EN 4159:2011

Aerospace series - Paints and varnishes - Determination of resistance to microbial growth

This European Standard specifies a method to assess the ability of biocide-containing coatings to prevent the germination of conidiospores of certain fungi known to be capable of proliferating in fuel systems for aerospace applications.

Luft- und Raumfahrt - Beschichtungsstoffe - Bestimmung der Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen Schimmelwachstum

Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Verfahren zum Beurteilen von biozidhaltigen Beschichtungen zur Vermeidung der Keimung von Konidiosporen bestimmter Pilze fest, die für ihre starke Vermehrung in Kraftstoffanlagen bekannt sind, die in der Luft- und Raumfahrt angewendet werden.

Série aérospatiale - Peintures et vernis - Détermination de la résistance à l'action des microorganismes

Aeronavtika - Barve in laki - Ugotavljanje odpornosti proti razvoju plesni

Ta evropski standard določa metodo za oceno sposobnosti lakov, ki vsebujejo biocid, za preprečevanje kalitve trosov nekaterih vrst gliv, za katere je znano, da se lahko razvijejo v sistemih za gorivo za uporabo v aeronavtiki.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 13-Dec-2011
• Withdrawal Date: 29-Jun-2012
• ICS: 49.040 - Coatings and related processes used in aerospace industry
• Technical Committee: ASD-STAN - Aerospace
• Drafting Committee: ASD-STAN/D 5 - Non-Metallic
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 4159:2012 - Aerospace series - Paints and varnishes - Determination of resistance to microbial growth

Overview

EN 4159:2011 is a European Standard developed by CEN under the Aerospace series that specifies a standardized method for determining the resistance of aerospace paints and varnishes to microbial growth, specifically fungal proliferation. This standard focuses on evaluating biocide-containing coatings' ability to inhibit the germination of conidiospores – the spores responsible for fungal growth – commonly found in fuel systems used in aerospace applications. Microbial growth in such fuel systems can lead to corrosion, blockages, and system failures, making this testing standard crucial for aerospace safety and reliability.

Key Topics

• Purpose and Scope
  EN 4159:2011 targets the assessment of coatings that contain biocides to prevent fungal growth under controlled laboratory conditions. It evaluates coating effectiveness against fungi known to proliferate in aerospace fuel systems, such as Amorphotheca resinae and Aspergillus niger.

• Microbial Growth Mechanism
  The standard focuses on the germination of conidiospores – fungal dispersal cells – which if prevented, halts fungal proliferation and subsequent damage to fuel system components.

• Test Methodology

  • Preparation of a nutrient gel (agarose + glucose) that simulates growth conditions.
  • Application of the gel to coated test panels.
  • Introduction of a precise concentration of fungal conidiospores to the gel.
  • Incubation at a controlled temperature (25 ± 1 °C) to encourage germination.
  • Microscopic examination (100× magnification) at set intervals (0, 24, 48 hours, and beyond if necessary) to quantify germination rates.

• Assessment Metrics
  The success rate of germination is calculated by the ratio of germinated spores to total spores examined, enabling a quantitative determination of fungistatic activity in coatings.

• Test Apparatus and Materials
  Detailed specifications include incubators, autoclaves, microscopy equipment, microbiological tools, and culture media such as Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar.

• Test Samples
  Coated panels measuring approximately 10 mm × 20 mm are tested alongside control panels without biocidal additives. The standard mandates testing multiple replicates for validity.

• Reporting Requirements
  Test reports must document detailed coating information, fungal strains used, germination success rates in test and control samples, test conditions, observations, and inspector identities.

Applications

• Aerospace Fuel System Safety
  EN 4159:2011 is essential for ensuring that protective coatings applied within fuel tanks, ducts, and lines resist fungal contamination, thus preventing blockages and corrosion that could compromise system functionality.

• Quality Control for Aerospace Coatings
  Manufacturers of aerospace paints and varnishes can use this standard to validate the fungistatic properties of new or improved coating formulations before deployment in service environments.

• Microbiological Evaluation in Material Science
  Laboratories specializing in aerospace material testing can adopt EN 4159 to conduct routine assessments of antifungal efficacy, supporting regulatory compliance and product certification.

• Research and Development
  Researchers developing advanced biocidal coatings benefit from standardized germination tests to benchmark performance against established coatings, facilitating innovation in aerospace protective coatings.

Related Standards

• EN 2334 – Aerospace series guidance on chromic-sulphuric acid pickle for aluminium alloys, relevant for surface preparation before coating application.

• EN 2802 – Aerospace series specification covering aluminium alloy sheets used in aerospace structures that might be substrates for coatings tested by EN 4159.

Keywords

• Aerospace paint testing
• Coating resistance to microbial growth
• Biocide-containing coatings
• Fungal germination prevention
• Aerospace fuel system protection
• EN 4159 standard
• Microbial growth inhibition
• Fungistatic activity measurement
• Aerospace surface coatings
• Microbiological testing in aerospace

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Aeronavtika - Barve in laki - Ugotavljanje odpornosti proti razvoju plesniLuft- und Raumfahrt - Anstrichstoffe - Bestimmung der Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen SchimmelwachstumSérie aérospatiale - Peintures et vernis - Détermination de la résistance à l'action des microorganismesAerospace series - Paints and varnishes - Determination of resistance to microbial growth49.040Prevleke in z njimi povezani postopki, ki se uporabljajo v letalski in vesoljski industrijiCoatings and related processes used in aerospace industryICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 4159:2011SIST EN 4159:2012en01-februar-2012SIST EN 4159:2012SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 4159
December 2011 ICS 49.040 English Version
Aerospace series - Paints and varnishes - Determination of resistance to microbial growth
Série aérospatiale - Peintures et vernis - Détermination de la résistance à l'action des microorganismes
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Beschichtungsstoffe - Bestimmung der Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen Schimmelwachstum This European Standard was approved by CEN on 27 August 2011.
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, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 4159:2011: ESIST EN 4159:2012
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