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In contrast to accelerated weathering with xenon arc lamps, UV fluorescent lamps (UVA-340, UVB-313) are used as a light source. These lead to an even greater acceleration of decomposition processes of organic compounds. A heated water reservoir simulates formation of dew by condensation of water on the sample surface. After exposure to UV light and water condensate in cyclic alternation, the colour and gloss stability of organic and metallic surfaces as well as textiles are tested.

The accelerated weathering tests are among the artificial forms of weathering. The destruction of the surface of plastics or coatings by filtered xenon arc irradiation together with cyclic deionized water spray is tested. This method, also known as "Sun Test", is used to determine weathering resistance of coating materials for exterior and (with the corresponding filters) interior usage.

It is tested according to e.g. VW PV 3929, VW PV 3930, SAE J2527, BMW AA-0235, ISO 2135, ISO 105-B02 and ISO 105-B06.

In the cross cut test (layer thicknesses ≤ 250 μm), a single- or multi-bladed knife is used to cut through the coating down to the substrate at specified spacings and the paint adhesion is evaluated over the proportion of the detached surface inside the incision grid. 

For layer thicknesses above 250 μm, an incision similar to a St. Andrew's cross with an opening angle between 30° and 45° is cut down to the substrate with a singlebladed knife and the damage from the intersection is evaluated on the basis of comparative images from the standard.

The admittance measurement is used to facilitate a quick statement about the quality of sealed anodisation layers. The conductivity between an electrolyte measuring cell on the anodised layer and the base material (aluminum) is measured when alternating current is applied.

By adding sulphur dioxide to the alternating condensation climate test, an industrial atmosphere or acid rain can be simulated. This produces sulphurous acid on the sample surface and triggers corrosion reactions.

With the impact test, the physical resistance and ductility of a coating can be tested in the event of sudden deformation. A standardised body is dropped onto the sample from a variable height in order to examine the deformed area for cracking or layer detachment after the impact.

Der Cathodic Disbondment Test bewertet die Korrosionsbeständigkeit von Beschichtungen in aggressiven Umgebungen, indem er realistische Korrosionsbedingungen simuliert. Dies hilft, die Effektivität von Beschichtungen zu beurteilen und Korrosionsschäden zu verhindern, um Schutzsysteme intakt zu halten.

We certify metal construction companies in accordance with DIN EN 1090. Our inspectors check the factory production control systems of metalworking businesses both nationally and internationally. 

European standard DIN EN 1090 defines the requirements for assessing the conformity of steel and aluminium load-bearing components and kits that are being brought onto the market as construction products. The conformity assessment covers manufacturing characteristics and, if required, load-bearing characteristics.

The IFO certification body provides impartial and independent monitoring services for coating companies working with liquid painting processes. Certification is carried out in annual inspections in accordance with DIN EN ISO 12944. DIN EN ISO 12944 Parts 1–9 deal with the corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems. The different parts consider all the essential aspects that have a role to play in providing appropriate corrosion protection. 

To ensure that construction products are properly galvanised when they are manufactured, we certify companies in accordance with ISO 1461. This standard specifies the general properties of coatings and test methods for coatings applied by dipping fabricated iron and steel articles (including certain castings) in a zinc melt.

In our capacity as a general building testing and inspection centre, we carry out certifications in accordance with DASt Guideline 022. Our inspectors check more than 200 galvanisation businesses both nationally and internationally, conferring a certificate of conformity that comes together with the Ü-mark.

The IFO certification body provides impartial and independent monitoring services for powder coating companies. DIN 55633 describes the corrosion protection of steel structures by powder coating systems. It covers powder coating materials and systems for different environmental conditions, surface preparation and pre-treatment, expected period of protection, laboratory tests to assess systems and the execution and monitoring of coating work.

