ISO 23559:2011

Overview

ISO 23559:2011 - Plastics - Film and sheeting - Guidance on the testing of thermoplastic films - provides a practical framework for selecting and characterizing thermoplastic films in single- or multi‑layer form. Intended as a general guide where no product‑specific standard exists, ISO 23559 outlines which test methods, test conditions and result formats are recommended for film characterization (mechanical, optical, barrier, surface, electrical and flammability properties). It does not standardize specimen preparation and makes clear that any existing International Standard for a specific film product takes precedence.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and definitions
  • Film defined as sheeting with nominal thickness ≤ 0.25 mm.
  • Applies to thermoplastic films produced by various processes (casting, blown film, calendering, stenter, double‑bubble, etc.).
• Polymer and thermal properties
  • Guidance to measure melt mass/volume flow (MFR/MVR), density, melting and glass transition temperatures, fluidity and viscosity number using the referenced material standards.
• Mechanical properties
  • Recommended tensile testing (ISO 527‑3, ASTM D882), tensile modulus, tear (ISO 6383‑1/2), tensile‑impact (ISO 8256), dart impact (ISO 7765‑1/2) and strain reporting conventions (see Table 2).
• Surface and handling properties
  • Coefficients of friction (ISO 8295), blocking resistance (ISO 11502), wetting tension (ISO 8296), water‑contact angle (ISO 15989).
• Optical and barrier properties
  • Gloss, luminous transmittance (ISO 13468), haze (ISO 14782); gas transmission (ISO 15105 series), water vapour transmission (ISO 15106 series).
• Electrical and flammability
  • Surface resistivity, dielectric dissipation, electric strength (IEC standards), oxygen index and burning behaviour (ISO 4589, ISO 9773).
• Test reporting and documentation
  • Recommended content for reports: film description, process and equipment, critical process variables (thickness, melt temperature, drawdown/blow‑up/orientation ratios, treatment), test conditions, deviations and polymer/film property data.

Applications and who uses ISO 23559

• Users
  • Film producers, converters, packaging manufacturers, R&D teams, quality control laboratories and buyers who need consistent guidance for film testing when product‑specific standards are lacking.
• Practical uses
  • Material selection, incoming inspection, product development, failure analysis, supplier‑buyer agreements and comparative benchmarking of thermoplastic films for packaging, medical films, industrial liners, electrical insulation and other applications.

Related standards

ISO 23559 references many normative standards that specify individual test methods and conditions, for example:

• ISO 527‑3 (tensile for films), ISO 1133‑1 (MFR/MVR), ISO 15105 (gas transmission), ISO 15106 (WVTR), ISO 7765 (dart impact), ISO 6383 (tear), ISO 8295/8296 (friction/wetting), plus relevant IEC and ASTM methods (e.g., ASTM F88, ASTM D882).

ISO 23559 is a guidance document: use it to select appropriate film tests and to format test reports, and always defer to a product‑specific International Standard when one exists.