EN 12576:1998
(Main)Plastics - Fibre reinforced composites - Preparation of compression moulded test plates of SMC, BMC and DMC
Plastics - Fibre reinforced composites - Preparation of compression moulded test plates of SMC, BMC and DMC
This european standard specifies the general principles and procedures for the preparation of compression moulded test plates from fibre reinforced thermo- setting moulding compounds such as Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC), Bulk Moulding Compound (BMC) and Dough Moulding Compound (DMC). The purpose of this European Standard is to specify the preparation of flat test plates from which test specimens can be machined (for applicable test purposes see informative Annex A). Test plates are being manufactured to give representative results by the different test procedures using specimens machined out of these test plates.
Kunststoffe - Faserverstärkte Verbundwerkstoffe - Herstellung von formgepreßten Prüfplatten aus SMC, BMC und DMC
Diese Europäische Norm legt die Grundlagen und Verfahren zur Herstellung von formgepreßten Prüfplatten aus faserverstärkten härbaren Formmassen, wie z.B. Harzmatten (SMC), fasrigen Premix-Massen (BMC) und teigigen Premix-Preßmassen (DMC), fest. Der Zweck dieser Europäischen Norm besteht darin, die Herstellung ebener Prüfplatten festzulegen, aus denen Probekörper maschinell hergestellt werden können (bezüglich anwendbarer Prüfverfahren siehe den informativen Anhang A).
Plastiques - Composites renforcés de fibres - Préparation de plaques d'essais de SMC, BMC et DMC pour moulage par compression
la présente norme européenne spécifie les principes et méthodes généraux rela- tifs à la préparation de plaques d'essai par moulage par compression, à partir de compositions de moulage thermodurcissables renforcées de fibres, tels que le Sheet Moulding Compounds (SMC), le Bulk Moulding Compounds (BMC) et le Dough Moulding Compounds (DMC). La présente norme européenne a pour objet de spécifier la fabrication de plaques d'essai planes à partir desquelles peuvent être usinées les éprouvettes (en ce qui concerne les essais applicables, voir l'annexe A informative).
Polimerni materiali – Kompoziti, ojačeni z vlakni – Priprava preskušancev iz SMC, BMC in DMC v obliki plošč s stiskanjem
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 19-May-1998
- Withdrawal Date
- 29-Nov-1998
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 249 - Plastics
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 249/SC 2/WG 3 - Prepregs - Composites with random reinforcements
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 21-Nov-2023
- Completion Date
- 21-Jan-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Overview
EN 12576:1998 (CEN) defines the general principles and procedures for preparing compression‑moulded test plates from fibre‑reinforced thermosetting moulding compounds such as Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC), Bulk Moulding Compound (BMC) and Dough Moulding Compound (DMC). The standard specifies how to manufacture flat test plates that can be machined into test specimens so that different mechanical and physical test methods deliver representative and comparable results. Informative Annex A of the standard lists applicable test purposes and guidance.
Key Topics
The standard focuses on procedural and quality aspects rather than numerical test methods. Important technical topics and requirements include:
- Material scope: applicability to fibre‑reinforced thermosetting moulding compounds (SMC, BMC, DMC).
- Preparation principles: general procedures for producing compression‑moulded flat plates suitable for machining into specimens.
- Process control: consistent handling and processing to ensure plate homogeneity and representative test outcomes (e.g., control of moulding and curing parameters).
- Plate quality: requirements for surface condition, internal integrity and dimensional stability so that machined specimens reflect bulk material properties.
- Specimen extraction: guidance on producing plates from which test specimens can be machined for subsequent mechanical, thermal or physical testing.
- Documentation and traceability: recording material batch, moulding conditions and conditioning to support reproducible test results.
- Informative references: Annex A identifies relevant test procedures that use specimens machined from these plates.
Applications
EN 12576:1998 is practical for organizations involved in composite materials evaluation and production:
- Materials testing laboratories preparing standard test specimens from SMC, BMC or DMC.
- Composite manufacturers seeking consistent in‑house test plates for quality control and R&D.
- Product development teams evaluating mechanical, thermal or environmental performance of fibre‑reinforced thermosets.
- Certification bodies and procurement requiring standardized specimen preparation to compare supplier data. Using EN 12576 helps ensure that test results are reproducible and comparable across labs and suppliers, improving material qualification and product reliability.
Related Standards (if applicable)
- EN 12576 complements standards that specify specific test methods (tensile, flexural, impact, thermal) by defining how test plates and specimens are prepared. Users should consult relevant mechanical and thermal testing standards for specimen dimensions and test procedures.
- As a CEN standard, EN 12576:1998 aligns with European standardization practices for fibre reinforced composites and compression moulding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12576:1998 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Plastics - Fibre reinforced composites - Preparation of compression moulded test plates of SMC, BMC and DMC". This standard covers: This european standard specifies the general principles and procedures for the preparation of compression moulded test plates from fibre reinforced thermo- setting moulding compounds such as Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC), Bulk Moulding Compound (BMC) and Dough Moulding Compound (DMC). The purpose of this European Standard is to specify the preparation of flat test plates from which test specimens can be machined (for applicable test purposes see informative Annex A). Test plates are being manufactured to give representative results by the different test procedures using specimens machined out of these test plates.
This european standard specifies the general principles and procedures for the preparation of compression moulded test plates from fibre reinforced thermo- setting moulding compounds such as Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC), Bulk Moulding Compound (BMC) and Dough Moulding Compound (DMC). The purpose of this European Standard is to specify the preparation of flat test plates from which test specimens can be machined (for applicable test purposes see informative Annex A). Test plates are being manufactured to give representative results by the different test procedures using specimens machined out of these test plates.
EN 12576:1998 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 83.120 - Reinforced plastics; 83.140.10 - Films and sheets. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 12576:1998 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 434:1994. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 12576:1998 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Kunststoffe - Faserverstärkte Verbundwerkstoffe - Herstellung von formgepreßten Prüfplatten aus SMC, BMC und DMCPlastiques - Composites renforcés de fibres - Préparation de plaques d'essais de SMC, BMC et DMC pour moulage par compressionPlastics - Fibre reinforced composites - Preparation of compression moulded test plates of SMC, BMC and DM
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