TS ISO 18115

TS ISO 18115 is a vocabulary standard for surface chemical analysis. Documents of this kind help laboratories, instrument users, and technical writers apply the same terms consistently across methods, reports, and specifications. In this field, words such as surface, substrate, film, depth profile, signal, and detection-related concepts can carry very specific meanings, so a controlled vocabulary is essential.

Why terminology matters in surface chemical analysis

Surface chemical analysis examines the chemical composition of the outermost region of a material. That region is often only a few atomic layers thick, yet it can control adhesion, corrosion resistance, catalytic behavior, contamination sensitivity, and thin-film performance. Because the subject is highly surface-specific, vocabulary needs to distinguish carefully between the true surface, underlying material, interfaces, coatings, and analytical depth.

According to the scope provided here, this standard defines the terms used in surface chemical analysis. In general technical context, a vocabulary standard supports clear communication across methods such as surface spectroscopy and ion-beam-based techniques, where the same term may otherwise be interpreted differently by different communities. It is especially useful when comparing results, preparing reports, or defining technical requirements.

• Covers terminology and definitions for surface chemical analysis.
• Supports consistent use of technical language in interpretation and reporting.
• Helps distinguish surface, coating, contamination, and depth-related concepts.
• This listing represents a withdrawn edition of TS ISO 18115.