If facades need to be cleaned, we can provide experts familiar with the appropriate types of cleaning work. One of our particular areas of expertise is drafting specifications that reflect the state of the art and contain concrete requirements and agreements, as is also taking detailed site measurements of the facade area. Any shadow gaps, glass surfaces and areas covered by Venetian blinds that require cleaning are recorded separately, so the actual costs involved can be calculated as precisely as possible. The Institute can also lend a hand when it comes to awarding contracts for and monitoring any cleaning work. Acting on behalf of the Gütegemeinschaft Reinigung von Fassaden e.V. (GRM, the Quality Association for Facade Cleaning, see www.grm-online.de), we independently monitor the work carried out by facade cleaning companies that hold the GRM quality mark.

Benefit from our experience by taking a systematic approach to development projects. Chemists, material scientists and surface engineers all work on your assignment together. If the idea behind the project is an innovative one, we can look into public funding opportunities; we are familiar with applying for ZIM funding – the German government's central innovation programme for small and medium-sized enterprises. We are particularly experienced in taking on science-focussed research and development work in conjunction with an SME partner. We are masters at communicating and transferring knowledge purposefully between the trades and the sciences.

In the CIELAB colour space, each perceptible colour is defined in a three-dimensional coordinate system. For the measurement, both the illumination (light type and angle) and the measurement geometry are decisive. With the 45°/0° geometry, a circular directional illumination at a 45° angle and a view perpendicular to the same plane (0°) is realised. This takes the influence of the surface structure into account. In the case of the d/8° geometry, the surface is measured at an 8° angle to the vertical under diffuse illumination. By standard, samples are illuminated with D65 daylight beneath 10° normal observers.

With condensation climate testing, a test specimen is continuously exposed to either one-sided (ISO 6270-1) or all-encompassing (ISO 6270-2 CH) water condensation load. In addition, depending on the requirements, cycles with alternating exposure (ISO 6270-2 AHT / AT) can be realized.

We can help you to protect your metal components from corrosion. More than 800 companies all over the world value our wide-ranging expertise; for example, we can recommend the right coating system for your particular area of application, draft text templates for invitations to tender or qualify coatings that have already been applied. 

Where new construction projects are concerned, the individual parties agree to a whole host of technical corrosion protection requirements as well as visual and aesthetic demands. An inspection and monitoring programme is often defined in this context too. Our inspectors are experts in all areas of organic coating and galvanisation. They check the quality of the coating both on the coating company premises and at the building site itself in accordance with the agreed guidelines and tenders.

With salt spray testing, the corrosion behavior of metallic or non-metallic layers can be determined in an accelerated manner. Either neutral (NSS) or acidic (AASS, containing acetic acid) corrosion-promoting atmospheres are created in a chamber with sprayed 5% sodium chloride solution. The corrosiveness of the spray medium can be enhanced even further by adding copper chloride (CASS) to the salt spray.

The cupping test is used to test the resistance of a coating to cracking or detachment from a metallic substrate that is gradually deformed by deepening. A hemispherical die is pressed against the test plate until a crack forms, the coating detaches from the metallic substrate, or the required cupping depth has been achieved.

Certification of products and their quality in accordance with impartial and independent standards or custom-developed certification programmes.

Cyclic corrosion testing (CCT) was developed to reconstruct corrosion damage close to occurences in the field under accelerated laboratory conditions and is mainly used in the automotive industry. The test covers various temperature and humidity conditions in combination with corrosive atmospheres (salt spray).

Commonly, it is tested according to VDA 621-415 or DIN EN ISO 11997-1 - Cycle B, DIN EN ISO 60068-2-52, VW PV 1209 and VW PV 1210.

The Pressure water-jetting test is a type of adhesion test for coatings. For this purpose, the sample are scribed and then exposed to a high-pressure water jet with defined parameters. Either the maximum detachment of the coating from the scribe (VW TL 52451) or a characteristic value of the damage, determined with comparative images (DIN EN ISO 16925) are presented.

Typical test parameters are defined in the standards VW PV 1503, MBN 10494-5, BMW AA-0136 and TSA 900046.

The dye spot test determines the quality of the sealing of anodisation layers. The anodised layer is first exposed to an acid treatment and then treated with a dye solution. The degree of (irreversible) staining is assessed by a characteristic value and serves to classify the sealing quality.

