🔩 Determination of the resistance of coatings, coating systems and related products to condensation with single-sided exposure — heated water bath covered by specimens inclined at (60 ± 5)°, air temperature 25 mm below the specimens (38 ± 2) °C (49 °C and 60 °C also recommended), assessment of blistering, discoloration, softening, wrinkling, embrittlement and substrate condition according to agreed criteria, PN-EN ISO 6270-1

Materials and NDT PN-EN ISO 6270-1

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. The PKN catalogue card of PN-EN ISO 6270-1:2018-02 (Polish version) gives the scope: “This document specifies a method for determining the resistance of coatings, coating systems and related products to condensation conditions in accordance with the requirements given in the specifications for coatings or products. The method can be used for coatings on porous substrates such as wood, plaster and plasterboard, as well as on non-porous substrates such as metal. It provides an indication of the behaviour of the coating under severe exposure conditions when continuous condensation occurs on the coating surface. The test can reveal coating defects (including blistering, discoloration, softening, wrinkling and embrittlement) and deterioration of the substrate. NOTE This document does not cover the shape and preparation of test specimens, the test duration or the evaluation of the test results” (our translation from the Polish text of the card). We read the text in the sample of ISO 6270-1:2017 (second edition) to the end of 6.3 (page 3, installation of the apparatus); we do not have Clauses 7 (specimens), 8 (procedure), 9 (evaluation), 10 (precision) or 11 (test report) — we know only their titles from the table of contents.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF ISO 6270-1:2017 (foreword, introduction, Clauses 1–6.3). The standard was prepared by ISO/TC 35/SC 9; the second edition replaces ISO 6270-1:1998 after technical revision. Changes according to the foreword: title changed; definitions added; a clause on limitations (conditions other than those of the standard) added; preparation of specimens from liquid paints deleted — only exposure of coated specimens is described; the normative requirement for evaluation according to ISO 4628 deleted (information moved to the introduction, as in ISO 6270-2); specimen size changed; requirement for grade 3 water according to ISO 3696 deleted; a clause on installation of the apparatus added; precision clarified; references updated; additional information from former Clause 4 and Annex A incorporated into the test report or deleted. Introduction: the standard gives uniform conditions for conditioning prepared specimens assessed for defects in humid atmospheres (constant or alternating water condensation); it explains the behaviour of the coating and indicates defects of corrosion protection, but does not predict durability; evaluation follows agreed documents, e.g. relevant parts of ISO 4628, or procedures agreed between the parties. Scope (1): as on the PKN card; note: shape and preparation of specimens, test duration and evaluation of results are not covered. References (2): ISO 3270, ISO 4618; terms (3) from ISO 4618. Limitations (4): temperature and humidity are important; with deviations the results are not comparable; the parties may agree other parameters, which are stated in the report. Principle (5): the coated specimen is exposed to continuous condensation; the effects are assessed according to previously agreed criteria, usually subjective. Apparatus (6.1): of chemically resistant material; essentially an electrically heated water bath whose cover is formed by the specimens (or inert blank specimens if there are too few specimens) — the outer side is in the room, gaps are minimal, and condensation occurs on the inner side (single-sided exposure); the specimens are inclined at a recommended angle of (60 ± 5)° to the horizontal to let condensate drain, so that water from one specimen does not drain onto another; the angle always between 15° and 75°; note: in the change from ISO 6270:1980 to ISO 6270-1:1998 the angle was changed from (15 ± 5)° to (60 ± 5)°, and the temperature is maintained in the air below the specimens at (38 ± 2) °C rather than in the water — according to the text the results do not differ substantially. Conditions (6.2): sides of the bath insulated; air temperature approximately 25 mm below the specimens uniformly (38 ± 2) °C unless otherwise specified; (49 ± 2) °C and (60 ± 2) °C are recommended if 38 °C is too low; constant water level — automatic control or regular topping up; tap water may cause scale deposits — according to the manufacturer’s instructions; Figure 1 shows an example of the cabinet (housing, heater, drying air channel, condensation on the specimen, moisture diffusion, convection). Installation (6.3): room free of corrosive constituents (not a chemical laboratory), (23 ± 5) °C, relative humidity at most 75 %, protected from draughts and sunlight; for comparative tests (23 ± 2) °C according to ISO 3270 — here the sample ends.

