ISO 4211-6:2025

International
Standard
ISO 4211-6
First edition
Furniture — Tests for surface
2025-09
finishes —
Part 6:
Assessment of resistance to
scratching
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3  Terms and definitions . 1
4  Linear method (Method A) . 3
4.1 Principle .3
4.2 Apparatus and materials .3
4.3 Preparation and conditioning .4
4.3.1 Conditioning .4
4.3.2 Test surface .4
4.3.3 Checking of the tipʼs geometry .4
4.4 Test procedure .5
4.4.1 General .5
4.4.2 Scratching of test area .5
4.4.3 Determination of scratching resistance .5
4.5 Assessment of results .7
5  Circular method (Method B) . 7
5.1 Principle .7
5.2 Apparatus and materials .7
5.3 Preparation and conditioning .11
5.3.1 Conditioning .11
5.3.2 Test surface .11
5.4 Test procedure . 12
5.4.1 General . 12
5.4.2 Preliminary test for the determination of the relevant load range . 12
5.4.3 Main test with three test surfaces . 12
5.5 Assessment of results . 12
6 Test report .13
Annex A (informative)  Checking of the tip, calculation of final results and example of protocol
to record the results .15
Bibliography .18

iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 136, Furniture.
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iv
International Standard ISO 4211-6:2025(en)
Furniture — Tests for surface finishes —
Part 6:
Assessment of resistance to scratching
1 Scope
This document specifies two methods for the assessment of surface resistance to different kinds of visible
scratches.
It is applicable to the rigid surfaces of all finished products, regardless of their material.
It does not apply to finishes on leather and fabrics.
Method A is suitable for all types of surface coatings and coverings except for melamine faced boards (in
accordance with EN 14322) and HPL (in accordance with EN 438-1). It simulates measurable penetrating
and/or deforming scratches.
Method B is suitable for all types of surfaces. It simulates first visible traces (e.g. scratches, marks) that can
also be a change in the gloss.
The test is intended to be carried out on a part of finished furniture. It can, however, be carried out on test
panels of the same material, finished in an identical manner to the finished product, and of a size sufficient
to meet the requirements of the test.
The test is carried out on unused surfaces without any defects or damages.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1518-1, Paints and varnishes — Determination of scratch resistance — Part 1: Constant-loading method
3  Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
test surface
part of the test panel (3.2)
3.2
test panel
panel including the test surface (3.1)
Note 1 to entry: The panel may be cut from a finished item of furniture or it may be a separate panel produced in the
same manner as the finished item of furniture.
3.3
test area
part of the test surface (3.1) under the equipment, where the measurement is carried out
3.4
scratching tip
needle with a point of defined geometry
Note 1 to entry: See 4.2.2 for Method A.
Note 2 to entry: See 5.2.1.5 for Method B.
3.5
scratching trace
visible and measurable scratch on the tested surface, which is produced under the specified
load of the scratching tip (3.4)
Note 1 to entry: The shapes of the traces’ edges can be different depending on the substrate and coating type as shown
in Table 2.
3.6
scratching trace
first visible traces on the tested surface (e.g. scratches, marks), which may also be a change in
the gloss
3.7
scratching resistance
minimum load applied to the scratching tip (3.4), which produces a measurable trace of the
width (W) of ≥ 0,30 mm
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in N.
3.8
scratching resistance
minimum load applied to the scratching tip (3.4), which produces a continuous visible trace in at
least six of eight slots of the template
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in N.
3.9
preliminary assessment of scratching resistance
assessment of the minimum load causing the specified width of the scratch on the test surface (3.1)
3.10
intermediate assessment of scratching resistance
mean value of preliminary assessments of the test surface (3.1)
3.11
final result of scratching resistance
mean value of intermediate assessments of three test surfaces (3.1)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure A.2.

4  Linear method (Method A)
4.1 Principle
Surface scratching resistance is defined as the minimum load in N (Newton) applied to the tip with specified
geometry, which produces a specified scratch width (see 4.4.2).
The width of the scratching trace is the result of the assessment of the series of scratches produced by the tip.
4.2 Apparatus and materials
The following apparatus and materials shall be used.
4.2.1  Equipment for linear method, without hand movement of the scratching tip or the test surface,
according to the principle of ISO 1518-1.
The technical parameters of the apparatus shall be as specified in Table 1.
Table 1 — Technical parameters
Parameter Description/values
Tip/test surface movement Linear
Load range (N) 1,0 to 20,0
Increment of load (N) 1,0 ± 0,1
Speed of the tip’s/test surface movement (mm/s) 20 ± 10
Travel length of the tip or test surface (mm) Minimum 20
4.2.2  Scratching tip, made of diamond, with a radius (R) of (0,30 ± 0,01) mm.
The coupling between the spherical part of the tool and the truncated cone section shall allow the width of
the trace produced by the tool on the test area to be higher than 0,30 mm, without disturbing this truncated
cone section.
An example of this tool is shown in Figure 1.
The tip shall be mounted in the holder with the flat part on the leading side of the shank facing the working
direction.
Key
α tipʼs angle α = (60,0 ± 1,0)°
R radius of tip’s rounded part R = (0,30 ± 0,01) mm
Figure 1 — Scratching tip of the cone type

4.2.3 Optical measurement equipment.
Any suitable equipment (e.g. a microscope) for measuring the trace’s width with ±0,05 mm precision.
4.2.4  Suitable illumination, for measuring the trace’s width with ±0,05 mm precision.
4.2.5  Conditioning chamber, with a standard atmosphere of (23 ± 2) °C and relative humidity of
(50 ± 5) %.
4.2.6  Cleaning cloth, white, soft, absorbent.
4.3  Preparation and conditioning
4.3.1  Conditioning
Conditioning of the test surface shall begin at least one week before testing. Conditioning shall be carried
out in air with a temperature of (23 ± 2) °C and relative humidity of (50 ± 5) %.
The conditioning time shall be stated in the test report.
NOTE Some finishing systems do not fully cure after one week of conditioning.
4.3.2 Test surface
Three test surfaces shall be prepared.
The test surface shall be taken at least 20 mm from the edge.
Each test surface shall be a piece of the test panel, shaped to fit the type of clamping device used.
The test surface shall be carefully wiped with a cleaning cloth (see 4.2.6) before the test without scratching
the surface.
The test surface shall be substantially flat. If the original thickness of the test panel is reduced, the bottom
side shall be parallel to the test surface.
4.3.3  Checking of the tipʼs geometry
The tip’s geometry shall be inspected (see Figure 2). If any flatness, holes or other kind of damages are found,
the scratching tip shall be rejected and replaced by a new one.
Figure 2 — Correct shape o
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