SIST EN 16602-70-17:2020

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2020
Zagotavljanje kakovosti proizvodov v vesoljski tehniki - Preskušanje trajnosti
prevlek in površinske apreture
Space product assurance - Durability testing of coatings and surface finishes
Raumfahrtproduktsicherung - Dauerhaftigkeitsprüfung von Beschichtungen und
Oberflächenbehandlungen
Assurance produit des projets spatiaux - Test de résistance pour les traitements et les
finitions de surfaces
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 16602-70-17:2020
ICS:
03.120.99 Drugi standardi v zvezi s Other standards related to
kakovostjo quality
49.040 Prevleke in z njimi povezani Coatings and related
postopki, ki se uporabljajo v processes used in aerospace
letalski in vesoljski industriji industry
49.140 Vesoljski sistemi in operacije Space systems and
operations
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 16602-70-17
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2020
ICS 49.040; 49.140
English version
Space product assurance - Durability testing of coatings
and surface finishes
Assurance produit des projets spatiaux - Essais de Raumfahrtproduktsicherung - Dauerhaftigkeitsprüfung
durabilité des revêtements et finitions de surface von Beschichtungen und Oberflächenbehandlungen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1 December 2019.

CEN and CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for
giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical
references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to
any CEN and CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN and CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN and CENELEC members are the national standards bodies and national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN/CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means Ref. No. EN 16602-70-17:2020 E
reserved worldwide for CEN national Members and for
CENELEC Members.
Table of contents
European Foreword . 5
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 9
3.1 Terms from other standards . 9
3.2 Terms specific to the present standard . 9
3.3 Abbreviated terms. 9
3.4 Conventions. 10
3.5 Nomenclature . 10
4 Principles . 12
4.1 General test approach . 12
4.2 Categories of use . 12
4.3 Coating classes . 13
4.3.1 Links to other standards . 13
4.3.2 Thin film optical coatings . 13
4.3.3 Thermo-optical and thermal control coatings (TCC) . 14
4.3.4 Other metallic coatings . 15
4.4 Test philosophy . 15
4.5 Sample description . 17
4.5.1 Evaluation phase . 17
4.5.2 Qualification phase. 17
4.5.3 Production phase . 18
5 Test programme . 19
5.1 Evaluation . 19
5.2 Qualification . 19
5.3 Production . 22
5.4 Sample definition for a test programme . 23
5.5 Handling and storage of qualification samples . 23
5.6 Test acceptance criteria . 24
6 Test methods, conditions and measurements . 25
6.1 Visual inspection . 25
6.2 Adhesion . 25
6.3 Humidity and temperature . 26
6.4 Thermal vacuum and cycling . 27
6.5 Cleaning and solvent compatibility . 28
6.6 Abrasion . 29
6.7 Particle and UV Radiation . 29
6.8 Thickness measurement . 30
6.9 Surface resistivity and ESD . 30
7 Quality assurance . 31
7.1 Documentation . 31
7.2 Maintenance of process qualification . 31
Annex A (normative) Coating qualification test plan - DRD . 32
A.1 DRD identification . 32
A.1.1 Requirement identification and source document . 32
A.1.2 Purpose and objective . 32
A.2 Expected response . 32
A.2.1 Scope and content . 32
A.2.2 Special remarks . 32
Annex B (normative) Coating qualification test report - DRD . 33
B.1 DRD identification . 33
B.1.1 Requirement identification and source document . 33
B.1.2 Purpose and objective . 33
B.2 Expected response . 33
B.2.1 Scope and content . 33
B.2.2 Special remarks . 34
Annex C (normative) Coating acceptance test report - DRD . 35
C.1 DRD identification . 35
C.1.1 Requirement identification and source document . 35
C.1.2 Purpose and objective . 35
C.2 Expected response . 35
C.2.1 Scope and content . 35
C.2.2 Special remarks . 35
Annex D (informative) Additional information about test methods . 36
D.1 Functional performance testing . 36
D.2 Humidity . 37
D.3 Thermal cycling . 37
D.4 Thermal endurance (ageing) . 38
D.5 Outgassing . 38
D.6 Particle and UV Radiation . 38
D.7 Atomic oxygen . 39
D.8 Air-vacuum testing . 39
D.9 Laser induced damage testing . 39
D.10 Contamination effects . 40
D.11 Solar illumination . 40
Annex E (informative) Tape strengths and type for adhesion testing . 41
Bibliography . 42

