ISO 21301-1:2019

Overview

ISO 21301-1:2019 establishes a clear designation system and basis for specifications for ethylene‑vinyl acetate (EVAC) moulding and extrusion thermoplastic materials. The standard covers EVAC copolymers containing about 3 % to 50 % vinyl acetate (mass fraction) and defines how to identify materials by key designatory properties - notably vinyl acetate content and melt mass‑flow rate (MFR) - together with information on fillers, additives, intended application and processing.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Designation structure: A standard pattern with an identity block (ISO number + symbol EVAC) and an individual‑item block divided into five data blocks (1–5) for precise material identification and optional specification details.
• Data block 1: EVAC identification and vinyl acetate content ranges (coded values cover >3 % up to ≤50 % VAC).
• Data block 2: Fillers/reinforcements and form plus nominal mass content (uses ISO 1043‑2 code‑letters; mixtures indicated with parentheses).
• Data block 3: Intended application or processing method and important properties/additives (coded letters for extrusion, moulding, stabilizers, slip agents, etc.).
• Data block 4: Designatory properties - primarily melt mass‑flow rate (MFR) represented by a test‑condition letter and a 3‑digit code. MFR test conditions (examples): D = 190 °C/2.16 kg, B = 150 °C/2.16 kg, Z = 125 °C/0.325 kg. Sixteen MFR ranges are codified.
• Data block 5: Optional additional requirements to convert a designation into a full specification (e.g., reference to national standards or product specifications).
• Testing and limits: Vinyl acetate content is determined per ISO 8985; further property testing and specimen preparation are covered in ISO 21301‑2.
• Important note: ISO 21301‑1 provides designation and classification only - it does not guarantee identical performance for same designations nor supply engineering/process data.

Practical applications

• Creating unambiguous material designations for product marking, material data sheets and procurement documents.
• Specifying raw EVAC grades for injection moulding, film extrusion, cable jacketing, tape and other applications.
• Communicating filler content, additives and MFR ranges between material suppliers, compounders and OEMs.
• Assisting quality control and conformity checks by linking a designation to required test methods (ISO 21301‑2, ISO 8985).

Who uses this standard

• Polymer producers and compounders, plastics processors, OEMs, product designers, testing laboratories and standards/specification writers involved with ethylene‑vinyl acetate (EVAC) materials.

Related standards

• ISO 21301‑2 (test specimen preparation and property determination)
• ISO 1043‑1 / ISO 1043‑2 (polymer and filler code‑letters)
• ISO 8985 (determination of vinyl acetate content)

Using ISO 21301‑1 improves traceability and clarity when specifying EVAC thermoplastic materials for manufacturing, procurement and regulatory compliance.