ISO 5677:2023

Overview

ISO 5677:2023 sets the international standard for testing and characterization of mechanically recycled polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) in granular or pellet form. This standard is essential for ensuring consistent quality and performance of recycled PP and PE materials used in various plastics processing methods such as injection moulding, blow moulding, and extrusion techniques. By defining clear test methods and quality criteria, ISO 5677:2023 helps plastics processors and recyclers agree on product specifications, facilitating the use of recycled materials in industrial applications.

Key Topics

The standard covers comprehensive testing methods to assess critical material properties of mechanically recycled PP (REC) and PE (REC). Important characteristics and corresponding test methods include:

• Melting Point by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): Identifies type and crystallinity.
• Density Measurement: Assesses material type variant using liquid pycnometer method per ISO 1183-1.
• Melt-Mass Flow Rate (MFR): Evaluates processability following ISO 1133-1 standards.
• Ash Content: Measures fillers and inorganic residues impacting extrusion processes, per ISO 3451-1.
• Tensile Properties: Includes tensile stress at yield, tensile modulus, and strain at break, tested as per ISO 527 series.
• Charpy Impact Strength: Assesses material impact resistance according to ISO 179-1.
• Water Content: Evaluated under ISO 15512 to determine moisture levels in recyclates.
• Classification of Recyclates: Utilizes DIN SPEC 91446 for transparent identification and trading.
• Additional Tests: May include oxidation induction time (OIT), total luminous transmittance, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, contaminant content, and filtration level relevant for extrusion quality.

Applications

ISO 5677:2023 is highly practical for:

• Plastics Processors: To select mechanically recycled PP and PE materials that meet their processing and product specifications confidently.
• Recyclers: To provide standardized test reports ensuring material quality and facilitating market acceptance.
• Manufacturing Techniques: The standard supports the use of recycled PP and PE in injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion processes including film, sheet, pipe, monofilament, strapping, tape, and yarn production.
• Quality Assurance: Supports documentation and traceability for recyclate batches, enhancing consistency and compliance with buyer agreements.

This standard excludes mixtures of PP and PE recyclates and does not address regulatory requirements related to health, food safety, or environmental impact, allowing it to focus solely on material characterization for processing suitability.

Related Standards

ISO 5677:2023 references and aligns with several other international standards to ensure comprehensive and harmonized testing:

• ISO 1133-1: Melt mass-flow rate determination.
• ISO 1183-1: Density measurement methodologies.
• ISO 3451-1: Ash content determination.
• ISO 527 series: Methods for tensile property evaluation.
• ISO 179-1: Charpy impact test methods.
• ISO 15512: Water content determination.
• DIN SPEC 91446: Classification system for recycled plastics by data quality levels.
• ISO 11357 series: Differential scanning calorimetry methods.
• CEN/TS 17627: Contaminant content testing by melt filtration.
• ISO 10640: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for aging assessment.

For quality management, ISO 9001 certification is recommended to ensure consistent batch-to-batch quality control.

By standardizing the testing and reporting of recycled polypropylene and polyethylene, ISO 5677:2023 promotes sustainability and circular economy goals in the plastics industry, enabling broader use of recyclates in manufacturing with reliable performance data. This leads to better material selection, process optimization, and product quality, driving the adoption of recycled plastics and supporting global environmental initiatives.