ISO 13803-2014 PDF

Full title and description

Paints and varnishes — Determination of haze on paint films at 20° (ISO 13803:2014). This International Standard specifies a test method and instrumentation concept for quantifying reflection haze on non-textured, opaque paint films using a 20° measurement geometry to give improved differentiation of high-gloss surfaces.

Abstract

ISO 13803:2014 defines a procedure to measure haze by simultaneous determination of specular reflection and adjacent scattered light using a reflectometric hazemeter with 20° incident geometry. The method is intended for plane, opaque substrates and complements 20° gloss measurements to better differentiate high‑gloss finishes and assess dispersion/appearance characteristics.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed at most recent ISO review).
• Publication date: October 2014 (Edition 2, 2014-10).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 87.040 — Paints and varnishes.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2014).
• Number of pages: 11 (ISO edition).

Scope

Specifies a test method for determining reflection haze on non-textured coatings applied to plane, opaque substrates using a 20° geometry. The standard covers instrument geometry and apertures, spectral filtering and calibration, reference standards, measurement procedure and the presentation of results so they correlate with visual perception of haze. It is intended for use where better discrimination between high-gloss surfaces is required.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle: simultaneous measurement of specular reflection and adjacent scattered light to calculate haze.
• Measurement geometry: incident beam axis at 20° to the surface normal; defined aperture and detector placement to avoid vignetting.
• Hazemeter design: light source, lensing, field stop and photoelectric receptors (main detector plus adjacent scatter detectors).
• Spectral filtering and calibration to approximate CIE photopic response and specified illuminant characteristics.
• Reference standards and calibration procedure (high-gloss standards and instrument adjustment).
• Test procedure: sample conditioning, measurement area, averaging and reporting conventions (units and logarithmic scaling where specified).
• Precision considerations: repeatability and reproducibility guidance for laboratory practice.

Typical use and users

Used by paint and varnish manufacturers, quality control and QA laboratories, automotive and industrial coatings formulators, instrument manufacturers (hazemeters/glossmeters) and specifiers who need objective assessment of surface clarity and appearance for high-gloss products. It is applied in production control, incoming inspection, product development and final appearance evaluation.

Related standards

Closely related to ISO 2813 (measurement of specular gloss at 20°) and other appearance/optical measurement standards used in coatings and surface-finish evaluation. ISO 13803:2014 replaces ISO 13803:2000 and is frequently published in identical national/adopted versions (for example EN/BSI adoptions).

Keywords

Haze, reflection haze, hazemeter, gloss, paints, varnishes, 20° geometry, surface appearance, optical scattering, calibration, reference standard.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 13803:2014 is an international test method that specifies how to measure reflection haze on paint and varnish films using a 20° measurement geometry to quantify light scattered near the specular reflection direction.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers instrument geometry and design requirements, spectral filtering and calibration, reference standards, sample preparation and measurement procedure, data handling and reporting so haze results correlate with visual perception of milky or foggy appearance on high‑gloss surfaces.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Paint and coating manufacturers, QC laboratories, automotive and industrial finish specifiers, and instrument makers who develop or use hazemeters/glossmeters for appearance control and product development.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 13803:2014 (Edition 2) replaced the 2000 edition; according to ISO it was published in October 2014 and has been maintained/confirmed in subsequent ISO reviews (current as of the last ISO confirmation).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the series of ISO test methods for paints and varnishes (ISO/TC 35 outputs) and is used alongside other optical and appearance standards such as ISO 2813 (gloss), ISO 7724 series (colour), and other coating test standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Haze, hazemeter, 20°, reflection haze, paints and varnishes, gloss correlation, surface clarity, optical scattering.