IEC 60674-3-1:1998

IEC 60674-3-1 ®
Edition 1.1 2011-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Plastic films for electrical purposes –
Part 3: Specifications for individual materials – Sheet 1: Biaxially oriented
polypropylene (PP) films for capacitors

Films plastiques à usages électriques –
Partie 3: Spécifications pour matériaux particuliers – Feuille 1: Films de
polypropylène biorienté (PP) pour condensateurs

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IEC 60674-3-1 ®
Edition 1.1 2011-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Plastic films for electrical purposes –
Part 3: Specifications for individual materials – Sheet 1: Biaxially oriented
polypropylene (PP) films for capacitors

Films plastiques à usages électriques –
Partie 3: Spécifications pour matériaux particuliers – Feuille 1: Films de
polypropylène biorienté (PP) pour condensateurs

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX CD
ICS 29.035.20 ISBN 978-2-88912-796-2

– 2 – 60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3

INTRODUCTION . 5

1 General . 6

1.1 Scope . 6

1.2 Normative references . 6

1.3 Classification . 6

2 Designation . 7
3 General requirements . 7
4 Dimensions . 7
4.1 Thickness . 7
4.2 Width . 8
4.3 Length/diameter. 8
5 Properties . 8
5.1 Physical properties . 8
5.2 Electric strength (d.c. test) . 10
5.3 Electrical weak spots . 10
5.4 Thermal endurance . 11
5.5 Wetting tension (types 1b + 1c, 2b + 2c and 3b + 3c only) . 11
5.6 Liquid absorption . 11
5.7 Compatibility with impregnants . 12
5.8 Dissipation factor under impregnated conditions . 12
5.9 Space factor . 12
6 Roll characteristics . 12
6.1 Windability . 12
6.2 Joins . 13
6.3 Roll width (overall width) . 13
6.4 Core . 13
6.5 Labelling . 13

Table 1 – Physical properties . 9
Table 2 – Electric strength (d.c. test) for types 1, 2 and 3 . 10

Table 3 – Electrical weak spots for types 1, 2 and 3 . 11
Table 4 – Maximum number of joins within a roll (types 1, 2 and 3) . 13

60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011 – 3 –

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

__________
PLASTIC FILMS FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES –

Part 3: Specifications for individual materials –

Sheet 1: Biaxially oriented polypropylene (PP) films for capacitors

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
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patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This consolidated version of IEC 60674-3-1 consists of the first edition (1998)
[documents 15C/862/FDIS and 15C/952/RVD] and its amendment 1 (2011) [documents
15/596/CDV and 15/609/RVC]. It bears the edition number 1.1.
The technical content is therefore identical to the base edition and its amendment and
has been prepared for user convenience. A vertical line in the margin shows where the
base publication has been modified by amendment 1. Additions and deletions are
displayed in red, with deletions being struck through.

– 4 – 60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011

International Standard IEC 60674-3-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 15C: Specifications,
of IEC technical committee 15: Insulating materials.

The committee has decided that the contents of the base publication and its amendments will
remain unchanged until the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under

"http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the

publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The “colour inside” logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this publication using a colour printer.

60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011 – 5 –

INTRODUCTION
This International Standard is one of a series which deals with plastic films for electrical

purposes.
The series consists of three parts.

– Part 1: Definitions and general requirements (IEC 60674-1).

– Part 2: Methods of test (IEC 60674-2).

– Part 3: Specifications for individual materials (IEC 60674-3).

This standard contains one of the sheets comprising part 3, as follows:
Sheet 1: Biaxially oriented (PP) polypropylene films for capacitors.

– 6 – 60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011

PLASTIC FILMS FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSES –

Part 3: Specifications for individual materials –

Sheet 1: Biaxially oriented polypropylene (PP) films for capacitors

1 General
1.1 Scope
This sheet of IEC 60674-3 gives the requirements for biaxially oriented polypropylene film
having a smooth or rough surface, corona treated when required for vacuum metallization. The
films are for use as dielectric in capacitors.
Materials which conform to this specification meet established levels of performance. However,
the selection of a material by a user for a specific application should be based on the actual
requirements necessary for adequate performance in that application and not based on this
specification alone.
Safety warning: It is the responsibility of the user of the methods contained or referred to in this
document to ensure that they are used in a safe manner.
1.2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this sheet of IEC 60674-3. At the time of publication, the editions
indicated were valid. All normative documents are subject to revision, and parties to agreement
based on this sheet of IEC 60674-3 are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the
1)
most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below . Members of IEC and ISO
maintain registers of currently valid International Standards.
IEC 60674-1:1980, Specification for plastic films for electrical purposes – Part 1: Definitions
and general requirements
IEC 60674-2:1988, Specification for plastic films for electrical purposes – Part 2: Methods of
test
IEC 61074:1991, Determination of heats and temperatures of melting and crystallization of
electrically insulating materials by differential scanning calorimetry

ISO 534:1988, Paper and board – Determination of thickness and apparent bulk density or
apparent sheet density
ISO 11357-3, Plastics – Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) – Part 3:Determination of
temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization
1.3 Classification
The polypropylene film shall be of the following types:
Type 1: having smooth surfaces (space factor <5 %, see 5.9);
Type 1a: not corona treated;
___________
1)
In case of dispute, the referenced edition is applicable.

