EN 1370:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies methods for the examination of surface condition (roughness and surface discontinuities) of castings on surfaces that remain as-cast.; This document is applicable to all cast metals and all casting processes except die casting.; This document is not applicable to machined surfaces.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 08-Sep-2026
• ICS: 17.040.20 - Properties of surfaces
• ICS: 77.180 - Equipment for the metallurgical industry
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 190 - Foundry technology
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 190/WG 11 - Surface inspection
• Current Stage: 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 18-Jun-2026
• Due Date: 01-Jun-2027
• Completion Date: 18-Jun-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN 1370:2026 - Founding - Examination of surface condition

• Revises: EN 1370:2011 - Founding - Examination of surface condition
• Effective Date: 02-Feb-2023

Overview

EN 1370:2026 - Founding - Examination of Surface Condition is a European Standard developed by CEN for the evaluation of surface characteristics of as-cast metal castings. The standard outlines procedures for examining both surface roughness and visible discontinuities on surfaces that remain in their as-cast state. EN 1370:2026 is applicable to all cast metals and casting methods except for die casting and is not intended for machined surfaces.

This standard provides clear methods and acceptance criteria to ensure consistent assessment across the foundry industry. By implementing EN 1370:2026, manufacturers and purchasers can achieve a common understanding of surface quality expectations and inspection practices for cast products.

Key Topics

• Surface Roughness Examination:
  EN 1370:2026 details the use of visual tactile comparators and other instruments to evaluate surface roughness. Cast surfaces are compared directly to standardized comparators, such as BNIF 359 and SCRATA sets, under appropriate lighting and conditions.

• Classification of Surface Discontinuities:
  The standard specifies how to identify and classify surface discontinuities (defects such as inclusions, gas porosities, laps, cold shuts, scabs, and inserts) by visual examination, based on severity levels according to measurable dimensions (depth, length).

• Severity Levels:
  Eight distinct severity levels for discontinuities are defined, assisting in setting acceptance criteria tailored to the size, weight, and function of the casting.

• Documentation and Traceability:
  Guidance is provided for recording the results of surface analyses. Inspection records should include casting identification, inspector credentials, comparators used, specific inspected areas, and results, supporting traceability and quality assurance.

• Purchaser-Manufacturer Agreements:
  EN 1370:2026 emphasizes the need for explicit agreement between manufacturer and purchaser regarding surface quality criteria, the zones to be inspected, and acceptance levels. Multiple acceptance levels can be defined for different surfaces on the same casting.

Applications

EN 1370:2026 is vital for:

• Quality Control in Foundry Production:
  The standard is applied throughout the foundry industry for routine inspection of raw cast surfaces to ensure products meet specified surface roughness and defect acceptance criteria.

• Procurement and Supply Chain:
  It provides an objective reference for contractual agreements between casting suppliers and customers, reducing disputes over surface condition by specifying measurable, agreed-upon standards.

• Design and Engineering:
  By referring to EN 1370:2026 during the design phase, engineers can ensure that cast parts will meet required performance, finish, and appearance standards, particularly where aesthetics or functional coatings are critical.

• Inspection Services:
  Third-party inspectors use this standard as a benchmark when carrying out conformity assessments of cast metal products prior to delivery or installation.

Related Standards

• EN 1559-3:
  Founding - Technical conditions of delivery - Additional requirements for iron castings. Provides guidance on acceptance criteria for surface condition of iron castings.

• EN 13018:
  Non-destructive testing - Visual testing - General principles. Outlines general requirements for visual inspection, relevant for surface examinations.

• BNIF 359:
  Standardized comparators for evaluating as-cast surface roughness on all cast metals.

• SCRATA Comparators & ASTM A 802:
  Sets of comparators specifically for iron and steel castings, facilitating the definition and communication of surface quality.

• BS 7900:1998:
  Specification for examination of the surface texture of precision steel castings.

Practical Value

By adhering to EN 1370:2026, foundries and customers benefit from:

• Consistent, objective surface quality assessment
• Reduced ambiguity in technical documentation and procurement
• Enhanced product reliability and appearance
• Streamlined compliance for industry contracts and regulations

