1 This International Standard specifies a method of evaluating the condition of coated test specimens that have been exposed to corrosive environments for test purposes.
It is based on experience of the method with standard 10 cm x 15 cm test panels, exposed on racks at outdoor test sites in natural atmospheres.
Special precautions must be taken when rating similar panels exposed to accelerated corrosion tests. Any modifications needed to adapt the method to rating actual production parts are not considered in this International Standard.
2 This method is applicable only to protective coatings that are anodic to the substrate, for example zinc coatings on steel or tin coatings on copper, with or without conversion coatings. It is not intended for use with coatings cathodic to the substrate, for which a rating system is specified in ISO 4540.
NOTE — This specification relates to process control as applicable to specially prepared test panels. It is not intended for use in rating manufactured items as artefacts. This will be covered in a subsequent International Standard.