ISO 6186:2023
(Main)Plastics - Determination of pourability
Plastics - Determination of pourability
This document specifies two methods, A and B, for determining the pourability of plastics in powdered and granular form, by measuring the flow time through a funnel under specified conditions. From method A, information concerning the processability can be derived, whilst method B is especially designed for process control during manufacture. The methods specified are not necessarily applicable to all plastics in powdered and granular form.
Plastiques — Détermination de l'aptitude à l'écoulement
Le présent document spécifie deux méthodes (méthode A et méthode B) pour la détermination de l’aptitude à l’écoulement des plastiques en poudre et en granulés, par mesurage du temps d’écoulement à travers un entonnoir dans des conditions spécifiées. La méthode A permet d’obtenir des informations concernant l’aptitude à la mise en œuvre, alors que la méthode B est spécifiquement destinée au contrôle des procédés en cours de production. Les méthodes spécifiées ne s’appliquent pas nécessairement à la totalité des plastiques en poudre et en granulés.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 11-Jul-2023
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 61/SC 5 - Physical-chemical properties
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 61/SC 5 - Physical-chemical properties
- Current Stage
- 6060 - International Standard published
- Start Date
- 12-Jul-2023
- Due Date
- 22-Sep-2024
- Completion Date
- 12-Jul-2023
Relations
- Effective Date
- 06-Jun-2022
Overview
ISO 6186:2023 specifies laboratory methods for determining the pourability of plastics in powdered and granular form by measuring the flow time through a standard funnel under defined conditions. The standard defines two test methods - Method A (used to derive information about processability) and Method B (intended primarily for process control during manufacture). The methods measure the time a defined mass or volume takes to pass through a funnel and are not necessarily applicable to every powdered or granular plastic.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Principle: Measure flow time for a defined test portion through a funnel of specified geometry and surface finish.
- Funnel specifications:
- Metal funnel (e.g., stainless steel) with polished interior and surface roughness Ra ≈ 0.8 (ISO 21920-2).
- Standard outlet diameters: 10 mm, 15 mm, 25 mm (other diameters may be agreed and require height adjustment to keep the funnel angle).
- Funnel must be earthed to discharge electrostatic charges and fitted with an outlet closing device.
- Apparatus accuracy:
- Stopwatch or timing device accurate to 0.1 s.
- Balance accurate to 0.1 g.
- Conditioning: Test “as received” unless atmosphere affects results. If required, condition samples 24 h at 23 °C ±1 °C and 50 % ±5 % RH per ISO 291.
- Procedure:
- Start tests with d = 10 mm; if the material won’t flow, repeat with 15 mm or 25 mm.
- Method A: Pour 150 g ±1 g into funnel (avoid compaction), remove closing device and time until empty. Three determinations with fresh portions.
- Method B: Overfill funnel, level off, remove closing device and time until empty. Three determinations.
- If electrostatic charge prevents flow, repeat with an agreed antistatic agent and report its use.
- Results and reporting:
- Report mean flow time to the nearest whole second, with method and nozzle (e.g., t = 22 s A10 or B15).
- Describe flow behavior: flows too fast, flows uniformly, flows intermittently, or does not flow.
- Test report must include reference to ISO 6186:2023, material ID, moisture content (if relevant), antistatic agent details, method used, individual and mean results, deviations and test date.
Applications and users
ISO 6186:2023 is used for:
- Material suppliers and compounders to characterize powder/granule flow behavior and processability.
- Production quality control and process engineers for monitoring and controlling dosage, feeding, and handling of plastic powders/granules.
- R&D and testing laboratories troubleshooting flow problems, specifying feed system requirements, or comparing formulations (including masterbatches and recycled powders).
Keywords: ISO 6186:2023, pourability, plastics, powdered and granular, funnel flow test, method A, method B, process control, processability.
Related standards
- ISO 291 - Plastics: standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing.
- ISO 21920-2 - Surface texture: profile terms and parameters (used for funnel surface roughness).
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 6186:2023 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Plastics - Determination of pourability". This standard covers: This document specifies two methods, A and B, for determining the pourability of plastics in powdered and granular form, by measuring the flow time through a funnel under specified conditions. From method A, information concerning the processability can be derived, whilst method B is especially designed for process control during manufacture. The methods specified are not necessarily applicable to all plastics in powdered and granular form.
This document specifies two methods, A and B, for determining the pourability of plastics in powdered and granular form, by measuring the flow time through a funnel under specified conditions. From method A, information concerning the processability can be derived, whilst method B is especially designed for process control during manufacture. The methods specified are not necessarily applicable to all plastics in powdered and granular form.
ISO 6186:2023 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 6186:2023 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 6186:1998. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ISO 6186:2023 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)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 6186
Third edition
2023-07
Plastics — Determination of
pourability
Plastiques — Détermination de l'aptitude à l'écoulement
Reference number
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Apparatus . 1
6 Conditioning . 3
7 Procedure .3
7.1 General . 3
7.2 Method A . 3
7.3 Method B . 3
8 Expression of results . 4
9 Test report . 4
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use
of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed
patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received
notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are
cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
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Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 5, Physical-
chemical properties, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical
Committee CEN/TC 249, Plastics, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between
ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 6186:1998), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— Clause 2 and Clause 3 have been updated;
— Clause 5 “Apparatus” has been technically revised;
— former Clause 9 "Precision" has been deleted and subsequent clause has been renumbered;
— former Clause 10 "Test report" has been renumbered as the new Clause 9, and has been rearranged
and revised.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 6186:2023(E)
Plastics — Determination of pourability
1 Scope
This document specifies two methods, A and B, for determining the pourability of plastics in powdered
and granular form, by measuring the flow time through
...










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