Overview
EN ISO 16012:2015 - Plastics: Determination of linear dimensions of test specimens specifies the measuring equipment and procedures for determining linear dimensions (thickness, width, length) of rigid plastics test specimens. It applies principally to specimens described in ISO 20753 and to specimen thicknesses typically in the range 0.4 mm ≤ h ≤ 6.4 mm. The standard covers instrument selection, measurement procedure, calibration, accuracy requirements and reporting.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & conditioning
- Measurements are performed on clean, conditioned specimens (standard atmospheres per ISO 291, preferred climate 23/50 class 2).
- Measuring equipment
- Micrometers (conform to ISO 3611). Spring- or preset-load micrometers should apply between 5 N and 15 N where applicable.
- Vernier callipers (conform to ISO 13385-1); digital callipers allowed when compliant.
- Dead-weight dial-gauge micrometers and electronic digital indicator gauges (conform to ISO 463, ISO 9493, ISO 13102). Preferred measuring forces for these instruments are 0.15 N to 3 N.
- Non-contact devices (optical/laser) are permitted if they meet the same error/accuracy requirements as mechanical devices.
- Instrument features and metrology
- Contact surfaces (presser foot and anvil) should be parallel to within 5 µm.
- Dial indicators should be essentially friction-free and repeatable to within ±10 µm; graduations of 2.5 µm or better are recommended.
- Presser foot must move perpendicular to anvil; frames must be rigid to limit deflection under load.
- Measurement procedure
- Requirements on number and location of measurement points, calibration of equipment, and method-specific measurement steps for micrometers, callipers, dead-weight gauges and non-contact devices.
- Reporting requirements specify the information to include in a test report.
Applications and who uses it
- Practical for materials testing laboratories, quality control in plastics manufacturing, R&D, and metrology services.
- Common industries: automotive, medical devices, packaging, consumer goods and any sector where accurate dimensional verification of rigid plastic specimens is required.
- Typical users: test engineers, QA/QC technicians, laboratory managers, and standards/technical teams validating specimen dimensions before mechanical testing.
Related standards
EN ISO 16012:2015 is essential when you need repeatable, comparable linear-dimension measurements of rigid plastic specimens and to ensure compliance with internationally harmonized measurement practice.