oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026

• Abstract:

  ISO 8503-5:2017 describes a field method for measuring the surface profile produced by any of the abrasive blast-cleaning procedures given in ISO 8504-2. The method uses replica tape and a suitable gauge for measuring, on site, the roughness of a surface before the application of paint or another protective coating.; The method is applicable within the range of profile heights cited for a given grade (or thickness) of replica tape. The commercial grades currently available permit measurement of average peak-to-valley profiles of 20 µm to 115 µm. The method is valid for surfaces that have been cleaned with abrasives.

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 01-Nov-2026
• ICS: 25.220.10 - Surface preparation
• ICS: 87.020 - Paint coating processes
• Technical Committee: IBLP - Paints and varnishes
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 02-Sep-2026
• Due Date: 20-Jan-2027
• Ref Project: prEN ISO 8503-5 - Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products - Surface roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrates - Part 5: Replica tape method for the determination of the surface profile (ISO/DIS 8503‑5:2026)

• Revises: SIST EN ISO 8503-5:2017 - Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products - Surface roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrates - Part 5: Replica tape method for the determination of the surface profile (ISO 8503-5:2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2026

oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 is a CEN draft standard for measuring the surface profile of blast-cleaned steel substrates with replica tape and a suitable gauge. It is used before painting or applying another protective coating, especially when a site measurement needs to be recorded and reported in a consistent way.

What does oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 specify?

oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 specifies a field method for determining the surface profile created by abrasive blast-cleaning. The method applies to blast-cleaned steel surfaces and is intended for use before paint or another protective coating is applied.

The document is organized into nine clauses covering scope, references, terms, principle, apparatus, calibration and maintenance, procedure, acceptable error, and the test report. It also has two informative annexes.

Annex	What it covers
Annex A	Measurement errors associated with replica tape determination of profile height
Annex B	Service life and storage recommendations for replica tape

What are the key requirements of oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026?

oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 turns a blast-cleaned surface into a measurable replica, then reads the replica thickness as the surface profile. In practice, that means the user must control the tape grade, the compression method, and the gauge setup if the result is to be meaningful.

Principle and apparatus

Clause 4 explains that the replica film contains crushable plastic microfoam on a polyester substrate. When compressed on the steel surface, the foam collapses and records the profile; the compressed thickness is then measured. A metal-coated version can also be studied with an optical interferometric profiler.

Clause 5 specifies the equipment: replica tape, a spring-loaded micrometer gauge, and a compression tool. The gauge must be designed for replica tape and have flat, parallel circular anvils, while the compression tool is used to burnish the film into the surface. The document names tape grades for different profile ranges, including Coarse Minus, Coarse, X-Coarse, and X-Coarse Plus, so the user can choose a tape that fits the target profile.

Measurement procedure

Clause 7 requires a representative measurement area and a tape grade that includes the expected profile. The gauge is zeroed to subtract the polyester substrate thickness, the tape is applied, and the compression tool is rubbed over the film until the center is uniformly darkened.

Clause 7 also says contaminated replicas are discarded, which matters because dust or blast media can distort the reading. The method calls for at least two replicas at each location. If the two results differ by more than 5 µm, a third replica may be taken and the average of the two closest values recorded.

Calibration, error and reporting

Clause 6 requires regular calibration of the gauge and regular operator checks against suitable standards. If the gauge check falls outside the manufacturer's limits, the instrument shall not be used. The tape batch number should also be noted.

Clause 8 says the specification must state how the profile was determined, and the acceptable profile range must be agreed between the interested parties before measurement starts. Clause 9 then lists the minimum report items, including the standard reference, tape batch number, measured profiles, measurement locations, calibration date, site identification, operator name, deviations, and unusual observations.

What terms does oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 define?

• Surface profile - The measured roughness of the blast-cleaned steel surface, expressed here through the replica thickness.
• Replica tape - A tape with crushable microfoam on a polyester substrate that captures the surface profile.
• Micrometer gauge - The spring-loaded instrument used to read the thickness of the compressed replica.
• Compression tool - The rounded tool used to press and burnish the tape against the surface.
• Blast-cleaned steel substrates - Steel surfaces cleaned by abrasive blast-cleaning, which is the valid surface condition for this method.
• Coarse Minus / Coarse / X-Coarse / X-Coarse Plus - Tape grades matched to different profile-height ranges.

Who uses oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026?

Site inspectors, coating contractors, quality managers, and buyers in steel fabrication and protective coating work use oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 to check whether blast-cleaned steel is ready for painting. It is useful for acceptance checks, job-site documentation, and repeatable comparisons between locations, especially on curved surfaces where the replica record is practical to keep.

What changed in oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 from the previous edition?

oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 replaces ISO 8503-5:2017. The foreword states that this edition is technically and editorially revised, with a spring-loaded compression tool added in Clause 5.3 and a new averaging method added in Clause 7.

Which standards are used with oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026?