The dye spot test determines the quality of the sealing of anodisation layers. The anodised layer is first exposed to an acid treatment and then treated with a dye solution. The degree of (irreversible) staining is assessed by a characteristic value and serves to classify the sealing quality.

Die DIN 17611, entwickelt vom Deutschen Institut für Normung (DIN), ist ein wichtiger Leitfaden für Eloxierbetriebe, um die Qualität von eloxiertem Aluminium, das in verschiedenen Branchen wie Architektur, Bauindustrie und Luftfahrt eingesetzt wird, sicherzustellen. Sie legt Prozesse für die Herstellung von eloxierten Aluminiumteilen fest und definiert Anforderungen an Schichtdicke und Qualität der Verdichtung, um sicherzustellen, dass die Eloxalprodukte den Kundenanforderungen entsprechen.

By having our experts assess and determine the condition of an existing facade, you can decide whether professional yet economical cleaning will suffice or whether you need to renovate. Our recommendations therefore often help to save considerably on costs and achieve the best possible result. 

We provide expert opinions for local, regional and higher regional courts throughout Germany. We have access to sworn, publicly appointed experts in the following specialist fields:

• Materials science
• Electrochemistry
• Corrosion protection coatings for metals
• Corrosion protection coatings for plastics
• Corrosion protection coatings for fibre composite materials

Our expertise means that we are able to understand and assess complex relationships. This means we can provide you with the best possible support on any issues you may have, whether by producing a party expert opinion or by acting as an arbitrator or technical expert.

Expert reports are drawn up to pinpoint the facts of a case, similar to the process for dealing with damage claims. In the majority of cases, problems will already have been looked into in advance and proposed solutions will have been explained in writing, based on our colleagues' expertise. We would be happy to set out our expert reports, either in the form of a speech or a training session, on your site or here on our premises.

The falling sand abrasion test is used to determine the resistance of organic coatings to abrasion. Abrasives (standardised sand grains) fall from a defined height onto a coated sample plate at a specified angle and gradually erode the surface.

This test evaluates the protective effect of coatings on metal substrates against filiform corrosion. For this purpose, the coating of a test specimen is scribed to the substrate. Corrosion is initiated by applying chlorides. After storage in a climate chamber with constant conditions, the resulting filamentous corrosion is evaluated.

Die DIN 50961 ist entscheidend für die Qualitätsbewertung von galvanischen Beschichtungen, insbesondere von Zinküberzügen auf Stahl, und legt strenge Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren fest, um langlebige und widerstandsfähige Metallüberzüge sicherzustellen.

With a reflectometer, the gloss of a coating can be measured with standardised measuring geometries. The gloss is determined by the reflected portion of a light beam through the surface of the sample at 20, 60 and 85° measuring angles and given in gloss units.

The GSB AL 631 Quality Regulations apply to the coating of components made from aluminium and its alloys, which are used in structural engineering. The GSB ST 663 Quality Regulations apply to non-galvanised steel surfaces, continuously hot-dip coated flat steel (EN 10346) and hot-dip galvanised steel (ISO 1461, single-piece galvanisation) used in structural engineering.

With the impact test, the physical resistance and ductility of a coating can be tested in the event of sudden deformation. A standardised body is dropped onto the sample from a variable height in order to examine the deformed area for cracking or layer detachment after the impact.

The film hardness of a single-layer or multi-layer coating structure can be determined by the Buchholz indentation test. Here, an indenter is placed shock-free on the horizontally aligned surface of the organic coating to be tested and lifted off after a load period of 30 seconds. The length of the lenticular impression in the coating is measured and the indentation resistance according to Buchholz is calculated.

Analysing damage and defects, identifying what caused them and using that information to come up with ways of improving things in future all fall within the Institut für Oberflächentechnik's remit. Whether a galvanised screw has sustained a brittle fracture or the paint on a steel girder is discolouring after just a few months, we can take these defective products and investigate the damage using a range of analysis techniques. We will deal with your damage claims or complaints quickly and purposefully, be it on the construction site, in the production plant or based on samples you provide to us.

