Archive for January, 2022

This corrosion performance standard remains popular at AWL particularly for benchmarking a performance standard for a paint or other coating system where no previous data exists. There are 2 test regimes used to reach a performance standard. Test regime 1 requires water condensation AND neutral salt spray testing. Test regime 2 requires cyclic ageing in accordance with the old ISO 20340, now ISO 12944-9.

Test regime 2 should be chosen if UV weathering and low temperature durability is required for resistance to colour-shift, chalking, cracking, flaking or any other surface effects. It should be noted that chalking caused by UV degradation can significantly reduce the corrosion protection performance of any barrier coating.

Please also be reminded there are essentially 3 parts to establishing an ISO 12944-6 corrosion performance standard. These are:

1. Pre-exposure adhesion tests (test method depends on total dry film thickness)
2. The exposure cycles (regimes 1 or 2)
3. Post-exposure adhesion tests.

There may also be a requirement for a Cathodic Dis-bondment test in accordance with ISO 15711 if coating protection is cathodic rather than just barrier. In the 2018 version of the standard this is a recommendation only. AWL can offer CD testing if required.

All results must be satisfactory according to the requirements of the standard before a certificate of conformance can be issued. For more information please contact us

The short answer is yes but only if they have provided satisfactory test results according to all clauses of BSAU145e:2018 before they reach the UK market place.

The financial investment required for conformance to this standard is significant (+£14K) and the time-frames for compliance are long (+4 months).

We are hearing of lots of suppliers of this type of plate suggesting their product is indeed compliant to this standard so legal to sell in the UK. If they are compliant, they certainly didn’t come through us!!

We have not tested, or provided traceable C of Cs for any 4D plate construction since the standard became a legal requirement for plates sold in the UK!!

A few questions to suppliers / manufacturers of 4D construction number plates selling within the UK:

Do your customers have access to the test reports and a certificate of conformance? Was the certificate provided by a UKAS accredited laboratory?

So in summary, if the preferred testing laboratory according to the BNMA are not testing and providing evidence for BSAU145e:2018 conformance of 4D plates then……Who is?

.