Specification 0170

Prefinished / Prepainted Exterior Sheet Metal Cladding

Editorial Note - This version of the specification 1. Scope
incorporates a general format update only.
1.1 Description
APAS Document D188 should be This specification covers factory
read to obtain a broad overview of the precoated aluminium, stainless steel and
Australian Paint Approval Scheme hot-dipped zinc coated or aluminium/zinc
(APAS). steel used as metal roofing, exterior wall
Manufacturers who wish to participate cladding and rainwater goods.
in APAS within Australia should consult
APAS documents D177 (for Australian Product categories covered under this
manufacturers), D178 (for overseas specification are;
manufacturers) & D180 (for toll /1 Mild to moderate rural, urban, tropical
manufacturers). and industrial environments
Manufacturers who wish to participate (= AS/NZS 2728 Type 3)
in APAS within their own countries should /2 Marine and industrial environments
consult APAS document D175. (= AS/NZS 2728 Type 4)
APAS approval to this specification /3 Severe marine environment
may be gained by compliance with the (= AS/NZS 2728 Type 5(a)
requirements detailed in this specification /4 Heavy industrial and industrial marine
and those in document D192 “The APAS (= AS/NZS 2728 Type 5(b))
Product Approval System”. /5 Very severe marine environment
All APAS Documents may be (= AS/NZS 2728 Type 6(a))
downloaded from the APAS web site /6 Very severe industrial and geothermal
located at: (= AS/NZS 2728 Type 6(b))
www.apas.gov.au
1.2 Similar Specifications
These product types correspond to
Definition Types and Finishes specified in AS/NZS
Product, in the context of this specification, 2728.
is taken to mean the prefinished sheet
metal, either formed or un-formed, along 1.3 Composition
with the appropriate pretreatment and The coating shall conform to the
coatings applied and cured requirements of Schedule 1 and Schedule
2 of Appendix I of the Australian Standard
Applicator, in the context of this for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and
specification, is taken to mean the Poisons (Uniform Paint Standard). The
manufacturer of the prefinished metal pigmentation shall consist of appropriate
product; the organisation combining all the colouring pigments and, if required,
ingredients of the product - base metal, extender pigments. The binder shall be of a
pretreatments, primers, top coats and type to provide the properties called for in
backing coats. this specification.

