See more in depth article comparing ISO 1461 vs. A123.

If I galvanize to ASTM A123 or A153, will I meet the requirements of ISO 1461?

ISO 1461, Hot-dip galvanized coatings on fabricated iron and steel articles Specifications and test methods, is produced by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as an industry standard for galvanizing. The standard holds requirements for hot-dip galvanized steel comparable to those found in both ASTM A123, Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products, and ASTM A153, Standard Specification for Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel Hardware. North American specifiers and galvanizers typically use ASTM A123 and A153 for steel products and fasteners to be hot-dip galvanized. However, ISO 1461 which standardizes the European galvanizing industry both large structural pieces and centrifuged hardware is also sometimes used in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

If a customer wishes to use ISO 1461 on their project, galvanizers need to know what the requirements of the standard are and if they can meet them. As North American galvanizers, the question becomes, If I galvanize the steel to ASTM A123, will I meet the requirements of ISO 1461? The simple answer: Yes, if the requirements of ASTM A123 are met, then the requirements of ISO 1461 will more than likely also be met. However, galvanizers should be aware of some small differences between the two specifications if they are going to be using ISO 1461 frequently. These differences exist within the testing methods of the two standards and slight overlaps in coating thickness requirements.

ISO 1461 vs. A123 Guide

Regarding the minimum average thickness requirements, differences between the standards may be considered negligible and Galvanizers will most likely meet the requirements of ISO 1461 if they galvanized to A123. The table below helps point out these subtle differences. The table assumes steel is being galvanized according to the thicknesses in the left-hand column. This column uses the standard units of mm found in ISO 1461 but can be converted to imperial units. The table then gives the requirements of ISO 1461, and the thickness of steels whose A123 requirements overlap. Notice the ASTM requirements for coating thickness on wire never meet the ISO standards.

Despite the small differences between the standards, if steel is galvanized in accordance with ASTM A123 or A153, it will more than likely meet the requirements of ISO 1461.