SIST EN 16094:2021

Laminate floor coverings - Test method for the determination of micro-scratch resistance

This document specifies a test method for the micro-scratch resistance with two procedures (A and B) and a test method for polishing resistance (procedure C) which can be used for all types of laminate floor coverings. The resistance to polishing is related to mat surfaces.

Laminatböden - Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung der Mikrokratzbeständigkeit

Dieses Dokument legt ein Prüfverfahren für die Mikrokratzbeständigkeit mit zwei Verfahren (A und B) und ein Prüfverfahren zur Beständigkeit gegen Aufpolieren (Verfahren C) fest, das für alle Arten von Laminatböden angewendet werden kann. Die Beständigkeit gegen Aufpolieren bezieht sich auf matte Oberflächen.

Revêtements de sol stratifiés - Méthode d'essai pour la détermination de la résistance aux micro-rayures

Le présent document spécifie une méthode d'essai de résistance aux micro-rayures comportant deux modes opératoires (A et B), ainsi qu'une méthode d'essai de résistance au polissage (mode opératoire C) ; ces méthodes peuvent être utilisées pour tous les types de revêtements de sol stratifiés. La résistance au polissage concerne les surfaces mates.

Laminatne talne obloge - Preskusna metoda za ugotavljanje odpornosti proti mikropraskam

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 31-May-2020
• Publication Date: 13-Jul-2021
• ICS: 97.150 - Floor coverings
• Technical Committee: ITEK - Textile and textile products
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 14-Jul-2021
• Due Date: 18-Sep-2021
• Completion Date: 14-Jul-2021
• Ref Project: EN 16094:2021 - Laminate floor coverings - Test method for the determination of micro-scratch resistance

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 16094:2012 - Laminate floor coverings - Test method for the determination of micro-scratch resistance
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2021

Overview

EN 16094:2021 is a CEN European standard that specifies laboratory test methods to determine micro-scratch resistance and polishing resistance of laminate floor coverings. It supersedes EN 16094:2012 and adds a new procedure for polishing (procedure C) and a reference HPL calibration plate. The standard is applicable to all types of laminate flooring and is intended for consistent, repeatable assessment of surface durability, especially for decor layers and matt finishes.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test scope: Two procedures (A and B) for micro-scratch resistance and one procedure (C) for polishing resistance (aimed at matt surfaces).
• Apparatus:
  • Martindale tester configured to trace a Lissajous figure (as per EN ISO 12947-1 / EN ISO 12945-2 adaptations).
  • Holder for scrub material with two load versions (approx. 413 ± 2 g ≈ 4 N and 612 ± 2 g ≈ 6 N).
  • Reflectometer for gloss measurement (EN ISO 2813 geometry: 60°; 20° used additionally for high‑gloss surfaces).
  • Diffuse light source providing ~1 200 ± 400 lx and a positioning device for repeatable gloss readings.
• Materials:
  • Nylon web scrub pads embedded with alumina abrasive (very fine, medium fine, ultra‑fine; 89 ± 1 mm diameter). Commercial examples (for guidance only) are listed in the standard.
  • Reference black high-gloss HPL plate with corundum surface for calibration of scrub batches.
• Specimen preparation and conditioning:
  • Typical specimen size 150 × 150 mm; conditioning at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % RH for at least one week.
• Test principle and outputs:
  • Sample is rubbed under controlled load and motion; surface changes evaluated by gloss measurement (before/after) and visual assessment.
  • Gloss change calculated as percentage (or absolute for matt surfaces) and classified into micro‑scratch resistance classes (MSR‑A1…A5).
• Operational details:
  • Definitions included (cycle, rub, Lissajous figure).
  • Annexes cover Lissajous checking and image classification after scratching.

Practical applications and users

• Who uses it:
  • Laminate flooring manufacturers and R&D teams for product development and quality control.
  • Independent test laboratories and certification bodies for durability testing.
  • Specifiers, architects and procurement teams requiring objective performance data for flooring selection.
• Why it matters:
  • Provides reproducible, comparable results for surface resistance to micro‑abrasion and polishing - critical for customer expectations, warranty claims and product differentiation.
  • Enables selection of suitable surface treatments, decor finishes and protective layers to match end‑use requirements.

Related standards

• EN ISO 2813 - Determination of gloss value (20°, 60°, 85°)
• EN ISO 12945‑2 - Modified Martindale method (pilling/fuzzing/matting)
• EN ISO 12947‑1 - Martindale abrasion testing apparatus

Keywords: EN 16094:2021, laminate floor coverings, micro-scratch resistance, polishing resistance, Martindale tester, gloss measurement, mat surfaces, scrub material.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 16094:2012
Laminatne talne obloge - Preskusna metoda za ugotavljanje odpornosti proti
mikropraskam
Laminate floor coverings - Test method for the determination of micro-scratch resistance
Laminatböden - Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung der Mikrokratzbeständigkeit
Revêtements de sol stratifiés - Méthode d'essai pour la détermination de la résistance
aux micro-rayures
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 16094:2021
ICS:
97.150 Talne obloge Floor coverings
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 16094
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 2021
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 97.150 Supersedes EN 16094:2012
English Version
Laminate floor coverings - Test method for the
determination of micro-scratch resistance
Revêtements de sol stratifiés - Méthode d'essai pour la Laminatböden - Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung der
détermination de la résistance aux micro-rayures Mikrokratzbeständigkeit
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 May 2021.