The magnetic-inductive method is one way of non-destructive layer thickness measurement, in which the thickness of non-magnetic layers on magnetic substrates (e.g. steel) can be determined.

For the measurement of thicknesses of non-conductive layers on non-magnetic metal substrates (e.g. aluminum), the so-called eddy current method is used.

The Machu test serves as a rapid corrosion test. Initially, the sample is scribed with an X shape down to the substrate. This sample is then exposed to a test solution containing sodium chloride and hydrogen peroxide for 48 hours. The corrosion protection can be assessed by the infiltration at the scribe.

A successful construction project requires regular maintenance and repair work. Where this affects coating/corrosion protection systems, such work is regularly supervised and monitored by our inspectors on site. 

The mandrel bending test is used to determine the ductility and adhesion strength of paints, varnishes, or similar products on metallic substrates. The sample is bent around a cylindrical (DIN EN ISO 1519) or conical (DIN EN ISO 6860) mandrel and then examined for cracking or detachment. The cylindrical mandrel bending test can be carried out according to specifications with different bending radii. In conical mandrel bending test, the bending radius decreases along the longitudinal axis of the sample.

With the manual scratch test, the coating is scraped off to the substrate by pulling a special cable stripper's blade over the surface. Subsequently, the edges of the scraped coating are assessed and assigned to a characteristic value on the basis of comparative images.

The Martindale test is an abrasion resistance test of powder coatings within the scope of the Qualicoat specification. In this method, an abrasive pad is moved over the samples in a defined pattern. Finally, the gloss level is measured and compared with an unexposed area.

If a component/metal behaves unexpectedly by exhibiting corrosion, breakage or deformation, for example, material compositions often need to be investigated or metal alloys have to undergo structural examinations. State-of-the-art equipment enables us to deal with such issues quickly. We can examine the structure of stainless steel grades or the chemical purity of aluminium alloys, for instance.

In this method, a part of the sample is separated and embedded in a synthetic resin. By defined grinding and polishing steps, a cross-section of the portion to be analyzed is prepared and viewed at appropriate magnification with an optical microscope. In addition to pure micrography, thickness measurement of individual layers and assessment of edge coverage of coatings is also possible. Suitable etching processes can also be used to enable a microstructure analysis of metals and alloys. Direct assessment and three-dimensional topographic images of small sample parts with up to 6000x magnification are also feasible.

Our inspectors are experts in all areas of organic coating. We have DIN-certified coating inspectors as well as FROSIO and NACE inspectors who can monitor how coating work is executed for you.

All suppliers to Deutsche Bahn who are involved with powder coating must have their factory production control systems monitored. 

Coating companies must qualify as suppliers according to the Deutsche Bahn standard (DBS) in order to provide Deutsche Bahn with powder-coated exterior and interior parts made of aluminium and steel alloys for rail vehicles. The monitoring of the company's factory production control systems is a requirement of this qualification.

As a notified body under the Construction Products Regulation (EU CPR), the IFO certification body carries out impartial and independent monitoring of coating companies. By having their processes checked and monitored, businesses are not only able to ensure consistent quality, they also benefit from a competitive advantage. The DIN EN 1090 series of standards includes requirements for surface treatment and corrosion protection, as well as for the application and monitoring of the coating and the material used. These processes must match the component specification. The coating company must establish factory production control systems that meet all the requirements of DIN EN 1090 and has to prove that the corrosion protection system used is appropriate for fulfilling the demands of the specified corrosivity category and period of protection. 

In the pistol test (referred to as "(single) impact test" in some standards), a sphere made of hardened steel with a diameter of 5 mm is shot at the sample surface with a specified force (up to 90 N). The coating is then checked for cracks or chips.

With the mortar test, the resistance of organic layers against mortar can be assessed. Since mortar is alkaline, it must be tested whether the paint layer is damaged by exposure. For this method, a standardised mortar is prepared and applied to the surface. After 24 hours of storage under specified conditions, the exposed area is cleaned and inspected. The test is mainly required by specifications focused on construction and façades, e.g. Qualicoat, GSB and AAMA specifications, and is evaluated accordingly.

