EN ISO 4543:1994

Metallic and other non-organic coatings - General rules for corrosion tests applicable for storage conditions (ISO 4543:1981)

Gives guidance on methods of corrosion testing of protective metallic, conversion and other non-organic coatings, with or without additive protection, in heated und unheated storage rooms in all microclimates with or without control of climatic parameters. Specimens and articles may be tested separately or in bilk, and with protective wrappings.

Metallische und andere anorganische Überzüge - Allgemeine Richtlinien für Korrosionsversuche, anwendbar auf Lagerungsbedingungen (ISO 4543:1981)

Die vorliegende Internationale Norm gibt Anleitung über Verfahren der Korrosionsprüfung von metallischen, Konversions- und anderen anorganischen Überzüge, mit oder ohne zusätzlichen Schutz, in beheizten oder unbeheizten Lagerräumen in jedem Mikroklima mit oder ohne Regelung der klimatischen Parameter. Proben und Erzeugnisse können einzeln oder als Menge, mit oder ohne Schutzumhüllung geprüft werden.

Revêtements métalliques et autres revêtements non organiques - Directives générales pour les essais de corrosion applicables aux conditions de stockage (ISO 4543:1981)

La présente Norme internationale donne des directives pour les essais de corrosion applicables aux revêtements protecteurs métalliques, aux revêtements de conversion et aux autres revêtements non organiques, avec ou sans protection supplémentaire, dans des entrepôts chauffés ou non, dans tous les microclimats avec ou sans paramètres de contrôle du climat. Les échantillons et les pièces peuvent être soumis aux essais séparément ou en vrac, et avec ou sans leur emballage protecteur.

Kovinske in druge anorganske prevleke - Splošna pravila za korozijske preskuse, ki so uporabna v razmerah skladiščenja (ISO 4543:1981)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Oct-1994
• ICS: 25.220.40 - Metallic coatings
• ICS: 25.220.99 - Other treatments and coatings
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 262 - Metallic and other inorganic coatings
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 262/SC 1/WG 1 - Test methods (process control) for coatings and performance
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 02-Nov-2009
• Completion Date: 02-Nov-2009
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 4543:1999 - Metallic and other non-organic coatings - General rules for corrosion tests applicable for storage conditions (ISO 4543:1981)

Overview

EN ISO 4543:1994, titled "Metallic and other non-organic coatings - General rules for corrosion tests applicable for storage conditions," provides internationally recognized guidelines for conducting corrosion testing on protective coatings. Developed by ISO technical committee ISO/TC 107 and adopted by CEN, this standard focuses on assessing the corrosion resistance of metallic, conversion, and non-organic coatings under various storage environments. The standard covers tests for coatings with or without additive protection in both heated and unheated storage rooms across a range of microclimates, including those with controlled or uncontrolled climatic parameters.

The methodology enables manufacturers, researchers, and quality assurance professionals to simulate and evaluate real-world storage conditions to predict coating durability and effectiveness in protecting underlying materials from corrosion.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose
  EN ISO 4543:1994 addresses corrosion testing under typical storage environments. It aims to evaluate the resistance of coated products, compare different protective coatings, determine optimal coating thickness, and verify protective wrappings or temporary coatings.

• Test Specimens
  Test specimens may be specifically prepared or actual coated articles, tested individually or in bulk with or without protective wrappings. Specimen dimensions should ensure meaningful surface area exposure, with a minimum recommended size of 50 cm² to reduce edge effects.

• Preparation and Handling
  Specimens must be cleaned of contaminants carefully, avoiding abrasives or solvents that could damage coatings. Test samples are marked clearly with durable identifiers and handled using clean cotton gloves to prevent contamination.

• Exposure Conditions
  The standard defines exposure in storage conditions reflective of actual use - including humidity, temperature, atmospheric pollution, and biological agents - with placement on corrosion-resistant racks or shelves avoiding influence from heat sources, vents, or contaminants.

• Corrosion Environment Monitoring
  Instruments such as hygrothermographs and gas analyzers are recommended to monitor relative humidity, temperature, and pollution levels. Continuous monitoring ensures test conditions mimic real storage environments accurately.

• Test Duration and Evaluation
  The testing duration depends on the coating type and evaluation objectives, continuing until the first visible corrosion signs appear. Periodic assessments at set intervals (e.g., 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 months, up to 60 months) are advised. Results should be thoroughly documented, including photographs and quantitative corrosion data.

• Reporting
  Detailed test reports must include information on specimen materials, coating systems, cleaning methods, storage conditions, environmental monitoring data, test duration, and corrosion evaluation outcomes. This ensures reproducibility and traceability of test results.

Applications

EN ISO 4543:1994 is essential for industries relying on corrosion protection of metal products stored over extended periods. Typical applications include:

• Metal Fabrication and Surface Treatment
  Evaluating the protective efficiency of metallic and conversion coatings used in automotive, aerospace, and machinery manufacturing.