Figures
Figure 4-1: Test philosophy for durability testing of coatings . 15

Tables
Table 4-1: Other ECSS standards covering the manufacture and acceptance testing of
different coating classes . 13
Table 4-2: Main types of optical coatings (adapted from ISO 9211-1:2010 definitions) . 14
Table 5-1:Test matrix for qualification of optical coatings . 20
Table 5-2:Test Matrix for qualification of TCC coatings . 21
Table 5-3:Test matrix for qualification of thick metallic coatings for RF and electrical
applications, and corrosion protection coatings . 22
Table 5-4:Test Matrix for Production of Optical Coatings . 23

: Typical performance testing . 36
: Typical tapes used for adhesion testing of space coatings . 41

European Foreword
This document (EN 16602-70-17:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/CLC/TC 5
“Space”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN (Germany).
This document (EN 16602-70-17:2020) originates from ECSS-Q-ST-70-17C.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2020, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2020.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document has been developed to cover specifically space systems and will therefore have
precedence over any EN covering the same scope but with a wider domain of applicability (e.g.:
aerospace).
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Introduction
Many different environmental factors can have an effect on coating durability
for space applications. This includes in-orbit effects such as thermal cycling and
particle radiation, as well as ground based effects such as cleaning,
contamination and humidity. Space projects have typically been free to choose
their own test requirements, based on a combination of existing standards and
specific requirements for a given project. This approach can lead to ambiguous
definitions about when a coating is “space qualified”. The supplier and
customer often re-negotiate very general aspects of coating qualification for
each new project. The intention of the present standard is to capture the best
practice across the large range of existing national and international standards,
in order to specify a minimum set of durability requirements for coating use in
space applications. Information is also provided about some mission specific
tests (including the atomic oxygen test, thermal ageing test, air-vacuum test and
solar illumination test).
Scope
This standard specifies requirements for the durability testing of coatings most
commonly used for space applications, i.e.:
• Thin film optical coatings
• Thermo-optical and thermal control coatings (the majority are paints,
metallic deposits and coatings for stray light reduction)
• Metallic coatings for other applications (RF, electrical, corrosion
protection)
This standard covers testing for both ground and in-orbit phases of a space
mission.
This standard includes coatings within off the shelf items
This standard specifies the types of test to be performed for each class of
coating, covering the different phases of a space project (evaluation,
qualification and acceptance)
This standard does not cover:
• The particular qualification requirements for a specific mission
• Specific functional testing requirements for the different coating classes
• Test requirements for long term storage
• Solar cell cover glass coatings
• Surface treatments and conformal coatings applied on EEE parts
This standard may be tailored for the specific characteristic and constrains of a
space project in conformance with ECSS-S-ST-00.
Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through
reference in this text, constitute provisions of this ECSS Standard. For dated
references, subsequent amendments to, or revision of any of these publications
do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this ECSS Standard are
encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the more recent editions of
the normative documents indicated below. For undated references, the latest
edition of the publication referred to applies.

EN reference Reference in text Title
EN 16601-00-01 ECSS-S-ST-00-01 ECSS system – Glossary of terms
EN 16603-10-12 ECSS-E-ST-10-12 Space engineering – Method for the calculation of
radiation received and its effects, and a policy for
design margins
EN 16602-70-03 ECSS-Q-ST-70-03 Space product assurance- Black anodizing of metals
with inorganic dyes
EN 16602-70-31 ECSS-Q-ST-70-31 Space product assurance- Application of paints and
coatings on space hardware
ISO 9211-4:2012 Optics and photonics – Optical coatings. Part 4:
Specific test methods
ISO 2409:2007 Paints and varnishes: Cross cut test
ISO 4524-5:1985 Metallic coatings – Test methods for electrodeposited
gold and gold alloy coatings – Part 5: Adhesion tests
ISO 3696:1987 Water for analytical laboratory use— Specification
and test methods
ASTM B571-18 Standard practice for qualitative adhesion testing of
metallic coatings
ASTM D1193-06(2011) Standard specification for reagent water

Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms from other standards
a. For the purpose of this Standard, the terms and definitions from ECSS-S-
ST-00-01 apply, in particular for the following term:
1. qualification
b. For the purpose of this Standard, the terms and definitions from ECSS-E-
ST-10-12 apply, in particular for the following terms:
1. total ionising dose (TID)
2. total non-ionising dose (TNID)
3.2 Terms specific to the present standard
3.2.1 coating lot
set of substrates to which a coating is applied at the same time using the same
chamber, bath or other equipment
Can also be called “coating run” or “coating
batch”.
3.2.2 sample repair
localised re-application of a coating
3.2.3 sample de-treat or re-treat
complete removal and re-application of a coating onto an existing substrate
3.3 Abbreviated terms
For the purpose of this Standard, the abbreviated terms and symbols from
ECSS-S-ST-00-01 and the following apply:

Abbreviation Meaning
electrostatic discharge
ESD
geometrically representative model
GRM
Abbreviation Meaning
identification
ID
isopropylalcohol
IPA
indium tin oxide
ITO
laser induced damage
LID
laser induced contamination
LIC
methyl ethyl ketone
MEK
nonconformance
NC
quality assurance
QA
radio frequency
RF
thermal control coatings
TCC
total ionising dose
TID
total non-ionising dose
TNID
technology readiness level
TRL
ultraviolet
UV
vacuum ultraviolet
VUV
3.4 Conventions
Coating process qualification is equivalent to the ECSS-Q-ST-70 meaning of
process verification.
3.5 Nomenclature
The following nomenclature applies throughout this document:
a. The word “shall” is used in this Standard to express requirements. All
the requirements are expressed with the word “shall”.
b. The word “should” is used in this Standard to express recommendations.
All the recommendations are expressed with the word “should”.
It is expected that, during tailoring,
recommendations in this document are either
converted into requirements or tailored out.
c. The words “may” and “need not” are used in this Standard to express
positive and negative permissions, respectively. All the positive
permissions are expressed with the word “may”. All the negative
permissions are expressed with the words “need not”.
d. The word “can” is used in this Standard to express capabilities or
possibilities, and therefore, if not accompanied by one of the previous
words, it implies descriptive text.
In ECSS “may” and “can” have completely
different meanings: “may” is normative
(permission), and “can” is descriptive.
e. The present and past tenses are used in this Standard to express
statements of fact, and therefore they imply descriptive text.
Principles
4.1 General test approach
This standard gives a minimum set of tests to validate the coating process and
also to give some meaningful results about exposure of the coating in its
operating environment. However, full qualification of the coating for a specific
space mission depends on the mission parameters, and it can be also necessary
to define additional tests which are beyond the scope of the standard.
The practical severity of any test listed can be limited by the substrate (for
example, it is not possible to perform the humidity test on hygroscopic
substrates).
The tests are subdivided into degrees of severity, where appropriate. The
standard gives condensed specification about the test method only. The full test
procedure can be taken from appropriate international standards, or can be
specified by mutual agreement between customer and supplier.
An individual test performed on a one-test-on-one-sample basis can give
information about that single property of a coating reflected by that test and can
be particularly useful for the supplier. In reality, coatings face a variety and
range of severity of environmental exposures, and this is simulated by certain
test sequences. Inevitably, such test sequences represent accumulative
requirements.
4.2 Categories of use
For the space applications covered by this standard, the on-ground
environment for all coatings is generally the same. The coatings are exposed
only to a controlled environment (e.g. inside a cleanroom) and the coatings can
be subjected to mild abrasion such as occurs with carefully controlled cleaning.
In-orbit, the following categories of use are specified in order to determine the
severity of testing:
• Category A: Coating is within a sealed, pressurised unit
• Category B: Coating is exposed to vacuum but shielded inside spacecraft
• Category C: Coating is exposed to vacuum with view to space
4.3 Coating classes
4.3.1 Links to other standards
For the present standard, the coatings are classified according to the type of