Keywords: EN 1370:2026, founding standard, casting surface condition, surface roughness, surface discontinuities, foundry industry, BNIF, SCRATA, quality control, as-cast surfaces, metal casting standards.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 1370:2025
01-oktober-2025
Livarstvo - Preiskave hrapavosti površine
Founding - Examination of surface condition
Gießereiwesen - Bewertung des Oberflächenzustandes
Fonderie - Contrôle de l'état de surface
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 1370
ICS:
17.040.20 Lastnosti površin Properties of surfaces
77.180 Oprema za metalurško Equipment for the
industrijo metallurgical industry
oSIST prEN 1370:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 1370:2025
oSIST prEN 1370:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 1370
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2025
ICS 17.040.20; 77.180 Will supersede EN 1370:2011
English Version
Founding - Examination of surface condition
Fonderie - Contrôle de l'état de surface Gießereiwesen - Bewertung des Oberflächenzustandes
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 190.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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.
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.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 1370:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 1370:2025
prEN 1370:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Comparators . 5
5 Requirements . 5
5.1 General. 5
5.2 Surface roughness examination . 6
5.2.1 General. 6
5.2.2 Surface roughness examination by visual tactile comparators . 8
5.2.3 Surface roughness examination by contact (stylus) instruments or non contact
(optical) instruments . 8
5.3 Visual examination of surface discontinuities . 8
5.3.1 General. 8
5.3.2 Classification of surface discontinuities by dimensions . 9
5.3.3 Classification of surface discontinuities for steel and iron castings by visual tactile
comparators. 10
6 Documentation . 11
Annex A (informative) Significant technical changes between this European Standard and
the previous edition . 13
Bibliography . 14

oSIST prEN 1370:2025
prEN 1370:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 1370:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 190 “Foundry
technology”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 1370:2011.
prEN 1370:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 1370:2011:
— Clause 2 and Clause 3 were added;
— modification of Table 4 for the discontinuities Laps and cold shuts and Inserts;
— editorial modifications.
Annex A provides details of significant technical changes between this European Standard and the
previous edition.
oSIST prEN 1370:2025
prEN 1370:2025 (E)
Introduction
The surface roughness of a casting is influenced by the manufacturing process (moulding, grinding,
finishing, etc.), the moulding materials used (sand, coating, etc.), the production equipment available and
the alloy cast.
Depending on the applications of the casting, the surface requirements are related to mechanical
loadings, appearance, surface treatment, etc.
Since cast surfaces do not exhibit the same cyclic character as machined surfaces it is difficult to evaluate
their roughness using conventional mechanical, optical, or pneumatic devices. Other optical/electronic
means are now available for measuring surface roughness of cast surfaces. For the ease of use, visual
tactile comparators are preferred.
Moreover, in order to take into account the irregularities on as-cast surfaces, ground surfaces or other
means of finishing of castings, comparators should have relatively large dimensions in order to make
them more reliable and their results repeatable and consistent.
Two sets of comparators are in widespread use:
— “BNIF 359 Recommandation technique du Bureau de Normalisation des Industries de la Fonderie.
Caractérisation d'états de surface des pièces moulées — Utilisation des échantillons types
de 110 × 160 mm”, available from CETIM, 44 avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92310 Sèvres, France [1];
— “SCRATA comparators for the definition of surface quality of steel and iron castings”, ASTM A 802
Shorter Set, available from Castings Technology International, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Brunel
Way, Rotherham, S60 5WG, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom [2].
A third set of comparators, for precision steel castings, is also available:
— “SCRATA surface comparators for the definition of surface texture of precision steel castings”,
precision set, available from Castings Technology International, Advanced Manufacturing Park,
Brunel Way, Rotherham, S60 5WG, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom [3].
This document also specifies 8 levels of surface imperfections based on maximum dimensions to be
detected by visual examination.
The SCRATA comparators shorter set [2], can also be used for the classification of surface discontinuities
on steel and iron castings.
BNIF N°359 comparators can be used for all cast metals.

100 mm × 150 mm for SCRATA comparators; 110 mm × 160 mm for BNIF comparators.
oSIST prEN 1370:2025
prEN 1370:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies methods for the examination of surface condition (roughness and surface
discontinuities) of castings.
This document is applicable to all cast metals and all casting processes except die casting.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Comparators
The comparators are essentially positive replicas of actual casting surfaces: as-cast or after further
fettling treatment such as shot blasted or ground.
Full size photographs of the comparators can be used to assist in making a rapid evaluation of the overall
roughness of the comparators. These can give preliminary information for the appropriate selection of a
moulding or finishing process.
It is emphasized however that the comparators, and not the photographs, shall be used to form the basis
of an agreement between the manufacturer and the purchaser.
An overview and a comparison of the different categories and levels of the three sets of comparators are
given in Tables 1, 2 and 4.
5 Requirements
5.1 General
When examination of surface conditions is required, the following shall be as agreed at the time of
ordering:
— category and severity level required;
More than one severity level can be specified for different surfaces of the same casting. This shall be
clearly indicated on the drawing.
— any types of discontinuities which are unacceptable;
— areas of the castings which a
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