• Quality Control
  Ensuring coatings meet durability and corrosion resistance standards prior to product shipment or long-term storage.

• Packaging and Preservation
  Assessing the integrity of protective wrappings and temporary films that safeguard coated products during storage.

• Research and Development
  Comparing new coating formulations or surface treatments under controlled storage conditions for product improvement.

• Supply Chain Management
  Validating storage conditions and packaging methods to minimize corrosion risk in distribution and warehousing.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive corrosion testing and surface treatment strategy, EN ISO 4543:1994 should be considered alongside other relevant international and European standards such as:

• EN ISO 9227 – Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres – Salt spray tests
• EN ISO 2409 – Paints and varnishes – Cross-cut test for adhesion
• EN ISO 4628 series – Evaluation of degradation of coatings – Visual assessment of corrosion and cracking
• EN ISO 12944 – Paints and varnishes – Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems
• ISO 12344 – Corrosion testing of metals and alloys – Methods related to humidity and climatic conditions

These interconnected standards support comprehensive corrosion resistance testing from laboratory simulations to real-world storage and operational environments.

---

EN ISO 4543:1994 serves as a vital reference for organizations seeking to standardize corrosion testing of metallic and non-organic coatings under storage conditions. Its detailed guidance ensures reliable evaluation of protective coatings, helping industries enhance product longevity, reduce maintenance costs, and improve safety and performance.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-1999
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NLVRXSRUDEQDYUD]PHUDKVNODGLãþHQMD,62
Metallic and other non-organic coatings - General rules for corrosion tests applicable for
storage conditions (ISO 4543:1981)
Metallische und andere anorganische Überzüge - Allgemeine Richtlinien für
Korrosionsversuche, anwendbar auf Lagerungsbedingungen (ISO 4543:1981)
Revetements métalliques et autres revetements non organiques - Directives générales
pour les essais de corrosion applicables aux conditions de stockage (ISO 4543:1981)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 4543:1994
ICS:
25.220.20 Površinska obdelava Surface treatment
25.220.40 Kovinske prevleke Metallic coatings
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