The IFO Institute is a notified and accredited certification body in accordance with the EU Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 listed in NANDO under NB number 2458.

In order to be notified under the EU CPR, an organisation must be accredited in accordance with EN ISO/IEC 17065 and/or EN ISO/IEC 17025 by the German national accreditation body (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS)).

We certify metal construction companies in accordance with EN 1090.

This test method covers a procedure for rapid determination of hardness of an organic coating on a substrate using pencil leads of known hardness. The hardness of the pencil leads is gradually increased until the coating surface shows visible damage.

In the pistol test (referred to as "(single) impact test" in some standards), a sphere made of hardened steel with a diameter of 5 mm is shot at the sample surface with a specified force (up to 90 N). The coating is then checked for cracks or chips.

The Pressure water-jetting test is a type of adhesion test for coatings. For this purpose, the sample are scribed and then exposed to a high-pressure water jet with defined parameters. Either the maximum detachment of the coating from the scribe (VW TL 52451) or a characteristic value of the damage, determined with comparative images (DIN EN ISO 16925) are presented.

Typical test parameters are defined in the standards VW PV 1503, MBN 10494-5, BMW AA-0136 and TSA 900046.

With pull-off testing, the adhesive strength of a single- or multi-layer system can be determined quantitatively. In Method B, which is particularly suitable for rigid structures, a standardised die made of aluminum is glued to the surface and mechanically torn from the sample after the curing process of the adhesive. The force required for this is measured and normalised on the tested surface. The given results are the tensile stress, as well as a fracture pattern which provides insight whether it ruptured between two layers (adhesive fracture) or within a layer (cohesive fracture).

The QUALANOD international quality label is aimed at companies involved in anodising aluminium for use in architectural and industrial applications where both appearance and long life are important. This global mark of quality is designed to safeguard high standards when it comes to the oxidation of aluminium and its alloys. The QUALANOD Specifications define requirements for sulphuric acid anodising and for products manufactured that way.

The QUALICOAT international quality label is aimed at companies involved in coating aluminium and aluminium alloys for use in architectural applications. We monitor member organisations all over the world to ensure compliance with this global mark of quality.

The QUALIDECO international quality label is aimed at companies involved in decorative coatings. IFO makes sure that participating companies comply with the QUALIDECO quality regulations. As part of these quality checks, our inspectors not only review the comprehensive programme of self-auditing and documentation measures, they also take profiles and subject them to the prescribed corrosion tests in our own QUALIDECO-approved laboratory.

QUALISTEELCOAT is an international mark of quality for organic steel coatings.

In these tests, coatings are tested for their resistance to chemicals, operating fluids and detergents – with or without additional temperature stress, depending on the requirements. Special tests are alkali and acid-heat-alkali (SWA) resistance tests. 

Typical test media are defined e.g. by the VW 50002 factory standard.

In roughness depth measurement, the surface roughness of blasted, sweeped or otherwise mechanically pre-treated surfaces is measured by the profile method.

With scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the surface of a sample can be viewed with high magnification. A finely bundled electron beam scans the surface and interactions of the electrons with the object are used to create an image. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) is a form of elemental analysis by detecting characteristic X-ray radiation of the elements comprising the sample.

In scratch resistance testing, a standardised cemented carbide tip is pulled over the coated surface with constant force. Depending on the requirements, the tip must not reach the base material or leave a permanent impression.

The resistance of coatings to stone chip damage is of particular interest to the automotive industry. In order to simulate stone chipping, a defined amount of angular iron grit is shot at the surface under defined conditions. The evaluation of the stone chipping resistance is carried out with the help of standardised comparative images.

To examine their light fastness, the test specimens are placed in a chamber equipped with a Xenon lamp. After their exposure to light, the extent of colour fade of the exposed test specimens is evaluated by means of the grey scale in comparison with an unexposed reference sample.

In thermal shock testing, especially electroplated coatings are tested for their adhesive strength by heating and subsequent quenching in cold water. Due to the different thermal expansion coefficients as well as the present temperature gradient, there is a short-term mechanical stress between coating and base material. No cracks or chipping must occur in the process.