Introduction
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The procedures used to develop this document as well as those used for further maintenance are described in ISO/IEC Directive Part 1. In particular, attention should be paid to the different approval criteria required for different types of ISO files. This document has been drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of ISO/IEC Directive Part 2 (see iso.org/directives).

ISO 15184-2020 “Paint and varnish pencil method for determination of paint film hardness”

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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 35, Paints and varnishes, Subcommittee SC 9, General Test Methods for paints and varnishes.

ISO 15184-2020 “Paint and varnish pencil method for determination of paint film hardness”

The third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 15184:2012), which was a minor revision. The main changes from the previous version are as follows:

— In 5.1, the force of the instrument on the painted surface has been corrected to (7,35 ± 0,15) N;

– In 8.6, according to the protocol, the minimum pencil hardness that can also be tested to determine that cohesion does not break (so-called “overcut” hardness) has been removed so as not to confuse with those standards that describe the test method;

-The text has been edited and revised and the normative references updated.

Any feedback or questions regarding this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A full list of these agencies can be found at iso.org/members.html.

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ISO 15184-2020 “Paint and varnish pencil method for determination of paint film hardness”

1 Range
This document specifies a method for determining the hardness of a film by pushing a pencil of known hardness onto it.

The test can be performed on a single coating of paint, varnish or related products, or on the upper layer of a multi-coating system.

It has not been found that this rapid test can be used to compare the pencil hardness of different coatings. It is more suitable for providing relative ratings for a range of coated panels that exhibit significant differences in pencil hardness.

This method is only applicable to smooth surfaces.

ISO 15184-2020 “Paint and varnish pencil method for determination of paint film hardness”

2 Normative references
The following documents are referenced in the text in such a way that part or all of their content constitutes the requirements of this document. For dated references, the citation-only version applies. For undated references, the new version of the reference, including any revisions, applies.

ISO 1513, Paints and varnishes – Examination and preparation of test samples

ISO 1514, Paints and varnishes — Test standard panel

ISO 2808, Paints and varnishs-determination of film thickness

ISO 4618, Paints and varnishes – Terms and definitions

ISO 15528, Paints, varnishes and raw materials for paints and varnishes – sampling

ISO 15184-2020 “Paint and varnish pencil method for determination of paint film hardness”

3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 4618 and the following articles apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for standardization at:

– ISO Online browsing platform: available at iso.org/obp

– IEC Electronic Encyclopedia: available at electropedia.org/

3.1 Pencil hardness
The resistance of the paint film surface to the mark or the formation of some other defect due to the action of the pencil, with the specified size, shape and hardness of the lead, which is pushed over the surface

ISO 15184-2020 “Paint and varnish pencil method for determination of paint film hardness”

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