durability testing. Technical requirements for the manufacture and acceptance
testing of different coatings are also specified in various other ECSS standards.
The link with the present standard is shown in Table 4-1.
Table 4-1: Other ECSS standards covering the manufacture and acceptance testing
of different coating classes
Standard Coating class according to
ECSS-Q-ST-70-17
ECSS-Q-ST-70-03 “Black anodising of metals with in-organic Thermo-optical and thermal
dyes” control
ECSS-Q-ST-70-31 “Application of paints on space hardware” Thermo-optical and thermal
control
ECSS-Q-ST-70-14 “Corrosion” Corrosion protection coatings
ECSS-Q-ST-70-71 “Data for the selection of space materials”
Anodizing Thermo-optical and thermal
control
Platings:
<1 μm Test as for optical coatings
>1 μm Thick metallic deposit
ECSS-E-ST-32-08 “Materials”
Anodizing Thermo-optical and thermal
control
Metallic coatings Thick metallic deposits
Hard coatings N/A
Thermal barriers, moisture barriers, coatings on CFRP N/A
4.3.2 Thin film optical coatings
An optical coating is composed of a combination of thin film layers used to
enhance transmission or reflection properties within an optical system. The
performance of an optical coating is dependent on the number of layers, the
thickness of the individual layers and the refractive index difference at the layer
interfaces, and the properties of the substrate.
Optical coatings can be specified according to the function i.e. according to the
nature of the principal modification to the surface properties that they realise.
The main types of optical coating are identified in Table 4-2.
Table 4-2: Main types of optical coatings (adapted from ISO 9211-1:2010
definitions)
Principle function Definition Example of application
Coating increases the Telescope mirror
Reflecting
reflectance of an optical surface
Coating reduces the reflectance Coating on an instrument
Anti-reflecting
of an optical surface entrance window
Coating separating the Partial reflector
Beam splitting
incidence flux into two beams
Coating reducing the Neutral density filter
Attenuating
transmittance in non-selective
manner
Coating modifying the Filter for imaging instrument
Bandpass or band rejection
transmittance in a selective
filter
manner
Coating dividing the incidence Dichroic mirror, near infrared
Selecting or combining long
flux into two or more beams cut-off filter
pass or short pass
each one covering a limited
spectral region
Coating controlling the state of Polarizer
Polarizing
polarization of the emergent
electromagnetic radiation
Coating controlling the phase Phase retarder
Phase changing
change of the emergent
electromagnetic radiation
relative to the incident radiation
Coating absorbing a specified Light trap
Absorbing
value of the incident flux
4.3.3 Thermo-optical and thermal control coatings
(TCC)
TCCs are the elements of passive and active temperature control systems for
temperature regulation of spacecraft. The thermal control coatings can be
classified as follows:
• Type I: true absorber (αs →1, ε →1);
• Type II: solar reflector (αs →0, ε →1);
• Type III: solar absorber (αs →1, ε →0);
• Type IV: true reflector (αs →0, ε →0).
Examples of typical TCC coatings are:
• Paints
• Metallic coatings (e.g. for radiators)
• Coatings for stray light reduction (e.g. black anodization)
4.3.4 Other metallic coatings
This class of coatings covers metallic coatings generally thicker than 1 μm. For
example, this type of coating can be used for RF applications, electrical
applications and corrosion protection.
4.4 Test philosophy
The overall test philosophy for any class of coating is depicted in Figure 4-1.
Supplier
Coating already qualified? yes
no:
evaluation needed
New Delta
Re-qualification
qualification qualification
Manufacturing of Manufacturing of delta Manufacturing of re-
qualification hardware* qualification hardware* qualification hardware*
Reduced test
Full test programme
programme
Test report
Production
Manufacturing of flight part
and in-process samples**
Lot acceptance
tests
* Representative samples or flight representative part
* Representative samples or flight representative part
** Increased control on first article produced for recurrent production
** Increased control on first article produced for recurrent production

Figure 4-1: Test philosophy for durability testing of coatings
In the Figure 4-1, the following project phases are specified:
a. Evaluation
1. First approach to characterise new coatings at TRL 1 – 3 (see ECSS-
E-AS-11)
2. Reduced test programme
- Relevant standards - Relevant standards
- Project specifications - Project specifications

