1.1 This part of ISO 12086 establishes a system of designation for fluoropolymer materials that may be
used as the basis for specifications. It covers the homopolymers and various copolymers of fluoromonomers
used as dispersions and for moulding, extrusion and other specialized applications. This part of ISO 12086
describes the designation system and provides codes and tables of values for the designatory properties. The
designation system is applicable both to conventional thermoplastic fluoropolymers, processed by various
techniques, and those materials that are processed by the unique operations required for the
non-conventional thermoplastic polytetrafluoroethylene. The materials include both the fluorocarbon polymers
and the various other fluoropolymers as virgin polymers or processed for reuse or recycling. This part of
ISO 12086 also includes an extension of the designation system that provides a basis for specification of the
materials. This basis for specification may be used to prepare specifications related to well-defined
applications. As explained in Clause 5, these specifications will use data blocks 1 to 4 and, if necessary, data
block 5 as a complement, the last-mentioned data block containing the specific requirements in relation to the
application. Fluoroelastomers are specifically excluded.
1.2 Fluoropolymers are long-chain homopolymers and copolymers of fluoromonomers. Fluoropolymers can
be modified with small amounts of different fluoromonomers. In general, provided the polymer is not modified
with more than five percent by mass of modifying fluoromonomer(s), it can be classed as the base polymer.
PVDF is classed as the base polymer when it is modified during polymerization with up to two percent by
mass of additional fluoromonomers in the polymer structure. For PTFE, up to one percent by mass of a
modifying comonomer is the limit for the material to be classed as polytetrafluoroethylene. A general
discussion of members of the fluoropolymer family is included in Annex C. This part of ISO 12086 is
particularly concerned with, but is not limited to, the materials listed in 4.2. The accepted abbreviated term for
each material is included in 4.2.
1.3 The various types of fluoropolymer are differentiated from each other by a classification system based
on the fluoropolymer genus and appropriate levels of the designatory properties, along with information about
basic polymer parameters, intended application or method of processing, important properties, additives,
colorants, fillers and reinforcing materials. Designatory properties for each fluoropolymer are selected from the
general list in 5.4, and those properties to be designated for each fluoropolymer are listed in 5.7 and in
Annexes A and B.
1.4 Provision is made for designation of materials involved in reuse and recycling of the fluoropolymers
covered by this part of ISO 12086. A set of designatory properties is provided for reprocessed PTFE because
of its special requirements. For non-virgin conventional thermoplastic fluoropolymers, the same designatory
properties as used for virgin materials are used with inclusion of the code Z1, Z2 or Z3 in data block 1 as
specified in Table 1.
1.5 It is not intended to imply that materials having the same designation necessarily give the same
performance. The converse should also be emphasized, i.e. materials with different designations may be
suitable for use in the same application. This part of ISO 12086 does not provide engineering data,
performance data or processing conditions which may be required to specify materials for particular end-use
applications (see the discussion on use of data block 5 in Clauses 5 and 7). If such additional properties are
required, they can be determined in accordance with the test methods specified in ISO 12086-2, if suitable.
ISO 12086-1:2006 Referenced Document
ISO 1043-1 Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — Part 1: Basic polymers and their special characteristics AMENDMENT 1: New symbol ST for syndiotactic*, 2011-01-01 Update
ISO 1043-2 Plastics - Symbols and abbreviated terms - Part 2: Fillers and reinforcing materials*, 2011-11-01 Update
ISO 1133 Plastics - Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and the melt volume-flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastics; Technical Corrigendum 1
ISO 1183-1 Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 1: Immersion method, liquid pycnometer method and titration method*, 2019-02-28 Update
ISO 1183-2 Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 2: Density gradient column method*, 2019-02-28 Update
ISO 12000 Plastics/rubber - Polymer dispersions and rubber latices (natural and synthetic) - Definitions and review of test methods*, 2014-10-01 Update
ISO 12086-2 Plastics - Fluoropolymer dispersions and moulding and extrusion materials - Part 2: Preparation of test specimens and determination of properties; Technical Corrigendum 1*, 2006-08-01 Update
ISO 527-2 Plastics - Determination of tensile properties - Part 2: Test conditions for moulding and extrusion plastics*, 2012-02-01 Update
ISO 12086-1:2006 history
2006ISO 12086-1:2006/cor 1:2006 Plastics - Fluoropolymer dispersions and moulding and extrusion materials - Part 1: Designation system and basis for specifications; Technical Corrigendum 1
2006ISO 12086-1:2006 Plastics - Fluoropolymer dispersions and moulding and extrusion materials - Part 1: Designation system and basis for specifications
1995ISO 12086-1:1995 Plastics - Fluoropolymer dispersions and moulding and extrusion materials - Part 1: Designation system and basis for specifications