60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011 – 7 –

Type 1b: one side pre-treated to facilitate the vacuum deposition of metal;

Type 1c: both sides pre-treated;

Type 2: having at least one rough surface (space factor ≥5 %, voir 5.9);

Type 2a: not corona treated;
Type 2b: one side pre-treated to facilitate the vacuum deposition of metal;

Type 2c: both sides pre-treated.

Type 3: having high electric strength for thin film (film thickness ≤ 3,5 µm);

Type 3a: not corona treated;
Type 3b: one side pre-treated to facilitate the vacuum deposition of metal;
Type 3c: both sides pre-treated.
2 Designation
The plastic film shall be identified by the following designation:
Designation of the film - IEC 60674-3-1 - PP - type - thickness in micrometres - width in
millimetres - length in metres.
EXAMPLE
Polypropylene film - IEC 60674-3-1 - PP - 1a - 6 - 100 - 3000.
3 General requirements
The materials shall be made essentially from isotactic type polypropylene homopolymer and
shall conform to the requirements laid down in IEC 60674-1.
4 Dimensions
4.1 Thickness
The film thickness shall be measured in accordance with the requirements of 3.3 of IEC 60674-2.
This is in general the gravimetric thickness, but for type 2 distinction shall be made between
thickness determined by weighing (t = gravimetric thickness) and thickness measured by
g
micrometer method (t = bulking thickness).
b
Gravimetric thickness shall be measured in accordance with the requirements of 3.3 of
IEC 60674-2.
Bulking (micrometric) thickness shall be measured in accordance with ISO 534, except that the
four test pieces are initially made up of 12 film layers, the layers being cut together using a
suitable template (preferably 250 mm × 200 mm, the 200 mm dimension being in the machine
direction) from a blanket of film about 0,5 mm thick taken from the outer surface of the roll
being sampled. Discard the first and last layer of each pack or test piece just prior to imposing
the pack between the open pressure faces of the micrometer.

– 8 – 60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011

There are no requirements for thickness in this standard but preferred gravimetric thicknesses
are as follows:
Type 1: 4,0; 5,0; 6,0; 7,0; 8,0; 10,0; 12,0; 15,0; 18,0; 20,0 and 25 µm.

Type 2: 7,4; 9,0; 10,1; 11,0; 12,0; 12,7; 13,6; 14,4; 15,2; 16,2 and 17,8 µm.

Type 3: 2,5; 2,8; 3,0 and 3,5 µm.

The thickness tolerance shall comply with the requirements of IEC 60674-1 unless otherwise

specified.
4.2 Width
The film width shall be measured in accordance with the requirements of clause 5 of
IEC 60674-2.
Preferred widths cannot be given on account of the great variety of applications and different
requirements throughout the capacitor industry.
The tolerance on the width shall comply with the requirements of 4.2 of IEC 60674-1.
4.3 Length/diameter
There are no requirements in this standard for length or diameters of rolls. These should be
subject to purchase contract.
5 Properties
5.1 Physical properties
See table 1.
60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011 – 9 –

Table 1 – Physical properties
Property Test method Unit Requirement Remarks

Density IEC 60674-2, Mg/m³ 0,91 ± 0,01 This method is only suitable for film
clause 4, method D
thickness >12 µm. The recommended
mixture is methanol/ethylene glycol

Melting point IEC 61074 °C 165 to 175 DSC method

ISO 11357-3
Tensile strength IEC 60674-2, MPa Minimum Specimen width (15 ± 3) mm,

(either direction) clause 10 Type 1: 120 rate of extension (100 ± 2) mm/min,

Type 2: 90 reference lines with the initial grip

separation (100 ± 2) mm apart
Elongation at break % Minimum
(either direction) Type 1: 40
Type 2: 30
Type 3:30
Surface resistivity IEC 60674-2,
Ω ≥10
1)
clause 14
Volume resistivity IEC 60674-2, Ωm >10 The test voltages are (100 ± 10) V
1)
clause 15
for thicknesses >10 µm and (10 ± 1) V
for thicknesses ≤10 µm
Dissipation factor IEC 60674-2,  Use non-contacting electrodes or
at 23 °C and subclause 16.1 or evaporated metal electrodes
–4
48 Hz – 62 Hz: 16.2 (subclause 16.1)
≤3 × 10
–4
1 kHz:
≤3 × 10
Permittivity IEC 60674-2, 2,2 ± 0,1 Use non-contacting electrodes or
subclause 16.1 evaporated metal electrodes
(subclause 16.1)
Dimensional change IEC 60674-2,   Shrinkage shall be agreed between buyer
for shrinkage: clause 23 and seller
– Machine direction %
– Transverse %
direction
NOTE Although the potential effects of certain properties such as crystallinity, orientation and isotactic/ atactic
content on the performance of the film are recognized, no recommendations regarding the determination of these
parameters have been made, particularly as no suitable test methods are available in IEC 60674-2.
1)
Measurement conditions: (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity after at least 24 h exposure.