Standard	What it contributes
ISO 4618	Terms and definitions used by Clause 3
ISO 8503-1	Terms and definitions for surface roughness characteristics
ISO 8504-2:2019	The abrasive blast-cleaning procedures whose results this method measures
ISO 8501, ISO 8502, ISO 8503, ISO 8504	The wider family of standards for visual cleanliness, contamination testing, surface roughness, and surface preparation methods

What does the oSIST prEN ISO 8503-5:2026 document contain?

The document contains the principle of the replica tape method, the apparatus needed to perform it, and a step-by-step field procedure. It also gives calibration and maintenance notes for the gauge, a reporting checklist, and the rules for handling repeat measurements.

Annex A summarizes measurement error information for replica tape readings, and Annex B gives storage and service-life guidance for the tape. The bibliography points users to ISO 8504-2:2019, which covers abrasive blast-cleaning methods.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2026
Priprava jeklenih podlag pred nanašanjem barv in sorodnih premazov - Značilnosti
hrapavosti peskanih jeklenih podlag - 5. del: Metoda z odtisnim trakom za
določanje profila površine (ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026)
Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products -
Surface roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrates - Part 5: Replica tape
method for the determination of the surface profile (ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026)
Vorbereitung von Stahloberflächen vor dem Auftragen von Beschichtungsstoffen -
Rauheitskenngrößen von gestrahlten Stahloberflächen - Teil 5: Abdruckverfahren zum
Bestimmen der Rauheit (ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026)
Préparation des subjectiles d'acier avant application de peintures et de produits
assimilés - Caractéristiques de rugosité des subjectiles d'acier décapés - Partie 5:
Méthode de l'empreinte sur ruban adhésif pour la détermination du profil de surface
(ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 8503-5
ICS:
25.220.10 Priprava površine Surface preparation
87.020 Postopki za nanašanje Paint coating processes
barvnih premazov
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 8503-5
ISO/TC 35/SC 12
Preparation of steel substrates
Secretariat: BSI
before application of paints
Voting begins on:
and related products — Surface
2026-08-26
roughness characteristics of blast-
Voting terminates on:
cleaned steel substrates —
2026-11-18
Part 5:
Replica tape method for the
determination of the surface profile
Préparation des subjectiles d'acier avant application de peintures
et de produits assimilés — Caractéristiques de rugosité des
subjectiles d'acier décapés —
Partie 5: Méthode de l'empreinte sur ruban adhésif pour la
détermination du profil de surface
ICS: 25.220.10
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
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.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 8503-5
ISO/TC 35/SC 12
Preparation of steel substrates
Secretariat: BSI
before application of paints
Voting begins on:
and related products — Surface
roughness characteristics of blast-
Voting terminates on:
cleaned steel substrates —
Part 5:
Replica tape method for the
determination of the surface profile
Préparation des subjectiles d'acier avant application de peintures
et de produits assimilés — Caractéristiques de rugosité des
subjectiles d'acier décapés —
Partie 5: Méthode de l'empreinte sur ruban adhésif pour la
détermination du profil de surface
ICS: 25.220.10
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2026
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Phone: [phone]
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
ii
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Apparatus . 2
6 Maintenance and assurance of calibration for the replica tape method . 2
7 Procedure . 2
8 Specification of acceptable error . 3
9 Test report . 3
Annex A (informative) Measurement errors associated with replica tape determination of
profile height . 5
Annex B (informative) Service life and storage recommendations for replica tape . 6
Bibliography . 7

iii
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established 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. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent
rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of
patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents). ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any
or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment,
as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 35, Paints and varnishes, Subcommittee SC 12,
Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 8503-5:2017), which has been technically
and editorially revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— Clause 5.3 technically revised to include a spring-loaded compression tool
— Clause 7 technically revised to include a new method of averaging
A list of all parts in the ISO 8503 series can be found on the ISO website.

iv
ISO/DIS 8503-5:2026(en)
Introduction
The performance of protective coatings of paint and related products applied to steel is significantly
affected by the state of the steel surface immediately prior to painting. The principal factors that are known
to influence this performance are:
a) the presence of rust and mill scale;
b) the presence of surface contaminants, including salts, dust, oils and greases;
c) the surface profile.
ISO 8501 (all parts), ISO 8502 (all parts) and ISO 8503 (all parts) have been prepared to provide methods
of assessing these factors, while ISO 8504 (all parts) provides guidance on the preparation methods that
are available for cleaning steel substrates, indicating the capabilities of each in attaining specified levels of
cleanliness.
These International Standards do not contain recommendations for the protective coating systems to be
applied to the steel surface. Neither do they contain recommendations for the surface quality requirements
for specific situations, even though surface quality can have a direct influence on the choice of protective
coating to be applied and on its performance. Such recommendations are found in other documents, such as
national standards and codes of practice. It will be necessary for users of these International Standards to
ensure that the qualities specified are:
— compatible and appropriate both for the environmental conditions to which the steel will be exposed
and for the protective coating system to be used;
— within the capability of the cleaning procedure specified.
The International Standards referred to above deal with the following aspects of preparation of steel
substrates:
— ISO 8501 — Visual assessment of surface cleanliness;
— ISO 8502 — Tests for the assessment of surface cleanliness;
— ISO 8503 — Surface roughness characteristics of blast-cleaned steel substrate
...