STATUS (PKN catalogue cards as of 02.10.2026). The card of PN-EN ISO 6270-1:2018-02 (Polish version, published 15-11-2019, 14 pages, price group G) has no “Withdrawn” heading: Chemical Sector, KT 175 Paints and Varnishes, ICS 87.040, “Introduces: EN ISO 6270-1:2018 [IDT], ISO 6270-1:2017 [IDT]”, “Replaces: PN-EN ISO 6270-1:2002 – Polish version”. The card of PN-EN ISO 6270-1:2002 (Polish version, title “… Part 1: Continuous condensation”) has the “Withdrawn” heading: withdrawal date 22-02-2018, “Replaced by: PN-EN ISO 6270-1:2018-02 – English version, PN-EN ISO 6270-1:2018-02 – Polish version”; it introduced EN ISO 6270-1:2001 and ISO 6270-1:1998. EVS card ISO 6270-1:2017: “Valid from 05.12.2017”.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data up to 17.09.2026, read 02.10.2026). The number 6270-1 appears in 8 records at 6 laboratories: AB 023, AB 041, AB 128, AB 163, AB 240, AB 1424. In the current scopes on the PCA website (read 02.10.2026, issues from 16.07.2025 to 01.07.2026) the edition with year “PN-EN ISO 6270-1:2018-02” is given by AB 163, AB 240 and AB 1424; the number alone without year — by AB 023, AB 041 and AB 128. In none of these scopes are the lines with this number marked as suspended. The “Laboratories” tab (“PN-EN ISO 6270-1”) shows 6 laboratories — checked with the tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 02.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (PCA entries). AB 023 — coating products for the protection of metal elements: resistance to humidity (continuous condensation). AB 041 — diaphragm gas meters (resistance to external and internal corrosion using humidity, resistance to environment and humidity) and coatings, coating systems and corrosion-resistant and non-resistant materials (resistance to humidity, continuous condensation). AB 128 — organic and inorganic coatings, metal products, plastic products, textiles, foams, rubber: resistance to humidity. AB 163 — coatings: resistance to humidity. AB 240 — organic coatings from paint products and plastics: resistance to an atmosphere saturated with water vapour. AB 1424 — paint systems on metal substrates: resistance to continuous condensation.

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Temperature: (38 ± 2) °C is measured in the air approximately 25 mm below the specimens, not in the water (6.2.1); other temperatures (49 °C, 60 °C) and other agreed parameters have to be stated in the report, and with deviations the results are not comparable (4). Angle: recommended (60 ± 5)°, always between 15° and 75°, and water from one specimen shall not drain onto another (6.1.2). Cover: missing positions are covered with inert blank specimens, gaps shall be minimal (6.1). Surroundings of the apparatus: (23 ± 5) °C and at most 75 % humidity, without draughts and sunlight, not in a chemical laboratory (6.3). Evaluation: the criteria are agreed in advance and usually subjective; the standard does not specify the test duration or evaluation — they have to be taken from the product specification or the agreement of the parties (1, 5). Edition: three laboratories give the number without year, and the 2017 edition changed, among other things, the specimen size and removed the normative evaluation according to ISO 4628.

WHAT WE DO NOT STATE. We do not have Clauses 7–11: specimen dimensions, the course of the test, the method of evaluation, precision data or report requirements — so we do not state these numbers. The standard does not specify the test duration or evaluation criteria (note in Clause 1) — we do not give them as typical values either.

Method principle

The coated specimens form the cover of a heated water bath: the outer side remains in the room air, and on the coated side facing the interior, above the water, with an air temperature of (38 ± 2) °C, continuous condensation occurs (single-sided exposure); specimens inclined at (60 ± 5)° allow the condensate to drain, and after the test coating damage and substrate condition are assessed according to previously agreed criteria.

Applications

• Coatings and coating systems on metal, wood, plaster and plasterboard — resistance to condensation; 6 laboratories in PCA scopes
• Coating products for the protection of metal elements and paint systems — checking compliance with coating or product specifications
• Finished products, e.g. diaphragm gas meters (AB 041) — resistance to corrosion and humidity

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN ISO 6270-1:2018-02 (wersja polska; EN ISO 6270-1:2018 i ISO 6270-1:2017 IDT)

Title (PL)

Farby i lakiery — Oznaczanie odporności na wilgoć — Część 1: Kondensacja (jednostronna ekspozycja)

Title (EN)

Paints and varnishes — Determination of resistance to humidity — Part 1: Condensation (single-sided exposure)

Step-by-step procedure

1. Installation of the apparatus

   Room free of corrosive constituents, (23 ± 5) °C, humidity ≤ 75 %, without draughts and sunlight (6.3). PN-EN ISO 6270-1:2018-02 current (PKN cards as of 02.10.2026).

2. Specimens

   Coated specimens according to Clause 7 and the product specification — outside the part we read; cover missing positions of the lid with blank specimens (6.1.3).

3. Exposure

   Specimens as the cover of the bath, coating facing inwards, at an angle of (60 ± 5)°; air below the specimens (38 ± 2) °C; constant water level (6.1, 6.2).

4. Duration

   Test duration according to the specification or agreement of the parties — the standard does not specify it (1); procedure according to Clause 8 — outside the part we read.

5. Evaluation and report

   Blistering, discoloration, softening, wrinkling, embrittlement, substrate condition — according to agreed criteria, e.g. ISO 4628 (introduction, 5); deviations from the conditions in the report (4).

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• In the part we read (Clauses 1–6.3) the standard gives no safety requirements

Frequently asked questions