ISO 20029-1:2017

Overview

ISO 20029-1:2017 defines a standardized designation system for thermoplastic polyester/ester and polyether/ester elastomers used for moulding and extrusion. It provides a structured way to identify polymer chemistry, formulation features (fillers, flame retardants, recyclate), intended application/processing and key designatory properties (hardness, melting temperature, tensile/flexural modulus). ISO 20029-1 is a basis for material specifications but does not supply engineering performance data or processing conditions - those are covered by ISO 20029-2 test methods where needed.

Keywords: ISO 20029-1, thermoplastic polyester/ester elastomers, polyether/ester elastomers, designation system, thermoplastic elastomers, moulding and extrusion, plastics standard.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Designation structure: An identity block composed of an international standard number and an individual-item block subdivided into five data blocks (Data blocks 1–5). Data blocks are separated by commas; unused blocks are left empty (,,).
• Data block 1 - Polymer ID: Uses ISO 18064 abbreviated terms (e.g., TPC) plus symbols indicating soft-segment chemistry (e.g., polyester, polyether).
• Data block 2 - Fillers/reinforcements & flame retardants: Uses code letters for material type and form, plus numeric codes for nominal content; includes notation for flame retardant types per ISO 1043-4 and optional recyclate content.
• Data block 3 - Application/processing & properties/additives: Position-based codes denote intended use (extrusion, moulding, cable coating, etc.) and secondary info (colour, stabilizers, impact modification).
• Data block 4 - Designatory properties: Encodes ranges for hardness (Shore D ranges represented by two-digit codes), melting temperature (two-digit codes), and tensile/flexural modulus (three-digit codes). Property values are determined according to ISO 20029-2.
• Data block 5 - Specification details: Optional block to record additional requirements for procurement/specification.
• Important limitations: Identical designations do not guarantee identical performance; additional testing and specification are required where performance data are necessary.

Applications and Practical Use

• Standardizes material labeling and part marking for manufacturers and compounders of thermoplastic polyester/ester and polyether/ester elastomers.
• Helps material suppliers, product designers, quality engineers and procurement teams communicate composition, key properties and intended processing routes concisely.
• Useful in regulatory documentation, material data sheets, traceability and supply-chain specifications for moulding and extrusion applications.
• Assists testing laboratories and specifiers to determine which properties need laboratory verification (via ISO 20029-2).

Who Should Use This Standard

• Polymer compounders and resin manufacturers
• Product designers and materials engineers
• Tooling and extrusion/moulding processors
• Quality assurance, purchasing and compliance teams
• Test laboratories preparing specimens and reporting designatory properties

Related Standards

• ISO 20029-2 - Test specimen preparation and property determination (complements Part 1)
• ISO 18064 - Thermoplastic elastomers nomenclature
• ISO 1043-4 - Symbols for flame retardants
• ISO 11469 - Generic marking of plastics
• Replaces/succeeds elements of ISO 14910-1:2013 (phasing out period applied)

Use ISO 20029-1 to create clear, consistent material designations that improve communication across design, manufacturing and procurement for thermoplastic elastomer products.