Overview
EN ISO 23153-2:2020 is an international standard specifying the preparation of test specimens and the determination of properties for polyetheretherketone (PEEK) moulding and extrusion materials. Developed by CEN in collaboration with ISO technical committees, this document establishes consistent and reproducible procedures for handling, conditioning, and testing PEEK plastics to ensure reliable and comparable results. The standard focuses on injection-moulded specimens and provides detailed guidelines on material handling, conditioning requirements, specimen dimensions, and various test methods necessary to characterize PEEK materials.
Key Topics
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Scope and Purpose
The standard defines methods for preparing PEEK test specimens and specifies the testing protocols to determine mechanical, thermal, rheological, and physical properties of these materials. It includes guidance for conditioning both the raw material and test specimens to maintain consistency.
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Specimen Preparation
- Injection moulding is mandatory for specimen preparation, using controlled conditions to avoid processing inconsistencies.
- Material must be pre-dried to a moisture content of less than 0.05% following ISO 15512 to ensure optimal moulding and material integrity.
- Injection moulding parameters such as melt temperature (360 - 400°C), mould temperature (175 - 210°C), injection velocity, cooling time, and total cycle time are precisely specified to standardize specimen quality.
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Conditioning of Test Specimens
- Unfilled PEEK specimens are conditioned at 23°C ± 2°C for a minimum of 16 hours without relative humidity control.
- Specimens containing moisture-sensitive fillers or additives require conditioning at controlled humidity of 50 ± 10%.
This ensures that moisture or environmental factors do not influence test results.
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Property Determination
The standard lists essential properties and corresponding test methods adapted from ISO 10350-1 and related standards:
- Rheological Properties: Melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and moulding shrinkage (parallel and normal to flow).
- Mechanical Properties: Tensile modulus, yield stress and strain, stress and strain at break, flexural modulus and strength, Charpy impact strength (notched and unnotched).
- Thermal Properties: Glass transition temperature, melting and crystallization temperatures, thermal expansion coefficients.
Specific test standards referenced include ISO 1133-1 for melt flow rate, ISO 527 for tensile properties, ISO 178 for flexural testing, and ISO 179-1 for impact testing.
Applications
EN ISO 23153-2:2020 is essential for manufacturers, material scientists, and quality control professionals working with PEEK used in high-performance plastic components. Given PEEK's applications in aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and electrical engineering, standardized test methods facilitate:
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Material Specification and Verification
Ensuring that supplied PEEK materials meet required mechanical and thermal performance criteria.
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Research and Development
Supporting the development of new PEEK grades and composites by providing reliable data on material properties under defined conditions.
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Quality Assurance
Helping producers maintain consistency in packed product quality by adhering to repeatable specimen preparation and testing protocols.
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Regulatory Compliance
Enabling documentation and certification processes that reference internationally recognized test results for PEEK materials.
Related Standards
To fully implement EN ISO 23153-2:2020 and interpret test data accurately, familiarity with the following standards is recommended:
- ISO 23153-1: Designation system and basis for specifications of PEEK moulding and extrusion materials.
- ISO 1133-1: Methods for determining melt mass-flow and volume-flow rates of thermoplastics.
- ISO 294 Series: Injection moulding of thermoplastic material test specimens.
- ISO 527-1 and ISO 527-2: Tensile test methods for plastics.
- ISO 178: Flexural properties measurement.
- ISO 179-1: Charpy impact testing procedures.
- ISO 15512: Methods for moisture content determination in plastics.
- ISO 20753: Specification for plastics test specimens.
- IEC standards: For related electrical and thermal property assessments relevant to insulating applications of PEEK.
EN ISO 23153-2:2020 provides a rigorous framework for consistent preparation and testing of PEEK moulding and extrusion materials, supporting industries requiring precise characterization of this advanced thermoplastic polymer. The standard aids in improving product reliability, accelerating innovation, and harmonizing quality benchmarks internationally.