Overview
ISO 2080:2022 - "Metallic and other inorganic coatings - Surface treatment, metallic and other inorganic coatings - Vocabulary" is the fourth edition (2022) of an international vocabulary standard for the metal‑finishing field. It defines and harmonizes terms used for general surface‑finishing processes and related industry concepts. The standard emphasizes practical usage in electroplating and related surface‑finishing technology while excluding specialized vocabularies for porcelain/vitreous enamel, thermally sprayed coatings, and galvanizing.
Key topics and technical scope
ISO 2080:2022 standardizes terminology rather than prescribes process methods. Key topics and the types of terms defined include:
- General surface‑finishing process names: chemical plating (electroless/autocatalytic), electroplating, chemical vapour deposition (CVD), physical vapour deposition (PVD), thermal spraying, metallizing, metal cladding, hot‑dip metal coating, sherardizing, zinc‑flake coating, conversion coatings.
- Process categories and treatments: diffusion treatment, conversion treatment, anodic oxidation (anodizing), barrier layers, top coats and base coats.
- Operational and industry terms: activation, additives (addition agents), adhesion, anode/anolyte concepts, auxiliary anodes/cathodes, barrel electroplating, acceleration, anti‑pitting agents, hydrogen embrittlement relief treating.
- Vocabulary organization: includes general process definitions (Clause 3.1) and industry usage terms (Clause 3.2). Basic chemistry/physics terms and corrosion‑specific definitions (e.g., ISO 8044) are intentionally excluded.
Notable editorial points from the 2022 edition:
- New terms introduced, previous entries rationalized and some deleted, reflecting modern practice and clearer groupings of related terms.
Practical applications and who uses it
ISO 2080:2022 is a reference tool to ensure consistent language across the metal‑finishing value chain. Typical users:
- Engineers and process technologists writing or interpreting plating and coating specifications.
- Quality managers and laboratories preparing test reports and inspection records.
- Procurement and contract writers specifying coatings for components and assemblies.
- Standards writers, technical translators and educators needing authoritative, internationally agreed definitions.
- Manufacturers and OEMs aligning terminology across design, production and supplier documentation.
Benefits include reduced ambiguity in specifications, improved communication in international trade, consistent reporting in quality systems, and clearer training materials for surface‑finishing operations.
Related standards and resources
- ISO 8044 - basic terms relating to corrosion (referenced as excluded from ISO 2080).
- ISO Online Browsing Platform and IEC Electropedia - centralized terminology databases for standards users.
Keywords: ISO 2080:2022, metallic coatings vocabulary, surface treatment terminology, electroplating terminology, conversion coating definitions, anodizing vocabulary, PVD CVD terms, zinc flake coating, surface‑finishing processes.