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1.4 Uses
Products approved under this
specification are commonly used as wall
and roof cladding materials or gutters and
downpipes. They are usually factory-
coated and formed, although some on-site
forming is also performed.
1.5 Types
While there are six types, products
approved within any one type are not
necessarily equivalent in performance even
for the same “finish”. This is due to the
variety of processes making up the product
(processes such as substrate metal type,
pretreatment and prime coats). For
example, propensity for pitting and
corrosion at cut edges, resistance to
mechanical damage, ease of installation
etc. may vary from product to product
unless all components of the product are
identical.
In addition, the formed shape or profile
of the sheet metal cladding can have a
significant effect on its long term
performance. Reference should be made
to the manufacturer as to the most suitable
profile.
0170/1 Mild to Moderate
Decorative metal roof and wall
cladding; typically 25µm thick over zinc or
zinc/aluminium alloy coated steel, or
aluminium. Used for general exterior
service in mild to moderate rural, urban,
tropical and industrial environments.
0170/2 Marine and Industrial
Decorative roof and wall cladding;
typically 20-25µm thick over zinc or
zinc/aluminium alloy coated steel, or
aluminium. Used for exterior service in
coastal or moderate industrial atmospheres
(Note 1).
0170/3 Severe marine
Decorative roof and wall cladding;
typically either 25µm thick on aluminium or
≥ 45µm on zinc or zinc/aluminium alloy
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coated steel. For use in marine
environments (Note 1) considered
"severe".
0170/4 Heavy industrial and industrial
marine
Decorative roof and wall cladding;
typically either 25µm thick on aluminium or
≥ 45µm on zinc or zinc/aluminium alloy
coated steel. Used in heavy industrial or
moderate industrial atmospheres close to
the coast (Note 1&2).
0170/5 Very severe marine
A decorative or semi decorative roof
and wall cladding; coating consisting of
either a durable or high build coating over
metallic coated steel or a low build coating
over aluminium or stainless steel. Used in
areas in close proximity to coastal salt
spray (Note 1).
0170/6 Very severe industrial and
geothermal
A decorative or semi decorative roof
and wall cladding; coating as described for
Type 6(a). For use in general heavy
industrial applications and in New
Zealand’s geothermal area (see Notes 1 &
2).
Note 1: For maximised performance, particularly of
low build finishes, viz <30µm, regular washing of
surfaces exposed to airborne salt and industrial
pollutants is necessary, especially in areas protected
from rainfall.
Note 2: Industrial pollution implies general pollution,
including particulates; where specific atypical
chemical or solvent pollutants occur, the suitability of
the product will need to be considered on an
individual basis.
1.6 Finishes
(a) “Standard Finish”
A “standard finish” provides optimum
decorative and durability performance for
coating subjected to exterior exposure in
most domestic, commercial and light
industrial circumstances. In areas remote
from coastal salts or industrial pollution, a
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life durability of some 15 years could be Group 5 Dark blues based on organic
expected before recoating becomes blue pigments.
necessary. (L value <40).
Group 6 Dark greens based on
(b) "Enhanced Finish” inorganic green pigments
An “enhanced finish” provides for (L value <40).
maximised colour and gloss retention and Group 7 Dark greens based on organic
resistance to chalking when the coating is green pigments
subject to exterior exposure. Application is (L value <40).
largely limited to high rise and prestige Group 8 Mid blues based on inorganic
constructions. In areas remote from coastal blue pigments
salts or industrial pollution, a life durability (L value >40 <70).
of 25 years could be expected before Group 9 Mid blues based on organic
recoating becomes necessary. blue pigments
(L value >40 <70).
(c) “Industrial Finish” Group 10 Mid greens based on inorganic
An “industrial finish” provides long term green pigments
coating integrity under exterior exposure. (L value >40 <70).
However while the coating will provide an Group 11 Mid greens based on organic
essentially even colour and appearance, green pigments
chalking and/or dirt retention may limit its (L value >40 <70).
aesthetic appeal. Such decorative Group 12 Mid to dark violets
performance is usually of secondary (L value >40 <70).
importance. Group 13 Reds & oranges based on
inorganic red & orange
1.7 Colour Groupings pigments
Applicator’s Colour Range (ACR) (L value <70).
typically run to several hundred colours Group 14 Reds & oranges based on
with dozens of new colours being added organic red & orange pigments
annually. (L value <70).
In order to limit the number of Group 15 Yellows based on inorganic
submissions required for ACR approval, yellow pigments
colours have been grouped according to (L value <70).
the chemical composition of the main Group 16 Yellows based on organic
pigment. yellow pigments
These colour groupings are; (L value <70).
Group 17 Mid tone greys and browns
Group 1 Whites (L value >80) based on inorganic pigments
Group 2 Black, dark brown or dark grey (L value >40 <70).
colours based on inorganic Group 18 Mid tone greys and browns
black pigment based on organic pigments
(L value <40). (L value >40 <70).
Group 3 Black, dark brown or dark grey Group 19 Pastel colours
colours based on non- (L value >70 <80).
inorganic black pigment. Group 20 Metallics & pearlescents
(L value <40). (no L-value limits).
Group 4 Dark blues based on inorganic
blue pigments.
(L value <40).

