ISO 27830:2017

Overview

ISO 27830:2017 specifies a standardized method for designating metallic and other inorganic coatings used in electroplating, autocatalytic and vapour-deposition processes. It sets out the technical requirements for how coatings are described on purchase orders, engineering drawings and product specifications so that purchasers, processors and inspectors share a consistent, unambiguous designation system. ISO 27830:2017 does not give detailed performance requirements for individual coatings (these are found in the cited International Standards) and it does not apply to thermally sprayed or porcelain-enamel coatings.

Key Topics

• Designation format: A structured identity made of a description + International Standard number, an individual-item module, and stage-by-stage codes separated by solidi (/) - double separators indicate omitted stages.
• Symbols and codes: Annex A provides standard symbols for basis materials (e.g., Fe, Zn, Al), coatings (e.g., Ni, Cr, ZnNi) and undercoats, enabling compact, machine- and human-readable designations.
• Thickness and units: Coating thickness is specified as a minimum local thickness in micrometres; the standard clarifies the measurement convention (e.g., local thickness is measured at any point touchable by a 20 mm diameter ball).
• Heat treatment codes: Heat‑treatment and de-embrittlement treatments are designated with SR, HR or HT with temperature and duration in parentheses and hours (example: SR(210)2).
• Information to be supplied: Clause 4 lists essential purchaser-supplied data (standard number, significant surface, basis material condition, tensile strength, any heat-treatment needs) plus optional additional details (appearance, sampling, packaging).
• Sampling & inspection: References sampling plans (ISO 4519 and ISO 2859) for lot verification and measurement protocols.
• Guidance annexes: Annex B gives designation examples; Annex C links coating thickness guidance to standardized service-condition severity numbers.

Applications

ISO 27830:2017 is used by:

• Purchasers and specifiers preparing contract documents and engineering drawings for coated parts.
• Electroplaters and processors receiving unambiguous instructions for coating type, thickness and post-treatments.
• Quality assurance and inspection teams verifying that coatings meet contractual designations.
• OEMs and manufacturing engineers in sectors requiring corrosion protection and surface finishes (automotive, aerospace, electronics, fasteners, industrial components).
• Standards writers and product certification bodies ensuring consistent cross-references to coating standards.

Keywords: ISO 27830, metallic coatings, inorganic coatings, designation format, coating thickness, electrodeposited coatings, autocatalytic coatings, vapour-deposited coatings, corrosion protection, sampling.

Related Standards

• ISO 1456, ISO 2081, ISO 4527 (examples of coating-specific standards referenced)
• ISO 9587 / ISO 9588 (pretreatment and post-coating heat treatments to reduce hydrogen embrittlement)
• ISO 2064 (thickness conventions)
• ISO 4519, ISO 2859 (sampling and inspection plans)

Use ISO 27830 to ensure clear, consistent coating specifications and reduce ambiguity between purchaser, processor and inspector.