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, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 16094:2021 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 5
5 Apparatus and materials . 5
5.1 Martindale tester . 5
5.2 Holder for scrub material . 5
5.3 Diffuse light source. 5
5.4 Reflectometer . 5
5.5 Positioning device . 5
5.6 Scrub materials . 6
5.7 Double-sided tape . 6
5.8 Soft cotton cloth . 7
5.9 Reference black high gloss HPL with anti-scratch surface by corundum in the surface
layer . 7
6 Assembly and maintenance of the Martindale tester . 7
7 Preparation and conditioning . 7
7.1 Preparation . 7
7.2 Conditioning . 7
8 Test procedure . 7
8.1 General. 7
8.2 Testing . 8
8.2.1 Measurement of gloss levels . 8
8.2.2 Procedure A . 8
8.2.3 Procedure B . 9
8.2.4 Procedure C . 10
9 Test report . 11
Annex A (normative) Method for checking the Lissajous figure . 12
Annex B (normative) Classification of the image after scratching according to procedure B . 13

European foreword
This document (EN 16094:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 134 “Resilient,
textile and laminate floor coverings”, the secretariat of which is held by NBN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by December 2021 and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by December 2021.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 16094:2012.
In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical modifications have been made:
— addition of a method C for evaluation of polishing effect on mat laminate flooring surfaces;
— introduction of a reference HPL for calibration of the respective scrub materials.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: 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, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies a test method for the micro-scratch resistance with two procedures (A and B)
and a test method for polishing resistance (procedure C) which can be used for all types of laminate
floor coverings. The resistance to polishing is related to mat surfaces.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN ISO 2813, Paints and varnishes — Determination of gloss value at 20°, 60° and 85° (ISO 2813)
EN ISO 12945-2, Textiles — Determination of fabric propensity to surface pilling, fuzzing or matting —
Part 2: Modified Martindale method (ISO 12945-2)
EN ISO 12947-1, Textiles — Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale method
— Part 1: Martindale abrasion testing apparatus (ISO 12947-1)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
cycle
completion of all the translational movements tracing a Lissajous figure comprising 16 rubs
Note 1 to entry: This comprises of 16 revolutions of the two outer drives and 15 revolutions of the inner drive of
the Martindale tester.
3.2
Lissajous figure
figure created by movement which changes from a circle gradually narrowing ellipses, until it becomes
a straight line, from which progressively widening ellipses develop, in a diagonally opposite direction
before the pattern is repeated
3.3
rub
one revolution of the two outer drives of the Martindale tester
3.4
mat surface
surface with a reflectometer value R' ≤ 7, measured with 60 ° geometry
Note 1 to entry: See 5.4.
4 Principle
The sample is fixed on a horizontal table. A circular scrub material fixed on a holder impacts on the
sample with a defined load. Table and holder are moved perpendicular to each other in a translational
movement, with defined frequencies, tracing a Lissajous figure. The holder is additionally freely
rotatable around its own axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
The sample is exposed to the scrub material for a predetermined number of rubs. The changes of the
surface are determined by gloss measurement and visual assessment.
5 Apparatus and materials
5.1 Martindale tester
The Martindale tester shall be as described in EN ISO 12947-1 with the following exceptions:
— the “abrading table” is the table for the sample;
— the “clamping ring and mechanism” is not necessary;
— the “specimen holder” is the holder for the scrub material;
— the “loading pieces” are not necessary.
5.2 Holder for scrub material
The holder for scrub material shall be as described in EN ISO 12945-2, with the following exceptions:
— version 1: the rubber retaining ring is not required. This assembly consists of spindle, scrub holder
and small ring weight. The total mass of this assembly is (413 ± 2) g (nominally called 4N);
— version 2: the assembly according to version 1, however the small ring weight is replaced by the
large weight. The total mass of this assembly is (612 ± 2) g (nominally called 6N).
5.3 Diffuse light source
Light source with artificial light providing evenly diffused light giving an illumination on the test surface
of (1 200 ± 400) lx.
5.4 Reflectometer
For gloss measurement with 3 angle measurement geometry as described in EN ISO 2813.
5.5 Positioning device
For gloss measurement on the same position before and after the test with 4 measurement points.
An example of a positioning device is shown in Figure 1.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 measurement area
reflectometer – direction of movement for the measurement

Figure 1 — Sample with measurement area for the 4 gloss measurement points
5.6 Scrub materials
The scrub material shall be a nylon web imbedded with alumina abrasive. Three types of scrub
materials (very fine, medium fine and ultra-fine) are to be used. The scrub materials shall be cut or
stamped on a diameter of (89 ± 1) m
...