical equipment
• Brighten and smooth components for aesthetic and functional applications (reduced friction, stress relief, removal of surface carbon/oxides)
• Standardize finish quality for stainless steel components used in chemical, food, medical and semiconductor industries

Using this standard helps specifiers and suppliers ensure consistent electropolished finishes, reproducible passivation performance, and defensible acceptance testing.

Who should use this standard

• Surface finishers and electropolishing shops
• Purchasing/specification engineers and quality managers
• Stainless steel fabricators and OEMs in food, medical and high‑purity sectors
• Inspectors and compliance auditors evaluating passivation and corrosion performance

Related standards

• ISO 15510 (chemical composition of stainless steels)
• ISO 9227 (neutral salt spray testing)
• ISO 2064, ISO 2080, ISO 4519, ISO 16348 (surface treatment, terminology, sampling and appearance)

Keywords: EN ISO 15730:2023, electropolishing standard, electropolishing stainless steel, passivation, electropolishing test methods, stainless steel surface treatment.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2023
Kovinske in druge anorganske prevleke - Elektropoliranje kot sredstvo za glajenje
in pasiviranje nerjavnega jekla (ISO 15730:2023)
Metallic and other inorganic coatings - Electropolishing as a means of smoothing and
passivating stainless steel (ISO 15730:2023)
Metallische und andere anorganische Überzüge - Elektropolieren als Mittel zum Glätten
und Passivieren von nichtrostendem Stahl (ISO 15730:2023)
Revêtements métalliques et autres revêtements inorganiques - Polissage électrolytique
comme procédé de lissage et de passivation des aciers inoxydables (ISO 15730:2023)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 15730:2023
ICS:
25.220.20 Površinska obdelava Surface treatment
77.140.20 Visokokakovostna jekla Stainless steels
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 15730
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 2023
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 25.220.20 Supersedes EN ISO 15730:2016
English Version
Metallic and other inorganic coatings - Electropolishing as
a means of smoothing and passivating stainless steel (ISO
15730:2023)
Revêtements métalliques et autres revêtements Metallische und andere anorganische Überzüge -
inorganiques - Polissage électrolytique comme procédé Elektropolieren als Mittel zum Glätten und Passivieren
de lissage et de passivation des aciers inoxydables (ISO von nichtrostendem Stahl (ISO 15730:2023)
15730:2023)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 29 March 2023.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 15730:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 15730:2023) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 107 "Metallic
and other inorganic coatings" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 262 “Metallic and
other inorganic coatings, including for corrosion protection and corrosion testing of metals and alloys”
the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by November 2023, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 2023.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 15730:2016.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 15730:2023 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 15730:2023 without any modification.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15730
Second edition
2023-05
Metallic and other inorganic
coatings — Electropolishing as a
means of smoothing and passivating
stainless steel
Revêtements métalliques et autres revêtements inorganiques —
Polissage électrolytique comme procédé de lissage et de passivation
des aciers inoxydables
Reference number
ISO 15730:2023(E)
ISO 15730:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
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
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 15730:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Information to be supplied by the purchaser to the finisher . 2
5 Requirements . 2
5.1 Visual defects . 2
5.2 Process . 3
5.2.1 General . 3
5.2.2 Electropolishing . 3
5.2.3 Post treatment and rinsing . 3
5.3 Passivation testing . 3
5.4 Test report . 4
6 Sampling . 4
7 Test methods . 4
7.1 Water immersion test . 4
7.2 Humidity test . 4
7.3 Neutral salt spray test . 4
7.4 Copper sulfate test . 4
7.4.1 Principle . 4
7.4.2 Reagents . 5
7.4.3 Procedure . 5
7.5 Modified “ferroxyl” test . 5
7.5.1 Principle . 5
7.5.2 Reagents . 5
7.5.3 Procedure . 5
8 Test report . 5
Annex A (informative) Typical electropolishing solution and operating conditions .7
Bibliography . 8
iii
ISO 15730:2023(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
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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 document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use
of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed
patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received
notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are
cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all
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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
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 107, Metallic and other inorganic
coatings, Subcommittee SC 8, Chemical conversion coatings, in collaboration with the European
Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 262, Metallic and other inorganic
coatings, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna
Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 15730:2000), of which it constitutes a
minor revision.
The main changes are as follows:
— the normative references, and the terms and definitions have been updated;
— editorial errors have been corrected.
...