3. Early screening to intercept weak coating before starting the core
of the expensive qualification
The definition of the evaluation phase for new
materials and processes is provided in ECSS-Q-
ST-70.
b. New Qualification
1. New supplier, materials or process
2. Full test programme is necessary
3. First time the programme is performed (i.e. new qualification test
plan)
4. The minimum qualification matrix guarantees:
(a) Repeatability of the process is verified (e.g. by performing 2
coating runs for the qualification samples)
(b) Early screening to intercept weak coating before starting the
core of the expensive qualification
(c) Essential tests that are unavoidable
(d) Correct test sequence
(e) Not too many resources in terms of:
(1) Samples quantity,
(2) Number of tests,
(3) Campaign duration,
(4) Number of spectral measurements (avoid repetition
and redundancies)
c. Re-qualification
Re-qualification is implemented when there are major changes to existing
process e.g.
1. Change of equipment,
2. Change of site,
3. Previous major anomalies
4. Process not implemented for prolonged period (typically more
than 1 year)
Reduced test programme can be accepted, according to existing
qualification test plan
d. Delta qualification
Delta qualification is implemented for minor changes in existing process
e.g.
1. Minor changes to substrate material (e.g. alloys in different series)
2. Different environment
3. Different substrate geometry or surface preparation
4. Minor differences in coating design (e.g. layer thickness or
number)
5. Minor changes to coating materials or process
Reduced test programme can be accepted, according to modification of
existing qualification test plan.
e. Production phase
1. Coating is already fully qualified, and only lot acceptance tests are
performed on samples selected from production lot.
4.5 Sample description
4.5.1 Evaluation phase
The evaluation phase is used for new coating designs. Samples replicate specific
critical design features of the new coating e.g. interface materials, and substrate
conditioning. Evaluation is optional if the risk level is limited.
4.5.2 Qualification phase
4.5.2.1 Qualification samples
Qualification samples are representative of the flight hardware, for materials,
finishing and coating process.
Typically these are flat samples with standard thickness and shape in order to
accommodate the standard testing requirements.
4.5.2.2 Geometrically representative model
A representative sample is necessary to complete the qualification when specific
design features and operational environmental conditions can induce coating
morphology heterogeneity, coating thickness variation and deformations of the
substrate. For example, the following aspects need to be taken into account:
a. size and curvature of substrate
b. adhesion layers
c. primers
d. optical components with different coatings on each side
e. masking
f. grounding
g. holes for fastening
Special tests can be necessary (typically out of the scope of the standard). The
qualification samples are adapted for this purpose.
4.5.3 Production phase
Flight coating process is always verified. If the flight object itself cannot be
tested, then in-process samples are necessary, manufactured in the same
coating run as the flight object. If necessary, witness samples can also be
produced at the same time and batch, and stored.
Test programme
5.1 Evaluation
a. The following tests shall be performed in the evaluation phase:
1. Adhesion
2. Humidity
3. Thermal cycling
Methods are specified in clause 6.
b. The substrate material and surface finish shall be representative of the
final product.
c. The substrates position in the coating chamber shall be the same as for
qualification.
Coatings chambers are mainly used for vapour
and plasma deposition.
d. At least three samples shall be submitted to the evaluation testing.
e. Specific test sequence, conditions, measurements and performance
criteria shall be agreed between supplier and customer.
For curved parts, some measurements (e.g.
spectral performance) can be performed on flat
samples.
5.2 Qualification
a. The coating qualification test programme shall be agreed with the
customer.
b. The conditions and methods for coating qualification testing shall
conform to the coating procurement specification.
c. The qualification testing shall not be considered valid until agreed by the
customer.
The customer grants this validation based on
the outcome of the durability tests and
associated functional performance testing.
d. The following minimum set of qualification tests shall be performed
according to the coating type:
1. for optical coatings, as specified in Table 5-1,
2. for TCC coatings, as specified in Table 5-2,
3. for thick metallic coatings for RF and electrical applications and
corrosion protection coatings, as specified in Table 5-3.
Test methods are defined in clause 6.
e. Visual inspection shall be performed before and after each test step, in
compliance with requirements from clause 6.1.
f. Vacuum tests shall be performed for Category B and C.
Categories of use are defined in clause 4.2.
g. Vacuum test may be omitted for Category A subject to customer
agreement.
h. For optical coatings, two coating lots shall be tested in order to verify the
repeatability of the process in conformance with Table 5-1.
i. Additional tests for qualification shall be agreed with the customer.
Examples of such tests are shown in Annex D
and depend on the space mission
j. Reduced test programme for qualification shall be agreed between
customer and supplier.
k. Reduced test programme may be accepted for requalification or delta
qualification.
l. The requirements for tests on a geometrically representative model shall
be agreed with the customer.
An explanation about the geometrically
representative model is given in Clause 4.5.2.2.
m. For metallic coatings > 1 μm a metallographic inspection shall be done on
the geometrically representative model.
Table 5-1:Test matrix for qualification of optical coatings
Test Method Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample
description 1 2 3 4 5 6
Performance 1, 5 1, 3 1, 3 1, 5 1, 5 1
Adhesion Clause 6.2 6 4 4 6 6
Cleanability Clause 6.5 2
Moderate abrasion Clause 6.6 3
Humidity Clause 6.3 4  2 2
Thermal vacuum Clause 6.4 2 3 3
and cycling
Particle and UV Clause 6.7  2 4 4
Radiation
Additional tests in accordance
with
requirement
5.2i
NOTE 1: The numbers in the columns indicate the sequence (order) in which the tests are performed.
For example, the test sequence for Sample1 is performance (1), cleanability (2), abrasion(3),
humidity(4), performance(5), adhesion (6)
NOTE 2: The reason for dividing the samples into groups is to test for the following:
S1: Resistance to moisture effects, used as a fast control at start of qualification campaign
S2: Resistance to thermal effects
S3: Resistance to radiation
S4: Cumulative effects
S5: Repeat of test for cumulative effects
S6: Stored for reference (no tests)
NOTE 3: For performance testing, see Annex D
NOTE 4: An additional sample used to test the adhesion immediately after the coating run can minimise the
risk of discovering adhesion problems only at the end of the qualification testing

