ISO 19069-1:2015

Overview

ISO 19069-1:2015 specifies a standardized designation system for polypropylene (PP) moulding and extrusion materials. The standard defines how PP materials (homopolymers, certain copolymers and blends) are identified for use as the basis of material specifications. It is intended to make material identification consistent across suppliers, converters and purchasers without providing engineering or processing data. ISO 19069-1 covers materials in normal commercial forms (powder, granules, pellets) and does not apply to propylene‑based rubber.

Key topics and requirements

• Designation structure: A hierarchical pattern with an identity block and an individual‑item block subdivided into five data blocks (polymer ID, fillers/reinforcements, intended application/properties, designatory properties, optional additional requirements).
• Designatory properties (data block 4): Materials are classified by three core properties:
  • Tensile modulus of elasticity (2‑digit code ranges)
  • Notched Charpy impact strength (2‑digit code ranges)
  • Melt mass‑flow rate (MFR) (3‑digit code ranges), measured per ISO 1133 at 230 °C with a 2.16 kg load
• Material identification (data block 1): Uses the symbol PP (ISO 1043‑1) plus a code letter for polymer type (e.g., H = homopolymer, R = random copolymer, B = impact polymer).
• Fillers/reinforcements and form (data block 2): Uses code letters to indicate type (glass, talc, calcium carbonate, etc.), physical form (fibres, powder, beads) and nominal mass content.
• Application and supplementary info (data block 3): Codes for processing method or end use (injection moulding, film extrusion, pipes) and for additives, colour and functional properties.
• Optional specification block (data block 5): Allows transformation of a designation into a formal specification by referencing additional requirements or national standards.

Example designation: (Thermoplastics) ISO 19069‑1 - PP‑H,,FN,16‑02‑045 - a PP homopolymer for film extrusion, natural, modulus code 16, impact code 02, MFR code 045.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 19069-1 is useful for:

• Material suppliers and compounders to label and catalogue PP grades consistently
• Converters and moulders to select appropriate PP grades for injection, extrusion, film, cable or other processes
• OEMs and spec writers to reference PP types in purchasing and quality documents
• Test laboratories to relate measured properties to standardized designation ranges
• Procurement and regulatory teams for clear communication of material identity across international supply chains

The designation system simplifies specification writing and commercial communication but does not replace application‑specific performance testing.

Related standards

• ISO 19069‑2 (test specimen preparation and determination of properties)
• ISO 1133 (MFR/MVR test method)
• ISO 1043‑1 (polymer symbols)
• ISO 1873‑2 (property determination for PP; referenced)