This International Standard specifies two empirical methods for the quantitative determination of the mass loss of a plastic under specified time and temperature conditions in the presence of activated carbon. The methods are particularly used for the quantitative determination of plasticizer release from plasticizer-containing plastics upon heating, whereby it is generally assumed that no significant amounts of other volatile substances are present. These test methods are empirical and only suitable for a relatively quick comparison of the release of plasticizers or, in general, volatile compounds from different plastics. They can also be used to compare different types of plasticizers; In this case, standard molding compounds should be produced from a defined resin with known ratios of resin to plasticizer. NOTE These comparisons are only possible for test specimens of the same thickness. If it can be assumed that the moisture content of test specimens subjected to the test treatment is the same after reconditioning as after the original conditioning, the influence of moisture can be neglected. Two procedures are specified:
——Procedure A: The test specimens are in direct contact with the coal; the method is particularly suitable for materials that have to be tested at relatively low temperatures because they deform plastically at higher temperatures;
——Method B: The test specimens are placed in wire baskets that prevent direct contact between the test specimens and the activated carbon.
EN ISO 176:2005 Referenced Document
ISO 291:1997 Plastics - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
ISO 293:2004 Plastics - Compression moulding of test specimens of thermoplastic materials
EN ISO 176:2005 history
2005EN ISO 176:2005 Plastics - Determination of loss of plasticizers - Activated carbon method
1999EN ISO 176:1999 Plastics - Determination of Loss of Plasticizers - Activated Carbon Method ISO 176: 1976