Table 5-2:Test Matrix for qualification of TCC coatings
Test Method Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample
description 1 2 3 4 5 6
Performance 2 2, 5 2, 5 2, 5 2, 5 2
Thickness Clause 6.8 1 1 1 1 1 1
Adhesion Clause 6.2 4 7 7 7 7
Resistivity and Clause 6.9 3 6 6 6 6
ESD
Humidity Clause 6.3 3 3 3 3
Thermal vacuum Clause 6.4 4 4 4 4
and cycling
Additional tests in accordance with requirement 5.2i
including UV and
particle radiation
NOTE1: The numbers in the columns indicate the sequence (order) in which the tests are performed
For example, the test sequence for Sample1 is thickness (1), performance (2), resistivity and ESD (3),
adhesion (4)
NOTE 2: For TCC, performance testing is mainly thermo-optical properties (see ECSS-Q-ST-70-09). Diffusivity
and specularity measurements can also be requested for stray light applications
NOTE3: The reason for dividing the samples into groups is to test for the following:
S1: Fast control
S2,S3,S4: repeat
S5: Repair(touch-up), OR de-treat and re-treat
S6: reference
Table 5-3:Test matrix for qualification of thick metallic coatings for RF and
electrical applications, and corrosion protection coatings
Test Method Sample Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 GRM Sample
description 1 6
Thickness Clause 6.8 1 1 1 1 1 1
Adhesion Clause 6.2 2, 4, 6 2, 4, 6 2, 4 ,6 2, 4, 6 2, 4, 6 2
Humidity Clause 6.3 3 3 3 3 3
Thermal Clause 6.4 5 5 5 5 5
vacuum and
cycling
Additional in accordance
tests with requirement
5.2i
NOTE 1: The numbers in the columns indicate the sequence in which the tests are performed. For example, the test
sequence for Sample1 is thickness(1), adhesion (2), humidity (3), adhesion (4), thermal vacuum and cycling
(5), adhesion (6)
NOTE2: The reason for dividing the samples into groups is to test for the following:
S1, S2, S3: repeat
S4: treat and de-treat
NOTE3: for RF coatings, the performance measurements can only be done on the geometrically representative model
NOTE4: GRM can be a flat sample

