ISO 7823-1:2003

Overview

ISO 7823-1:2003 defines requirements for non‑modified poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cast sheets (acrylic cast plates) intended for general‑purpose use. It covers sheets that may be colourless or coloured, transparent, translucent or opaque, and applies to thicknesses from 1.5 mm to 25 mm. The standard specifies composition limits, appearance and dimensional tolerances, required mechanical, thermal and optical characteristics, and accepted test methods.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and composition
  • Non‑modified cast PMMA based on MMA homopolymers or copolymers; plasticizing ingredients, other monomers or crosslinkers generally kept below ~3% mass fraction. Additives (colorants, UV absorbers) permitted subject to legislation.
• Appearance
  • Smooth surface with no surface defects or inclusions larger than 3 mm.
  • Defect classification: negligible (<1 mm), acceptable (1–3 mm). Limits on defect distribution (e.g., no significant number of negligible defects within 1 m; no two acceptable defects within 500 mm).
• Dimensions and tolerances
  • Length/width tolerances for cut sheets: up to 1 000 mm: +3 / 0 mm; 1 001–2 000 mm: +6 / 0 mm; 2 001–3 000 mm: +9 / 0 mm; ≥3 001 mm: +0.3% / 0.
  • Thickness tolerance: ±(0.4 mm + 0.1 h) where h is nominal thickness (mm).
• Required properties (selected values)
  • Tensile strength ≥ 70 MPa, tensile strain at break ≥ 4%, tensile modulus ≥ 3 000 MPa (ISO 527).
  • Charpy impact (unnotched) ≥ 13 kJ/m (ISO 179-1).
  • Vicat softening temperature ≥ 105 °C (method B50).
  • Dimensional change on heating (shrinkage) ≤ 2.5%.
  • Total luminous transmittance ≥ 90% for transparent, colourless material (1.5–5 mm).
  • Light transmittance at 420 nm: ≥ 90% before and ≥ 88% after 1 000 h xenon exposure (ISO 4892-2).
• Test methods and quality control
  • Referenced test standards include ISO 527, ISO 178, ISO 179‑1, ISO 306, ISO 13468, ISO 11359‑2, ISO 291 (conditioning), and ISO 2859‑1 (sampling). Requirements for specimen preparation, conditioning and inspection are specified.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 7823-1 is used by:

• PMMA/cast acrylic manufacturers for product specification and production control.
• Quality assurance and testing laboratories to verify mechanical, thermal and optical performance.
• Product designers, architects and specifiers selecting acrylic sheets for glazing, signage, displays, light diffusers, protective screens and architectural elements.
• Fabricators and distributors to ensure dimensional tolerances and surface quality meet application needs.
• Procurement and compliance teams to reference standardized material requirements.

Related standards

• ISO 7823-2: Extruded sheets
• ISO 7823-3: Continuous cast sheets
• Referenced test standards (ISO 527, ISO 178, ISO 179‑1, ISO 306, ISO 13468, ISO 4892‑2, etc.)

Keywords: ISO 7823-1, PMMA cast sheets, poly(methyl methacrylate), acrylic sheets, sheet thickness, tensile strength, Vicat softening temperature, optical transmittance, dimensional tolerances.