ISO 15023-1:2017

Overview - ISO 15023-1:2017 (PVAL designation system)

ISO 15023-1:2017 establishes a standardized designation system for poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAL) materials to be used as the basis for specifications. The document defines how to identify PVAL thermoplastics (powder, granules, pellets, unmodified or modified) using a five-block code that records material type, fillers, intended application, designatory properties and optional specification details. It applies to PVAL materials with a degree of hydrolysis ≥ 70 mol%. The standard does not provide engineering performance or processing parameters - those are determined via test methods (see ISO 15023-2).

Keywords: ISO 15023-1:2017, poly(vinyl alcohol), PVAL, designation system, degree of hydrolysis, viscosity, thermoplastics.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Designation structure: Identity block (ISO number + PVAL) plus an individual-item block subdivided into Data blocks 1–5:
  • Data block 1: Abbreviated polymer ID - PVAL (per ISO 1043-1).
  • Data block 2: Fillers/reinforcements (type, form and nominal mass content).
  • Data block 3: Intended application / processing and important properties/additives/colour.
  • Data block 4: Designatory properties - (a) degree of hydrolysis and (b) viscosity of a 4 % aqueous solution, each encoded by predefined numeric ranges.
  • Data block 5: Optional specification information to convert a designation into a formal material specification.
• Degree of hydrolysis: Encoded into 13 ranges (three‑figure codes) covering ≥70 mol% to ≥99–100 mol%.
• Viscosity: Encoded into 24 ranges (two- or three-figure codes) for the viscosity of a 4 % aqueous solution (mPa·s). Example: code 26 corresponds to >24 ≤28 mPa·s.
• Test methods: Quantitative values (hydrolysis, viscosity) are determined per ISO 15023-2 (under preparation at publication).
• Notation rules: Data blocks separated by commas; unused blocks indicated by double commas. Part marking uses the first two blocks.

Example designation (from the standard): Thermoplastics ISO 15023-1-PVAL,SD05,ABG,099-26

Applications and who uses this standard

• Material suppliers and manufacturers - to label and communicate PVAL grades clearly and consistently.
• Specification writers and procurement teams - to define material requirements and streamline purchasing.
• Quality engineers and testing labs - to correlate coded designations with required test methods (ISO 15023-2).
• OEMs and compounders - for material selection, traceability and compatibility checks during design and production. Practical uses include product marking, bill of materials, compliance documentation, and establishing baseline specifications prior to adding performance/processing requirements.

Related standards

• ISO 15023-2 (Determination of properties - test methods)
• ISO 1043-1 (Symbols and abbreviated terms - basic polymers)
• ISO 1043-2 (Fillers and reinforcing materials)
• ISO 472 (Plastics - Vocabulary)

This concise, coded designation system improves clarity in PVAL material specification, procurement and quality control while supporting traceability across supply chains.