ISO 12137-2011 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 12137-2011 — Paints and varnishes — Determination of mar resistance. This International Standard specifies a laboratory method, using a curved (loop-shaped or ring-shaped) stylus, for determining the mar (surface damage) resistance of a single coating or the upper layer of a multicoat system.

Abstract

ISO 12137:2011 defines a test procedure using a curved stylus to produce and evaluate mar damage on coated panels. The method is intended to provide relative ratings that allow comparison between coatings and to assess resistance to soft-surface deformation and surface defects caused by rubbing or light abrasion. It does not cover methods using a pointed stylus (covered elsewhere, e.g. ISO 1528 series).

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in periodic review).
• Publication date: October 2011 (ISO edition 1, 2011).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 87.040 — Paints and varnishes.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2011).
• Number of pages: 7 pages.

Scope

The standard specifies a laboratory test for determining mar resistance of a single coating or the top layer of a multilayer coating using a curved stylus (loop or ring). The procedure covers specimen preparation, test apparatus, test conditions, test execution and evaluation/interpretation of results for comparative assessment of mar resistance; it explicitly excludes pointed-stylus methods (these are described in other ISO documents).

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and purpose of mar-resistance testing for paints and varnishes.
• Required test apparatus: curved (loop-shaped or ring-shaped) stylus and loading arrangement.
• Specimen preparation, mounting and environmental/test condition guidance.
• Test procedure: motion, loading, number of passes and pattern to produce mar damage.
• Assessment and reporting: qualitative/quantitative evaluation for comparative ranking of coatings.
• Limitation: not applicable to pointed-stylus scratch tests (see ISO 1528‑1 / ISO 1528‑2).

Typical use and users

Used by paint and varnish manufacturers, independent test laboratories, quality-control and R&D teams, coating specifiers and procurement engineers to compare products, validate formulations, verify production quality and support performance claims related to surface durability and appearance retention.

Related standards

Closely related to the ISO 1528 series (pointed-stylus scratch-resistance methods) and other coatings evaluation standards that address abrasion, adhesion and surface degradation. Earlier national/technical variants and withdrawn parts (for example ISO 12137-1:1997) were superseded by this consolidated ISO 12137:2011 edition.

Keywords

mar resistance, scratch resistance, coatings testing, paints and varnishes, curved stylus, loop stylus, ring stylus, surface damage, ISO 12137

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 12137:2011 is an International Standard that specifies a laboratory method using a curved stylus to determine the mar resistance of paints and varnishes.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the test apparatus, specimen preparation, test procedure and evaluation criteria for producing and assessing mar damage with a loop- or ring-shaped stylus on single coatings or the top layer of multilayer systems.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, R&D and QC laboratories, certification bodies and coating specifiers use it to compare coating formulations and check production quality for surface durability.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 12137:2011 is the current edition published in 2011; the ISO record shows it was reviewed/confirmed during normal review cycles (the published edition remains valid until formally revised or withdrawn).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is related to other ISO methods for scratch/surface-resistance testing—most notably the ISO 1528 series for pointed-stylus tests—and replaces earlier part-based versions such as ISO 12137-1:1997.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: mar resistance, scratch test, curved stylus, paints, varnishes, surface durability, ISO 12137.