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2. Applicable Documents
Reference is made to:
AS/NZS 1580 Paints and related
materials - Methods of test.
AS/NZS 2728 Prefinished/prepainted sheet
metal products for interior/exterior building
applications - Performance requirements
available in Australia from Standards
Australia offices in all capital cities (and
on-line at www.standards.com.au) and in
New Zealand from Standards New
Zealand offices.
Australian Uniform Paint Standard
(Appendix I of issue No.17 onwards of the
Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of
Drugs & Poisons),
available from Australian Government Info
stores in all capital cities in Australia.
3. Requirements for Product Approval
The general requirements of APAS
Document D192 shall apply.
As product performance depends
critically on not only the conditions of
exposure but also on the composition of
the approved product, there can be no
blanket approvals for one coating type
(Industrial, Standard, Enhanced) over all
combinations of base metal, pretreatment
and primer.
Product approval shall be limited to the
product composition specified in the
application.
3.1 Composition
The composition of the product
submitted for the tests on which the APAS
approval was based, shall be known as the
approved product composition. This
composition shall comprise some or all of
the following, depending on the end use of
the product;
• base metal,
• pretreatment/s,
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• primer,
• top coat and/or backing coat.
(See section 3.3.2 (a) for required
compositional details. See section 3.2 for
Traceability requirements).
It shall be the responsibility of the
applicator to notify the Executive Officer -
APAS, of any significant changes made to
this approved product composition and
supply evidence if so requested, to
demonstrate why the changes will not
downgrade the performance of the product.
The applicator shall also have in place
procedures and processes requiring
coating manufacturers to advise of all
significant formulation changes.
In cases involving changes in dry film
thickness of the base metal, top coating,
coating formulation and baking schedules
of the product, APAS may request
additional verification testing.
Depending on the extent and
relevance of the data provided in support of
the change, product approval may be
continued on an interim basis until the
results of this latter test become available.
An audit of the product composition or
coating formulation may be carried out at
any time and is likely to be carried out in
cases of user complaints where the cause
of the complaint has not been determined.
In such cases, where a significant formula
change has been made without
notification, APAS approval shall be
withdrawn.
3.2 Traceability
The applicator shall be required to
maintain a level of traceability on the
product such that the source of individual
components of the product can be
examined in the event of a product
complaint or failure. For the applied
coating, this traceability shall include
details of the manufacturer, their product
reference and batch number.
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3.3 Submission Procedure
Where an application is being made for
approval of the Applicator’s Colour Range
(ACR), provided that the product
composition and coating formulation is
essentially the same, one submission for
each colour group shall be made.
In cases where a colour is to be added
to the colour group of an approved product,
provided that the product composition and
coating formulation is essentially the same
as the existing approved products, a
request in writing to APAS to the effect that
approval is being sought for product X,
colour Y, being of the same composition as
product Z, shall be made.
The applicator shall provide to the
Executive Officer - APAS for each product /
colour group applied for;
(a) an "Application for Approval" form
(APAS Document D139) showing the
compositional details of the product, ie. the
base metal, pretreatment/s, primer, topcoat
and backing coat, as applicable.
Note 3: APAS Documents and specifications may be
downloaded from the APAS web site:
www.apas.gov.au
(b) three (3) 150 x 100 mm panels
prepared from the base metal, including
pretreatment, primer and topcoat of the
submission, illustrating the colour, gloss,
finish and typical dry film build for each
colour group submitted.
(c) one set of duplicate panels (300 x 150
mm) prepared as per AS/NZS 2728
Appendix C for each approval submission.
(d) A NATA endorsed test report for each
application confirming compliance with
clause 4 of this specification.
(e) A data sheet or other information
detailing compositional permutations,
performance properties and the correct
usage of the product. This information shall
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include full details of sheet profiles and
design and installation requirements,
treatment of cut edges and
recommendations for recoating and
damage touch-ups.
(f) A colour card (or selection of swatches)
demonstrating the range of colours
available.
(g) The applicator’s quality control test
schedule and limits for the product range.
3.4 Resubmission Procedure
The approval is valid for ten (10) years
(or for the life of the approved product,
whichever is shorter) but only for the
product submitted and the design and
installation recommended by the
applicator.
Following any significant changes to
the product (refer Appendix APAS
Document D183), a resubmission shall be
made in accordance with clause 3.5 of
APAS Document D192.
Continuation of product approval will
be dependent upon the extent and
relevance of the data provided in support of
the change.
4. Tests for Product Approval
4.1 General
For compliance to this specification,
tests results shall be reported showing
compliance to Table 1 of this specification.
4.2 Sunshine Durability
Panels for sunshine durability testing
shall be prepared in accordance with
AS/NZS 2728 Appendix C.
Product composition other than the top
coat ie. base metal, pretreatment/s and
primer, shall be uniform across the
Applicator Colour Range and shall be
nominated by the applicator on the basis of
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the (anticipated or known) highest volume
product.
Product interim approval may be
granted on the basis of known 4 year
exposure history of coatings based on
chemically similar pigmentation
composition.
Such data should be supplemented by
case history data and/or the results of
accelerated testing. For guidelines, refer
APAS Documents D192 Appendix 2 and
D183 clause 3.7.
After 10 years exposure in accordance
with AS/NZS 2728 Clause 2.8, the ratings
shall not exceed that indicated in Table 1 of
this specification. (Exposure at the
Australian and New Zealand sites
mentioned in AS/NZS 2728 shall take
place at 45° N).
In addition to the exposure sites
detailed in AS/NZS 2728 Appendix H,
acceptable sunshine sites are Florida and
Arizona, USA with exposure taking place at
45° S.
APAS. However, as a guide they are likely
to include, but not be limited to, coating
thickness and continuity, colour, gloss, T
bend, adhesion and hardness.
6. Ordering
Orders shall specify the name of the
applicator’s approved product “...complying
with APAS 0170 Prefinished/Prepainted
Exterior Sheet Metal Cladding", and shall
not include more than one approved
prefinished product on the one building
installation.
Alternatively, specify, as appropriate,
substrate material (eg. steel), metal coating
(eg. hot dip aluminium zinc), finish type (eg.
0170/5 Enhanced) and the colour and dry
film build required.