– 10 – 60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011

5.2 Electric strength (d.c. test)

Electric strength shall be measured according to 18.2 of IEC 60674-2. The central value shall

be not less than the value given in table 2. The winding tension shall 2,5 N/mm² ± 0,5 N/mm².

Table 2 – Electric strength (d.c. test) for types 1, 2 and 3

Nominal film thickness Electric strength Not more than 1 of 21

(central value) results shall be below

µm V/µm V/µm
4 120 40
5 150 60
6 190 80
7 and 7,4 230 100
8 250 120
9 270 145
10 and 10,1 290 165
11 300 175
12 310 185
12,7 315 195
>12,7 to 25 320 200
Nominal film Type Electric strength Not more than 1 of 21
thickness (central value) results shall be below
V/µm V/µm
µm
23 °C 105 °C 23 °C 105 °C
2,5 250 125 150 75
2,8 250 125 150 75
3,0 250 125 150 75
3,5 250 125 150 75
4 120 - 40 -
5 150 - 60 -
6 190 - 80 -
7 and 7,4 230 - 100 -
8 1 250 - 120 -
9 and 270 - 145 -
10 and 10,1 2 290 - 165 -
11 300 - 175 -
12 310 - 185 -
12,7 315 - 195 -
320 - 200 -
>12,7 to 25
5.3 Electrical weak spots
Electrical weak spots shall be measured according to 19.3 of IEC 60674-2 with a test voltage of
150 V/µm based on the nominal thickness of the film.

60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011 – 11 –

Electrical weak spots shall be measured according to 19.3 of IEC 60674-2 with a test voltage of

150 V/µm for types 1 and 2, and 250 V/µm for type 3, based on the nominal thickness of the film.

The number of faults counted shall not exceed the numbers given in table 3. A minimum

surface area of 5 m² is to be tested.

Table 3 – Electrical weak spots for types 1, 2 and 3

Nominal thickness Fault count/m²

µm
4 2,6
5 2,3
6 1,8
7 and 7,4 1,7
8 1,5
9 1,3
10 and 10,1 1,2
11 1,1
1,0
≥12
Nominal thickness
Type
Fault count/m²
µm
2,5 2,6
2,8 2,6
3,0 2,6
3,5 2,6
4 2,6
5 2,3
6 1,8
7 and 7,4 1 1,7
8 1,5
and
9 2 1,3
10 and 10,1 1,2
11 1,1
1,0
≥12
5.4 Thermal endurance
There is no requirement in this standard for thermal endurance.
5.5 Wetting tension (types 1b + 1c, 2b + 2c and 3b + 3c only)
When tested in accordance with clause 9 of IEC 60674-2, the wetting tension of the tested
–1
surface shall not be less than 35 mN⋅m .
5.6 Liquid absorption
For satisfactory construction of impregnated capacitors the absorption of the impregnant by the
film may need to be controlled within certain limits. If required, the method of measurement,

– 12 – 60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011

the time and the temperature used and the absorption limits shall be agreed between supplier

1)
and purchaser .
The preferred method shall conform with clause 31 of IEC 60674-2.

5.7 Compatibility with impregnants

The compatibility of the film with selected dielectric fluids shall be determined using a method

agreed upon between the supplier and the purchaser. This method may, for example, be based

1)
on swelling or solubility of the film in the fluid, or on contamination of the fluid or the film .

5.8 Dissipation factor under impregnated conditions
The impregnants and the methods of testing used throughout the capacitor industry vary widely
and many of the materials and procedures are proprietary. Where the dissipation factor of the
film under impregnated conditions must be to an agreed standard, the limiting values and the
1)
method of measurement should be agreed between supplier and purchaser .
5.9 Space factor
Space factor: Caused by surface roughness, space factor is the percentage increase in bulking
(micrometric) thickness over gravimetric thickness.
There are no requirements for space factor in this standard but the preferred space factor
value is SF = (10 ± 3) %.
Space factor is calculated using the following formula:
t − t
b g
SF = × 100 (%)
t
g
where
t is the bulking thickness in micrometres;
b
t is the gravimetric thickness in micrometres.

g
6 Roll characteristics
6.1 Windability
The windability shall be measured in accordance with the requirements of clause 6 of
IEC 60674-2.
6.1.1 For reels of width less than 150 mm, method A shall be used.
Bias/camber <10 mm
Sag (tension 5 MN/m²) <2 mm
6.1.2 For reels of width 150 mm and above, method B shall be used.
Bias/camber <10 mm
Sag (tension 5 MN/m²) <2 mm
___________
1)
In view of the wide variety of impregnants available today and under development for capacitor application, no
specific tests and/or limits can be given in this standard for liquid absorption (5.6), compatibility with dielectric
fluids (5.7) and dissipation factor under impregnated conditions (5.8).

60674-3-1  IEC:1998+A1:2011 – 13 –

The extension required to achieve bias/camber and sag limit shall be not more than 0
...