prEN ISO 8503-5

• Abstract:

  ISO 8503-5:2017 describes a field method for measuring the surface profile produced by any of the abrasive blast-cleaning procedures given in ISO 8504-2. The method uses replica tape and a suitable gauge for measuring, on site, the roughness of a surface before the application of paint or another protective coating.; The method is applicable within the range of profile heights cited for a given grade (or thickness) of replica tape. The commercial grades currently available permit measurement of average peak-to-valley profiles of 20 µm to 115 µm. The method is valid for surfaces that have been cleaned with abrasives.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 19-Mar-2028
• ICS: 25.220.10 - Surface preparation
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 139 - Paints and varnishes
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 139 - Paints and varnishes
• Current Stage: 4020 - Submission to enquiry - Enquiry
• Start Date: 27-Aug-2026
• Completion Date: 27-Aug-2026
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 - Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products - Surface roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrates - Part 5: Replica tape method for the determination of the surface profile (ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026)

• Revises: EN ISO 8503-5:2017 - Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products - Surface roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrates - Part 5: Replica tape method for the determination of the surface profile (ISO 8503-5:2017)
• Effective Date: 09-Jul-2025

Overview

prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 establishes a standardized field method for evaluating the surface profile of steel substrates after abrasive blast-cleaning procedures. This European and international standard, developed by CEN and ISO, outlines the use of replica tape and a suitable gauge to accurately measure the surface roughness of steel prior to the application of paints and related protective coatings. The standard ensures consistent assessment of surface preparation, a critical factor in determining the performance and longevity of coating systems.

Key Topics

• Surface Profile Measurement: Details the use of replica tape methods to capture and measure the topography of blast-cleaned steel surfaces.
• Applicability: Suitable for surfaces cleaned by abrasive blast-cleaning processes as described in ISO 8504-2.
• Measurement Range: Common replica tape grades allow for profile height assessments between 12 µm and 150 µm, covering typical ranges encountered in industrial blasting.
• Precision and Accuracy: Addresses the need for measurement repeatability and includes guidelines for error management and calibration of equipment.
• Test Reporting: Specifies information for documenting results, ensuring traceability and compliance with industry requirements.

Applications

The replica tape method described in prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 is widely used across industries where the preparation of steel substrates is essential for coating adhesion and durability. Main applications include:

• Protective Coatings: Ensures surfaces are properly prepared for anti-corrosion and paint coatings in industries such as shipbuilding, infrastructure, oil & gas, and manufacturing.
• Quality Control: Used on job sites and in fabrication shops to verify the adequacy of abrasive blasting, supporting compliance with project specifications and international standards.
• Maintenance and Inspection: Facilitates repeatable, on-site evaluation of surface roughness prior to maintenance coating applications.
• Documentation: Provides a numerical surface profile and a permanent replica archive, supporting audit trails and technical records.

The method’s portability and ease of use make it practical for field work, non-destructive testing, and work on both flat and curved steel surfaces, promoting uniform coating quality and reducing the risk of premature coating failures.

Related Standards

For comprehensive control over steel surface preparation and coating performance, prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 should be used alongside related standards, including:

• ISO 8501 Series: Visual assessment of surface cleanliness.
• ISO 8502 Series: Test methods for contaminants and cleanliness on steel surfaces.
• ISO 8503 Series: Other parts focus on optical and tactile comparators and additional profile measurement methods.
• ISO 8504 Series: Surface preparation methods for steel prior to coating, including abrasive blast-cleaning (Part 2).

These related documents provide step-by-step procedures, definitions, and quality criteria that, together with prEN ISO 8503-5, help ensure the effective preparation and successful long-term performance of protective coatings on steel substrates.