5.3 Production
a. Acceptance tests for production shall be agreed with the customer.
For heat quench test into air on metallic
platings, refer to requirement 4.3.10f of ECSS-
Q-ST-70-71.
b. For production of previously qualified optical coatings the following
conditions shall be met:
1. the minimum set of lot acceptance tests specified in Table 5-4 are
performed on a minimum of two samples selected from the flight
lot;
2. one untested sample from the flight lot is retained as a reference
sample;
3. visual inspection is performed before and after each test as a test
result evaluation;
4. reduced spectral performances are agreed between customer and
supplier in case of complex measurements and redundancies.
c. Acceptance tests for paints shall be performed in accordance with ECSS-
Q-ST-70-31.
d. Acceptance tests for black anodization shall be performed in accordance
with ECSS-Q-ST-70-03.
Table 5-4:Test Matrix for Production of Optical Coatings
Test Method Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
Performance 1 1, 6 1
Adhesion Clause 6.2 2 7
Cleanability Clause 6.5 2
Moderate abrasion Clause 6.6 3
Humidity Clause 6.3 4
Thermal vacuum and Clause 6.4 5
cycling
5.4 Sample definition for a test programme
a. Samples shall be representative of the flight hardware for the following
aspects:
1. same substrate material
2. same surface finishing
3. same coating
4. same supplier
5. same production facility and coating chamber
6. same manufacturing process
For the requirement 5.4a.2 surface finishing
includes for example polishing, etching or
cleaning.
b. The need for a geometrically representative model or additional samples
with specific geometry shall be agreed with the customer before the start
of the coating qualification programme.
c. Samples dimensions and geometries shall be compatible with the test
methods.
5.5 Handling and storage of qualification samples
a. Prior to and during the testing samples shall be protected from
degradation due to storage and handling.
NOTE 1 Handling precautions are commensurate with
the coating family. For example, suitable gloves
and face masks are worn during handling to
protect sensitive optical samples.
NOTE 2 Storage after test depends on project
specifications.
NOTE 3 Some coatings e.g. silver are susceptible to
tarnishing during storage and specific
protective measures are necessary.
b. Traceability of samples shall be maintained.
5.6 Test acceptance criteria
a. After the completion of each test, the coating shall be accepted when the
following criteria are met:
1. no visual degradation of the coating;
2. no delamination or adherence loss;
3. thickness conforms to requirements;
4. performance measurements comply with coating specification.
NOTE 1 Degradation can be colour change, cracks, pits.
NOTE 2 Additional microscope inspection can be used
for suspected degradation.
NOTE 3 Specific acceptance criteria can also be defined
for some tests.
NOTE 4 For some test steps, a partial set of
measurements can be agreed with the
customer, to save time and effort (see Annex
D).
NOTE 5 Coating specification is included in the
qualification plan (see Annex A).
Test methods, conditions and
measurements
6.1 Visual inspection
a. Samples shall be cleaned and inspected before and after each test step to
verify that the defects are in conformance with the coating specification.
b. During visual inspection no degradation shall be evident compared to
the initial inspection.
c. The inspection method shall be stated in the Coating Qualification test
Report in conformance with DRD from Annex B.
NOTE 1 A method for visual inspection of optical
coatings is defined in Annex C of ISO 9211-
4:2012.
NOTE 2 Microscope images can be taken in case of
suspected anomaly.
NOTE 3 Illumination conditions are important (e.g. use
of UV light, or blue light).
NOTE 4 For coatings within electronic boxes,
magnification is important to detect possible
defects related to electrical shorts.
NOTE 5 The following standards provide further
guidelines for visual inspection of coatings:
• ISO 10110-7:2008 and ISO 14997:2011
• ISO 21227-1 Part 1 (2003)
• ASTM B488-11 for gold plating
6.2 Adhesion
a. The adhesion test shall be selected according to the coating and substrate
thickness.
b. For optical coatings, the adhesion test shall be performed according to
ISO 9211-4:2012, Conditioning method 2, Adhesion, Degree of severity
01.
Degree of severity 01 corresponds to a rate of
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