ISO 25014:2026

Paints and varnishes — Coatings on concrete — Determination of film thickness on cross section

This document specifies methods for determining the film thickness of a coating on concrete substrate by cross-section method.

Peintures et vernis — Revêtements sur béton — Détermination de l'épaisseur du feuil sur la section transversale

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 26-May-2026
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 35/SC 9 - General test methods for paints and varnishes
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 35/SC 9/WG 31 - Properties after application
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 27-May-2026
• Due Date: 30-Apr-2027
• Completion Date: 27-May-2026

Overview

ISO 25014: Paints and varnishes - Coatings on concrete - Determination of film thickness on cross section is a critical international standard developed by ISO for evaluating the thickness of coatings applied to concrete substrates. This document defines a reliable cross-section method for measuring the dry film thickness of a coating system. Accurate measurement of coating thickness is essential as it directly influences the performance, durability, and protective properties of coatings used on concrete surfaces in construction and industrial applications.

The standard addresses all types of coating systems, including those that incorporate challenging fillers like quartz sand. It is particularly relevant for cured flooring build-ups, providing guidance for manufacturers, applicators, and quality control professionals involved in the development, application, and inspection of protective or decorative concrete coatings.

Key Topics

• Method Specification: ISO 25014 details the procedures for determining coating film thickness on concrete by preparing and analyzing cross-sections. It covers both multi-layer and single-layer systems.
• Equipment and Materials:
  • Cross-section (metallographic) cutting machines
  • Embedding moulds for specimen stabilization
  • Grinding and polishing machines to prepare surfaces for analysis
  • Optical microscopes with thickness measurement software
• Sample Preparation: Drill cores are extracted perpendicularly from coated concrete surfaces, centrally sectioned, embedded, ground, and polished. Careful sample handling is emphasized to ensure integrity and accuracy.
• Measurement Methods:
  • Method A: Calculates average thickness from minimum and maximum values determined at multiple points.
  • Method B: Measures film thickness at equidistant, predefined points across a specified length, enabling statistical analysis and improved precision.
• Reporting Requirements: Specifies essential elements for a compliant test report, including specimen identification, method details, equipment used, numerical results, deviations, and anomalies.

Applications

ISO 25014 is used by a wide range of professionals concerned with the quality control and performance evaluation of coatings on concrete. Key applications include:

• Product Development: Manufacturers of paints, varnishes, and flooring systems use this standard to validate system build-ups and ensure products meet technical requirements for thickness.
• Quality Assurance: Applicators and contractors rely on the standard to verify that installed coatings comply with project specifications and perform as intended in terms of protection, durability, and appearance.
• Claims Evaluation: Regulatory bodies and clients may reference ISO 25014 methods to adjudicate disputes and claims regarding coating failures potentially linked to inadequate or excessive film thickness.
• Inspection of Challenging Systems: The methodology is especially valuable when measuring the film thickness of coatings containing complex fillers such as quartz sand, where standard measurement techniques may fall short.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to coatings on concrete, the following standards are closely associated with ISO 25014:

• ISO 4618: Paints and varnishes - Vocabulary
  • Provides essential terminology for paints, varnishes, and related products referenced in ISO 25014.
• Other ISO 25000 Series Standards:
  • Cover additional aspects of paints, varnishes, and coating system testing, supporting overall quality assessment.
• General Test Methods (ISO/TC 35/SC 9):
  • Complementary standards developed by the ISO Technical Committee for paints and varnishes addressing further methods for evaluating and documenting coating properties.

By following ISO 25014, professionals ensure standardized, reproducible, and internationally recognized methods for determining the crucial parameter of coating film thickness on concrete surfaces, supporting improved performance, durability, and compliance in the coatings industry.

Standards Content (Sample)

International
Standard
ISO 25014
First edition
Paints and varnishes — Coatings on
2026-05
concrete — Determination of film
thickness on cross section
Peintures et vernis — Revêtements sur béton — Détermination de
l'épaisseur du feuil sur la section transversale
Reference number
© ISO 2026
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
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Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Apparatus . 1
5.1 Cross-section machine .1
5.2 Embedding moulds .2
5.3 Grinding and polishing machine .2
5.3.1 General .2
5.3.2 Grinding machine .2
5.3.3 Polishing machine .2
5.4 Optical microscope .3
6 Test specimen . 3
6.1 Drilling .3
6.2 Cross-sections .3
7 Procedure . 3
7.1 General .3
7.2 Method A: Minimum/maximum method .3
7.3 Method B: Average method .3
7.4 Number of determinations .4
8 Precision . 4
9 Test report . 4

iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 35, Paints and varnishes, Subcommittee SC 9,
General test methods for paints and varnishes.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
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iv
Introduction
Physical properties of coatings depend strongly on the film thickness. Hence, the knowledge of the film
thickness in a coating system is important for the product development as well as for the application and
evaluation of claims. Determining the film thickness of systems filled with quartz sand can be particularly
difficult. The method specified in this document can help to determine the film thickness of these systems.
The method described in this document is especially used for measuring the film thickness in cured flooring
system build-ups.
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