ISO/TC 61/SC 6/WG 7 - Basic standards

This document specifies proper methods for measuring antiviral activity on plastics and other non-porous surfaces of antiviral-treated products against specified viruses. Due to the individual sensitivities, the results of one test virus might not be applicable for other viruses.

This document specifies methods for determining the deterioration of plastics due to the action of fungi and bacteria and soil microorganisms. The aim is not to determine the biodegradability of plastics or the deterioration of natural fibre composites. The type and extent of deterioration can be determined by a) visual examination and/or b) changes in mass and/or c) changes in other physical properties. The tests are applicable to all plastics that have an even surface and that can thus be easily cleaned. The exceptions are porous materials, such as plastic foams. This document uses the same test fungi as IEC 60068-2-10. The IEC method, which uses so-called "assembled specimens", calls for inoculation of the specimens with a spore suspension, incubation of the inoculated specimens and assessment of the fungal growth as well as any physical attack on the specimens. The volume of testing and the test strains used depend on the application envisaged for the plastic.

ISO 177:2016 specifies a method for the determination of the tendency of plasticizers to migrate from plastics in which they are contained into other materials or other plastics when they are brought into close contact. NOTE 1 The surfaces into which the migration can proceed can also consist of organic surface coatings, such as lacquers. This test is suitable a) for evaluating the tendency displayed by plastics, particularly in the form of films and sheets, to lose certain of their liquid constituents when they are brought into contact with materials that have an affinity for plasticizers, and b) for studying the tendency to migrate of plasticizers contained in a resin or a series of resins, in one or more concentrations. In case b), standard compounds are prepared on the basis of a well-characterized resin with well-defined ratios of plasticizer to resin. NOTE 2 When the absorbent sheets themselves contain a substance capable of migrating, simultaneous migrations can occur from the test specimens into the absorbent sheets and vice versa. The results may also be affected by the migration of other constituents of the plastic material (for example, oligomers) or by the loss of any volatile constituents other than plasticizers from the plastic material or the absorbent layer.

ISO 22196:2011 specifies a method of evaluating the antibacterial activity of antibacterial-treated plastics, and other non-porous, surfaces of products (including intermediate products). It is not intended to be used to evaluate the effects and propagation of bacteria on non-porous surfaces without antibacterial treatments. ISO 846 describes tests to evaluate the effects and propagation of bacteria on non-porous surfaces, which are different from those covered by ISO 22196. Secondary effects of antibacterial treatments, such as the prevention of biodeterioration and odour, are not covered by the standard, which is not intended to be used or referenced as a method to document or claim biodegradability of, for instance, plastics materials. Building materials are excluded, except where they are used in the same manner as treated articles. Antibacterial-treated textile products are excluded, even if the surfaces are coated or laminated (such products are covered by ISO 20743). Photocatalytic materials and products are excluded (such materials and products are covered by ISO 27447).

ISO 175:2010 specifies a method of exposing test specimens of plastic materials, free from all external restraint, to liquid chemicals, and methods for determining the changes in properties resulting from such immersion. It does not cover environmental stress cracking (ESC) which is dealt with by the various parts of ISO 22088. It only considers testing by immersion of the entire surface of the test specimen. It is applicable to all solid plastics that are available in the form of moulding or extrusion materials, plates, tubes, rods or sheets having a thickness greater than 0,1 mm. It is not applicable to cellular materials.

ISO 16869:2008 specifies a method for determining the effectiveness of fungistatic compounds in protecting susceptible ingredients like plasticizers, stabilizers, etc., in plastics formulations. The method demonstrates whether or not a plastic product is actively protected against fungal attack. The evaluation is by visual examination. The test is applicable to any articles made of plastic that are in the form of films or plates no thicker than 10 mm. In addition, porous materials such as plastic foams may be tested provided that they are in the above-mentioned form. A minimum diffusion of the fungicides that migrate out of the matrix is necessary with this procedure. In contrast to ISO 846, the test films are not sprayed with a fungal spore suspension but covered with a layer of test agar containing spores. It has been found that this leads to a better distribution of the spores as well as providing a good supply of water necessary for spore germination on plastic surfaces that are normally hydrophobic.

ISO 291:2008 sets out specifications relating to the conditioning and testing of all plastics and all types of test specimen at constant atmospheric conditions. Special atmospheres applicable to a particular test or material or simulating a particular climatic environment are not included in this International Standard.

