What is ISO 17872 - Paints and varnishes about?
ISO 17872 is an international standard on paints and varnishes that covers guidelines for the introduction of scribe marks through coatings on metallic panels for corrosion testing.
ISO 17872 describes methods of scribing coated steel or test-pieces for corrosion tests, where the coating system is applied at dry film thicknesses of less than 500 μm. It is intended as a guideline only, being based on the results of a collaborative trial with no subsequent corrosion testing having been carried out to determine the suitability of the introduced scribe marks for such tests.
Note: ISO 17872 covers the scribing of metallic panels or test pieces (chemically treated or not) made from:
- Steel
- Galvanized steel
- Aluminium alloys
- Magnesium alloys
Note: ISO 17872 does not cover the scribing of electroplated metal or clad aluminium panels.
Who is ISO 17872 - Paints and varnishes for?
ISO 17872 on paints and varnishes is useful for: 
- Paints and varnishes manufacturers
- Contractors
Why should you use ISO 17872 - Paints and varnishes?
Many International Standards deal with corrosion testing, where scribe marks are introduced through a coating to a metallic substrate. However, the method of scribe-mark introduction (scribing pattern, tools, etc.) is not standardized across these standards.
The main purposes of an intentionally inflicted damage in a coating prior to corrosion testing are as follows:
- To simulate and to investigate how adhesion of a coating originating from artificial damage after exposure is ensured
- To obtain an accelerated response during a corrosion test, e.g. at quality control during production
- To investigate the general durability of a coating by observation of the rate of corrosion at damage spread after exposure
ISO 17872 provides a guideline that describes methods of scribing coated steel or test pieces for corrosion tests which can help you maintain quality control in your organization.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN ISO 17872:2019 supersedes BS EN ISO 17872:2007, which is withdrawn.
BS EN ISO 17872:2019 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN ISO 17872:2007. These are:
- Clause 2, "Normative references" and Clause 3, "Terms and definitions" have been added
- Figures of L-shaped and diagonal shaped scribes have been added
- A second variation of the cross-sectional shape of U-shape scribe mark has been added in Figure 2
- Pictures of the cross sections have been added to the corresponding cutting tools
- The original Annex B has been replaced by a new annex on examples of possible different results in one corrosion test when using different scribing tools