International Standard
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION.ME~YHAPO~HAR OP~AHH3AW’lR fl0 CTAH&WTM3Al.&llMORGANISATlON INTERNATIONALE DE NORMALISATION
Metallic and other non-organic coatings - General rules
for corrosion tests applicable for storage conditions
Revhements m&alliques et autres rev&tements non organiques - Directives g&&ales pour les essais de corrosion applicables
aux conditions de stockage
First edition - 1981-05-15
UDC 669.058 : 620.193 Ref. No. ISO4543-1981 (E)
w
Y
Descriptors : coatings, protective coatings, metal coatings, storage, corrosion tests.
Price based on 5 pages
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of
national Standards institutes (ISO member bodies). The work of developing lnter-
national Standards is carried out through ISO technical committees. Every member
body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been set up 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.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to
the member bodies for approval before their acceptance as International Standards by
the ISO Council.
International Standard ISO 4543 was developed by Technical Committee ISO/TC 107,
Meta//ic and other non-organic coatings, and was circulated to the member bodies in
November 1978.
lt has been approved by the member bodies of the following countries :
Australia India South Africa, Rep. of
l taly
Bulgaria Spain
Czechoslovakia Japan Sweden
Egypt, Arab Rep. of Netherlands
Switzerland
France New Zealand Turkey
Germany, F. R. Poland USA
Hungary Romania
USSR
The member body of the following country expressed disapproval of the document on
technical grounds
United Kingdom
0 International Organkation for Standardkation, 1981
Printed in Switzerland
ISO 45434981 (EI
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
Metallic and other non-organic coatings - General rules
for corrosion tests applicable for storage conditions
-
coated production articles or Parts thereof.
0 lntroduction
Corrosion testing under storage conditions is carried out in Depending on the purpose of the examinations, specimens
may be tested with or without wrappings and with or without
Order to :
temporary protective films.
a) assess the corrosion resistance of different protective
coatings to environments encountered under particular
storage conditions;
2.2 Shape and dimensions
To minimize edge effects and to obtain representative
b) compare the corrosion resistance of two or more pro-
tective coatings; corrosion, the surface area of the test specimens should be as
large as possible and in any case not less than 50 cm2
(5 cm x 10 cm).
c) determine the type and Optimum thickness of a protec-
tive coating and type of protective wrapping;
If the coated articles used are smaller than 50 cm2 in area,
specimens of the same kind may be combined to total the re-
d) evaiuate the relationship between the results of testing
quired minimum surface area, but the results obtained will not
under laboratory and storage conditions.
necessarily be strictly comparable with those obtained on
specially prepared test specimens of the specified minimum
lt involves exposure sf coated test specimens to the action of
area.
corrosive factors encountered in storage and periodic observa-
tion of the test specimens.
The aggressiveness of corrosion in storage rooms depends
2.3 Reparation
upon the humidity and temperature of the atmosphere and
upon the action of other environmental factors which may
Clean the test specimens thoroughly before exposure to
either be constant or may vary periodically or accidentally in a
remove any contaminants that may affect the Performance of
particular microclimate.
the coating System being tested. The cleaning method to be
employed depends upon the nature of the surface and the con-
taminants , but shall not include the use of any abrasives or
1 Scope and field of application
solvents which may attack the surfaces of the test specimens.
This International Standard gi ves guidance on methods of cor- However, if testing coatings with additional temporary protec-
rosion testing of protective mf ?tallic, conversion and other non-
tive films, do not clean the surface.
organic coatings, with or without additive protection, in heated
and unheated storage rooms in all microclimates with or
without control of climatic Parameters.
2.4 Handling
Spetimens and articles may be tested separately or in bulk, and
The handling of test specimens prepared for testing (installa-
with or without protective wrappings.
tion on racks, hanging, etc.) shall be carried out with clean,
totton-gloved hands.
2 Test specimens
2.5 Marking
2.1 Type
Mark the test specimens in such a way that no confusion dur-
ing the storage test is possible. Markings should be legible and
The following types of test specimen may be used :
durable over the whole period of testing and should be made on
-
those areas of the test specimens that are not subjected to
specially prepared specimens covered with the protec-
visual assessment and that have no functional purpose.
tive coating to be tested;
ISO 4 -198li (El
Test specimens mag be marked by one of the foilowing
2.8 Smrage
methods :
Store the test specimens before exposure in a clean, dry at-
positionai not ch coding before the protective
a) coating is mosphere in an air-conditioned, temperature-controiled room
lied (preferred method);
with a relative humidity of 50 % or iess, or seaied in a desic-
aPP
cator, or by seaiing the specimens into evacuated piastics bags
b) stam ping appropriate numbers (with a numbering
containing a desiccant.
stamp);
c) hanging on the test specimen a number piate made of a
3 Operating conditions
corrosion-resistant material, hanging free of the specimen
and attached by means of a ioose-fitting, non-metallic
thread, for exampie nyion thread;
3.1 Corrosion environment
painting with sui tabiy durabie paints on the reverse side
d)
Seiect the test conditions bearing in mind that the data ob-
of the test specimen
tained for a given set of test specimens shouid correspond
with, or be similar to, the actuai conditions of use or storage of
Numbers shouid preferabiy be marked on the front (test) side of
metais, coatings or articies. Before exposure, assess the corro-
the test specimens, at their bottom edge. The hoies on which
sion factors indigeneous to the storage room where testing is to
number plates are hung shouid be situated near the bottom
be carried out.
edge of the specimen so that the piate itseif cannot come into
direct contact with either the test specimen to which the piate
The factors affecting corrosion vary with the nature of the
is attached or with neighbouring test specimens after they have
material being tested and may include any or all of the foiiow-
been positioned in the frame.
ing :
Mark test specimens with figures and ietters so that the foilow-
ing information is indicated : a) atmospheric humidity and its fiuctuations;
a) the type of coating;
air temperature and its fiuctuations;
b)
the type sf wrapping or packaging;
b)
c) atmospheric poilution, both Chemical (such as the
presence of gases and vapours) and physicai (such as dust,
the type of temporary protective coating, if any;
Cl
smoke and foreign matter);
d) a seriai number;
vaiue of, and the fluctuations in, the
d) temperature of the
test specrmens;
the piace and conditions of storage.
el
quaiity of surface cleaning of the test specimens;
el
The markings shouid be minimized, preferabiy by using a sim-
ple code that enabies them to be associated with the informa-
exposure to bioiogicai species;
tion required (sec clause 51.
g) corrosive properties of the materiais in direct contact
2.6 Number
with the surface of the specimen;
Seiect the number of test specimens in any one series of tests
hl type and quaiity of the packaging and its imper-
according to the type of specimen, the number required to
viousness.
evaluate a particuiar physicai property and the number ex-
pected to be removed for examination during the period of ex-
The recommended methods and frequency of monitoring t hese
posure. The number of test specimens of each type used for a
factors are given in the annex.
given evaiuation should not be iess than three for test
specimens having a surface area of at least 50 cm? lf the
specimens have smaiier surface areas, take a correspondingiy
3.2 Storage room and method sf exposure
greater number of test specimens.
2.7 Standard specimens 3.2.1 Location
it is desirabie that Standard test specimens of solid metais, for The test specimens shouid be piaced in particuiar areas of the
exampie zinc, topper or iow aiioy steel, shouid be inciuded
storage room, for exampie on sheives. It is advisabie to
aiongside the test specimens of the coating System being separate off the exposure site in Order to
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