Note 4: the SSL Cape Schanck exposure site

mentioned in AS/NZS 2728 Appendix H and Table
I2, has been replaced by a site adjacent to the
CSIRO Flinders site also mentioned in the standard.

4.3 Corrosion Durability

Because of the wide variation in
expected performance of prefinished metal
coatings when tested for resistance to
corrosion, the applicator shall have tested
Corrosion Durability to AS/NZS 2728 table
2.4 all combinations of base metal,
pretreatment and primer in the product
range for which approval is being sought,
with a single, uniform colour and quality
topcoat, preferably of Standard finish.

5. Requirements for the Quality Control

of Production

The coating manufacturer’s and

applicator’s own quality control schedule of
tests and limits shall be allowed subject to
the approval of the Executive Officer -

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 Table 1

TEST AS/NZS REQUIREMENTS

1580
AS/NZS 2728 Section 2 Results for all tests shall be reported and shall comply with
all requirements except colour (2.2.2) and durability (2.8)
which shall be as modified below.

Dry Film Tests (Performed by the applicator in addition to tests nominated in AS/NZS
2728 section 2)
Evaluation of dry film properties shall be carried out on panels of the product prepared by the
applicator using the pretreatment/s and/or priming appropriate to the product.
Colour 601.1 Colour matching to an approved standard shall comply with;

Colour groups 1 & 19 rating 1 max

Colour groups 2-18 incl. rating 2 max
Colour group 20 rating 3 max.

Durability Maximum rating at 10 years

Whites & pastels Colours
(L-value ≥70) (L-value <70)
S E S E
Cracking 481.1.8 0 0 0 0
Blistering 481.1.9 0 0 0 0
Flaking & peeling 481.1.10 0 0 0 0
Chalking1 481.1.11 4 2 4 1
Colour Change2 481.1.12 <2 <1 <3 <1

S = Standard Finish; E = Enhanced Finish

Note 1 - ratings are according to Method B of 481.1.11

Note 2 - ratings are according to current ISO practice as specified in Table 1 of AS/NZS1580
481.1.12

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