BS EN 12373-1-2001 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN 12373-1:2001 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys. Anodizing. Part 1: Method for specifying decorative and protective anodic oxidation coatings on aluminium. This national adoption of EN 12373-1:2001 provides a method and checklist for purchasers and specifiers to describe anodic oxidation (anodizing) coatings on aluminium, covering principal characteristics, classes and options for decorative and protective oxide layers formed electrolytically.

Abstract

This Part 1 of EN 12373 sets out how to specify anodic oxide coatings (largely aluminium oxide) produced by electrolytic oxidation with aluminium as the anode. It describes properties and parameters to be specified (for example coating thickness, appearance, colour control, sealing and corrosion performance), and notes types of anodic coatings and processes that are outside its scope. The document is intended primarily as a purchaser/specifier checklist rather than as a process-control or test method standard.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / inactive in several national catalogues (replaced by later EN ISO standard).
• Publication date: 2001 (commonly listed publication/adoption dates include 15 July 2001 for the BSI adoption).
• Publisher: Adopted nationally by standards bodies (original text published as EN 12373-1:2001; national publications include BSI and other CEN members).
• ICS / categories: 25.220.20 (Surface treatment); 77.120.10 (Aluminium and aluminium alloys).
• Edition / version: EN 12373-1:2001 — adopted as BS EN 12373-1:2001 (Part 1 of the EN 12373 series).
• Number of pages: Typically listed in national catalogs as about 27–31 pages (BS listing commonly shows 30 pages; other national listings show slight variation).

Scope

This standard describes a method for specifying decorative and protective anodic oxidation coatings on aluminium formed by electrolytic oxidation (anodizing). It applies to the specification of primarily aluminium-oxide coatings and provides a framework for selecting relevant properties and options when ordering or specifying anodized aluminium products. It does not apply to non‑porous barrier-type oxide coatings, coatings produced by chromic or phosphoric acid anodizing, oxide coatings intended solely as pre-treatments for organic coatings or electrodeposition, nor does it cover hard anodic coatings where wear/abrasion resistance is the primary requirement (see references to ISO 10074 and successor standards).

Key topics and requirements

• Framework for specifying anodic oxidation coatings: designation of coating class, functional requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Typical parameters to specify: nominal coating thickness, visual appearance and colour control, corrosion resistance class, sealing method, porosity considerations and mechanical tolerances.
• Checklist approach for purchasers: options and optional tests to include in procurement documents.
• Explicit exclusions and limitations: barrier (non‑porous) oxide types, chromic/phosphoric processes, coatings intended only as pretreatment, and hard anodized engineering coatings.
• Cross-references to test methods and related parts of the EN 12373 series where appropriate.

Typical use and users

Used by procurement officers, specifiers, architects, aluminium fabricators, anodizing processors, quality engineers and corrosion specialists who need a consistent way to describe anodized finishes in contracts and product specifications. The document is especially useful where aesthetic appearance and medium-term corrosion protection are required and where purchasers want to list specific performance or appearance criteria.

Related standards

EN 12373-1:2001 is part of the EN 12373 series on anodizing and surface treatments. It has been withdrawn in many catalogues and replaced by later harmonized standards, notably EN ISO 7599 (Anodizing of aluminium and its alloys — General specifications/requirements) and other ISO/EN documents dealing with anodic coatings, test methods and hard anodizing (e.g., ISO 10074 for hard anodic coatings). National adoptions and superseding references vary by country.

Keywords

anodizing; anodic oxidation; aluminium oxide coating; decorative coating; protective coating; specification; sealing; coating thickness; corrosion resistance; EN 12373; EN ISO 7599.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is the Part 1 (method for specifying) text of EN 12373 published in 2001 and adopted by national bodies (e.g., BS EN 12373-1:2001). It provides a method and checklist for specifying decorative and protective anodic oxidation coatings on aluminium.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers how to specify anodic oxide coatings (mainly aluminium oxide) produced by electrolytic oxidation — the properties and options that should be stated by purchasers or specifiers (thickness, appearance, sealing, corrosion class, etc.). It explicitly excludes barrier-type non-porous oxides, chromic or phosphoric acid anodizing processes, coatings used only as pretreatment for other coatings and hard anodic coatings whose main purpose is wear resistance.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Purchasers, specifiers, architects, anodizing plants, aluminium product manufacturers, quality and corrosion engineers — anyone who needs to describe anodized finishes in procurement or design documents.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: In many national catalogs the 2001 text has been withdrawn and superseded by later harmonized ISO/EN documents (notably EN ISO 7599 and related standards). Check the relevant national standards body for the current normative reference in your country.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 12373 is a multi-part series covering anodizing-related specification topics; Part 1 is the method for specifying decorative/protective coatings. Other parts and related EN/ISO standards cover test methods and additional requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Anodizing; anodic oxidation; aluminium oxide; decorative coating; protective coating; specification; sealing; thickness; corrosion resistance; EN ISO 7599.