Page 15 - 20250602 EEA QM Edition 6.0

Quality Requirements Edition 6.0 European Enamel Association

2.5 ENAMELLING
2.0 DEFINITIONS
The process is porcelain and vitreous enamelling and consists of covering a metal
This section aims to clarify the definition of terms used in the field of enamelling. surface with one or more coatings of fusion bonded vitrified, inorganic material.
The content of this paragraph complies with the content of the norm EN ISO 19469-1:
Vitreous and porcelain enamels - Terminology - Part 1: Terms and definitions. 2.6
For more information regarding the terms used in enamelling, it is recommended to
consult the standard. The department carrying out the process is the vitreous or porcelain enamelling
department.

2.1 2.7
The general public experience confusion about the definition of “enamel”. The personnel involved in the process are often referred to as vitreous or porcelain
enamellers.
2.2 ENAMEL

Enamel should more properly be called “vitreous enamel” or “porcelain enamel” (USA 2.8
and Canada). In this document, we frequently refer to “porcelain and vitreous enamel” The coated metal is porcelain and vitreous enamelled e.g. porcelain and vitreous
to encompass the whole terminology. enamelled metal.

2.3
2.9
Porcelain and vitreous enamel is a mainly vitreous material, which is obtained by the An exception to these definitions is an enamel which is applied on glass and fused on
melting or fritting of a mixture of inorganic materials. This fritted material may be the glass surface.
applied to a metal substrate in either the form of a suspension in water or a dry powder,
in one or more layers, which will, when heated to a temperature sufficient for fusion to
take place and above 480°C, be bonded chemically and physically to the metal 2.10
substrate. Some organic paint finishes may be incorrectly described as “enamels”. This is an
unfortunate but widely operated custom which leads to confusion of the general public.
2.4 These finishes should be described as “enamel paints”.

The material produced by fritting is a porcelain and vitreous enamel frit. It is the result
of fusing a mixture of different inorganic raw materials, which constitute the vitrifiable 2.11
base of the enamel, and then quenching (granulated frit) or laminating (flake) the molten In some other languages there may be other forms of confusion. For example, the word
glassy mass from temperatures between 1150°C and 1350°C “enamelling” (as translated) may be used to mean the material, the process and the
finished product.

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