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Keywords: replica tape, surface profile measurement, steel substrate preparation, blast-cleaned steel, coating adhesion, ISO 8503-5, surface roughness, paint application, field measurement, quality control, abrasive blasting.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2026
Priprava jeklenih podlag pred nanašanjem barv in sorodnih premazov - Značilnosti
hrapavosti peskanih jeklenih podlag - 5. del: Metoda z odtisnim trakom za
določanje profila površine (ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026)
Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products -
Surface roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrates - Part 5: Replica tape
method for the determination of the surface profile (ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026)
Vorbereitung von Stahloberflächen vor dem Auftragen von Beschichtungsstoffen -
Rauheitskenngrößen von gestrahlten Stahloberflächen - Teil 5: Abdruckverfahren zum
Bestimmen der Rauheit (ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026)
Préparation des subjectiles d'acier avant application de peintures et de produits
assimilés - Caractéristiques de rugosité des subjectiles d'acier décapés - Partie 5:
Méthode de l'empreinte sur ruban adhésif pour la détermination du profil de surface
(ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 8503-5
ICS:
25.220.10 Priprava površine Surface preparation
87.020 Postopki za nanašanje Paint coating processes
barvnih premazov
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 8503-5
ISO/TC 35/SC 12
Preparation of steel substrates
Secretariat: BSI
before application of paints
Voting begins on:
and related products — Surface
2026-08-26
roughness characteristics of blast-
Voting terminates on:
cleaned steel substrates —
2026-11-18
Part 5:
Replica tape method for the
determination of the surface profile
Préparation des subjectiles d'acier avant application de peintures
et de produits assimilés — Caractéristiques de rugosité des
subjectiles d'acier décapés —
Partie 5: Méthode de l'empreinte sur ruban adhésif pour la
détermination du profil de surface
ICS: 25.220.10
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 8503-5
ISO/TC 35/SC 12
Preparation of steel substrates
Secretariat: BSI
before application of paints
Voting begins on:
and related products — Surface
roughness characteristics of blast-
Voting terminates on:
cleaned steel substrates —
Part 5:
Replica tape method for the
determination of the surface profile
Préparation des subjectiles d'acier avant application de peintures
et de produits assimilés — Caractéristiques de rugosité des
subjectiles d'acier décapés —
Partie 5: Méthode de l'empreinte sur ruban adhésif pour la
détermination du profil de surface
ICS: 25.220.10
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2026
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Phone: [phone]
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
ii
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Apparatus . 2
6 Maintenance and assurance of calibration for the replica tape method . 2
7 Procedure . 2
8 Specification of acceptable error . 3
9 Test report . 3
Annex A (informative) Measurement errors associated with replica tape determination of
profile height . 5
Annex B (informative) Service life and storage recommendations for replica tape . 6
Bibliography . 7

iii
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
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 committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. 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 documents 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).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent
rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of
patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents). ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any
or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and 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 the following URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 35, Paints and varnishes, Subcommittee SC 12,
Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 8503-5:2017), which has been technically
and editorially revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— Clause 5.3 technically revised to include a spring-loaded compression tool
— Clause 7 technically revised to include a new method of averaging
A list of all parts in the ISO 8503 series can be found on the ISO website.

iv
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
Introduction
The performance of protective coatings of paint and related products applied to steel is significantly
affected by the state of the steel surface immediately prior to painting. The principal factors that are known
to influence this performance are:
a) the presence of rust and mill scale;
b) the presence of surface contaminants, including salts, dust, oils and greases;
c) the surface profile.
ISO 8501 (all parts), ISO 8502 (all parts) and ISO 8503 (all parts) have been prepared to provide methods
of assessing these factors, while ISO 8504 (all parts) provides guidance on the preparation methods that
are available for cleaning steel substrates, indicating the capabilities of each in attaining specified levels of
cleanliness.
These International Standards do not contain recommendations for the protective coating systems to be
applied to the steel surface. Neither do they contain recommendations for the surface quality requirements
for specific situations, even though surface quality can have a direct influence on the choice of protective
coating to be applied and on its performance. Such recommendations are found in other documents, such as
national standards and codes of practice. It will be necessary for users of these International Standards to
ensure that the qualities specified are:
— compatible and appropriate both for the environmental conditions to which the steel will be exposed
and for the protective coating system to be used;
— within the capability of the cleaning procedure specified.
The International Standards referred to above deal with the following aspects of preparation of steel
substrates:
— ISO 8501 — Visual assessment of surface cleanliness;
— ISO 8502 — Tests for the assessment of surface cleanliness;
— ISO 8503 — Surface roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrate
...