Overview
EN ISO 6370-2:2021 (ISO 6370-2:2020) specifies a standardized laboratory method to determine the abrasion resistance of vitreous and porcelain enamel coatings by measuring loss in mass after sub-surface abrasion. The procedure exposes enamelled test specimens and reference float-glass plates to a controlled abrasive charge (abrasive grains, stainless steel balls and water) in an oscillating abrasion apparatus and quantifies wear as the relative mass loss.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Test method for abrasion by rubbing, grinding or other mechanical effects on vitreous and porcelain enamels.
- Test arrangement: Simultaneous testing of sets of three enamelled specimens and three reference glass plates (float glass, 100 × 100 × 3 mm).
- Abrasive media: Option of milled sanidine (potassium feldspar, P100) for representative, moderate abrasion or fused aluminium oxide (P80) for higher abrasion. Grain size per ISO 6344-2.
- Steel balls: Hardened stainless-steel balls (bearing quality) of 2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm diameters are used; specific mass/loadings are defined in the standard.
- Timing: Three test periods of 30 minutes each; for coatings thicker than 0.2 mm, wear is proportional to time so intermediate weighing can be adjusted.
- Pre-test preparation: Cleaning with distilled water and ethanol (96–98%), drying in an oven at 120 °C ± 5 °C for 2 h, desiccation and weighing to 0.2 mg accuracy.
- Results and uncertainty: Relative wear (w) is calculated from mean mass losses of specimens and reference plates; comparative method uncertainty reported at approximately ±5%.
- Apparatus/requirements referenced: Abrasion testing apparatus per ISO 6370-1, specimen production per ISO 28764.
Applications and who uses it
- Quality control laboratories verifying enamel durability and production consistency.
- Coating and enamel manufacturers for product development, benchmarking and specification compliance.
- Materials engineers and product designers selecting enamel systems for wear-prone applications (sanitaryware, cookware, appliances, industrial components).
- Testing laboratories and certification bodies issuing comparative performance data for procurement and specification.
- Useful for comparative classification of enamels rather than establishing absolute wear in service, due to variability of real-world abrasives.
Related standards
- ISO 6370-1 - Abrasion testing apparatus
- ISO 28764 - Specimen production for enamels on sheet metals and cast iron
- ISO 6344-2 - Grain size analysis for abrasives
- ISO 3696, ISO 648 - Test reagents and laboratory equipment specifications
Keywords: EN ISO 6370-2:2021, vitreous and porcelain enamels, abrasion resistance test, loss in mass, sub-surface abrasion, enamel durability, abrasion testing method.