ISO 1268-10:2005

Overview

ISO 1268-10:2005 - "Fibre‑reinforced plastics - Methods of producing test plates - Part 10: Injection moulding of BMC and other long‑fibre moulding compounds" specifies general principles for injection moulding test specimens from bulk moulding compound (BMC) and similar long‑fibre moulding compounds. The part promotes uniform reporting of moulding conditions, defines recommended ISO mould layouts for multipurpose test specimens and supports reproducible preparation of specimens for material property testing. Where applicable, the guidance may also be used for sheet moulding compound (SMC) formulated for injection moulding.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Purpose: Establish uniform practice in describing and reporting the main parameters of the injection‑moulding process so test specimens yield comparable results.
• Mould design (Type A ISO mould):
  • Two‑cavity mould recommended for multipurpose specimens (ISO 3167).
  • Sprue diameter (nozzle side): (4.5 ± 0.5) mm.
  • Runner dimensions: width (6.25 ± 0.25) mm, height (5.25 ± 0.25) mm; runner floor‑to‑wall radius 1 mm.
  • Gate: one‑end gated, height ≥ two‑thirds of cavity height; gate length (3.5 ± 0.5) mm; all radii ≥ 1 mm.
  • Draft angles: runners ≈ (13 ± 3)°; cavity ≤ 1° (≤ 2° in tensile‑shoulder areas).
• Process parameters and terminology: Defines and standardizes terms such as mould temperature, temperature of material, pressure on material, injection time (tI), hold pressure (pH), hold time (tH), cure time (tCR), cycle time (tT), injection velocity, shot capacity, moulding volume and locking force.
• Specimen preparation: Multipurpose test specimen geometry per ISO 3167; recommended cutting of 80 mm × 10 mm × 4 mm tensile bars from the central section for mechanical tests.
• Reporting: Requires clear reporting of moulding conditions (temperatures, pressures, times, mould geometry) and refers to material‑specific standards for final reproducible settings.

Applications and users

• Materials testing laboratories producing comparable mechanical and thermal data for long‑fibre thermoset compounds.
• R&D and quality control teams in composite manufacturing and automotive, electrical, and consumer applications using BMC or SMC.
• Standardization bodies and dispute resolution where reproducible specimen preparation and consistent reporting are required.
• Engineers specifying mould design and processing parameters to control fibre orientation, curing and residual stresses in test specimens.

Related standards

• ISO 1268‑1 (general conditions), ISO 1268‑11 (small plates)
• ISO 3167 (multipurpose test specimens)
• ISO 10350‑2, ISO 11403 series (data acquisition/presentation)
• ISO 10724‑1/2 (injection moulding of thermosetting PMCs)

Keywords: ISO 1268-10:2005, injection moulding, BMC, long‑fibre moulding compound, ISO mould, multipurpose test specimens, mould design, reproducible moulding conditions.