ISO 62:2008 describes a procedure for determining the moisture absorption properties in the “through-the-thickness” direction of flat or curved-form solid plastics. It also describes procedures for determining the amount of water absorbed by plastic specimens of defined dimensions, when immersed in water or when subjected to humid air under controlled conditions. The “through-the-thickness” moisture diffusion coefficient can be determined for single-phase material by assuming Fickian diffusion behaviour with constant moisture absorption properties through the thickness of the test specimen. This model is valid for homogeneous materials and for reinforced polymer-matrix composites tested below their glass transition temperature. However, some two-phase matrices such as hardened epoxies may require a multi-phase absorption model which is not covered by this International Standard. The results obtained using the methods described in this International Standard are applicable to most plastics but are not applicable to cellular plastics, granulates or powders, which can show additional absorption and capillary effects. Plastics exposed to moisture under controlled conditions for defined periods of time provide relative comparisons between them.

ISO 483:2005 establishes guidelines for the construction and use of enclosures with volumes less than 200 dm3, in order to obtain atmospheres of constant relative humidity at given temperatures, using saturated aqueous salt solutions, glycerol/water solutions or sulfuric acid/water solutions, for conditioning and testing plastics. It specifies the procedures to be followed to maintain the relative humidities of the conditioning and testing atmospheres within the required tolerances, at the temperatures specified by particular International Standards. The procedures described are intended for conditioning small quantities of materials prior to test, and for such tests as may be carried out entirely within a small enclosure, e.g. electrical tests. The guidelines described do not apply to enclosures requiring frequent opening.

ISO 176:2005 specifies two empirical methods for the quantitative determination of the loss of mass from a plastic material under defined conditions of rime and temperature, in the presence of activated carbon. Method A -- The test specimens are in direct contact with the carbon; this method is particularly useful for materials that have to be tested at relatively low temperatures because they flow at higher temperatures. Method B -- The test specimens are placed in wire cages that prevent direct contact between the test specimens and the carbon. These methods apply, in particular, to the quantitative determination of the loss on heating of plasticizers from plasticized plastic materials, in which case it is generally assumed that no significant amounts of other volatile materials are present. They are empirical test methods, suitable only for a rather rapid comparison of the losses of plasticizers or, in general, of volatile compounds, from different plastics. ISO 176:2005 also applies to the comparison of different types of plasticizers; in this case standard compounds should be prepared, on the basis of a well characterized resin, with known ratios of resin to plasticizer.

Specifies the principles and procedures for evaluating the thermal endurance properties of plastics exposed to elevated temperature for long periods. The study of the thermal ageing is based solely on the change in certain properties resulting from a period of exposure to elevated temperature. The properties studied are always measured after the temperature has returned to ambient.

ISO 22196:2007 specifies a method of evaluating the antibacterial activity of antibacterial-treated plastic products (including intermediate products). It is not intended to be used to evaluate the effects and propagation of bacteria on plastics without antibacterial treatments. ISO 846 describes tests to evaluate the effects and propagation of bacteria on plastics, which are different from those covered by ISO 22196. Secondary effects of antibacterial treatments, such as the prevention of biodeterioration and odour, are not covered by the standard, which is not intended to be used or referenced as a method to document or claim biodegradability of plastics. The standard does not concern plastic building materials, such as PVC or composites, unless they act in the same way as treated articles.

ISO 291:2005 sets out specifications relating to the conditioning and testing of all plastics and all types of test specimen at constant atmospheric conditions. Special atmospheres applicable to a particular test or material or simulating a particular climatic environment are not included.

Establishes guidelines for construction and use of enclosures with volumes less than 200 cubicdecimetre in order to obtain atmospheres of constant relative humidity at given temperatures. It specifies the procedures to be followed to maintain the relative humidities of conditioning and testing atmospheres using saturated aqueous salt solutions, glycerol/water solutions or sulfuric acid/water solutions. The guidelines described do not apply to enclosures requiring frequent opening.

Specification of a method for the determination of the tendency of plasticisers to migrate from plastics into other materials or other plastics, when they are brought into close contact. A test specimen cut from a sheet or plate of the material to be tested is placed in close contact with two sheets capable of absorbing plasticisers. It is then subjected to heating under defined conditions. The loss in mass of the test specimen is a measure of the plasticiser migration.

Specification of two empiric methods for the quantitative determination of the loss in mass of test specimens in presence of activated carbon under given conditions of temperature and time. They are intended for the determination of plasticiser migration from plastics which are exposed to heat. In method A the test piece is in direct contact with activated carbon, while in method B the contact is prevented by a metallic fabric. These methods are preferably used for a fast comparation of plasticised thermoplastics.