ISO 7823-2:2003

Overview

ISO 7823-2:2003 is the International Standard that specifies requirements for flat poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) extruded sheets (acrylic sheets). It covers colourless or coloured, transparent, translucent or opaque extruded PMMA sheets with a thickness range of 1.5 mm to 20 mm. The standard defines appearance, dimensional tolerances, basic mechanical, thermal and optical properties, protective coverings, sampling and test methods for quality control.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and sheet types: Applies to extruded PMMA homopolymers and copolymers (≥80% MMA) used as flat sheets.
• Protective coverings: Surfaces as delivered shall be protected by removable films or paper to avoid contamination or damage.
• Appearance and defects:
  • Smooth surface required; no surface defects larger than 4 mm.
  • No inclusions larger than 2 mm; defect classification and acceptable distributions are defined.
• Dimensions and tolerances:
  • Length/width tolerances for cut sheets are specified by size ranges (e.g., up to 1 000 mm: +3/0 mm; 1 001–2 000 mm: +6/0 mm; etc.).
  • Thickness tolerances: ±10% for 1.5–<3 mm; ±5% for 3–20 mm.
  • Shape deviation and measurement conditions (room temperature; ISO 291 for standard conditions) are specified.
• Basic mechanical, thermal and optical properties (required values):
  • Tensile strength ≥ 60 MPa, tensile strain ≥ 2%, tensile modulus ≥ 2 900 MPa.
  • Charpy unnotched impact ≥ 8 kJ/m.
  • Vicat softening temperature (method B50) ≥ 88 °C.
  • Total luminous transmittance (transparent, colourless): ≥ 91% for t < 12 mm, ≥ 90% for 12 ≤ t < 20 mm (ISO 13468-1).
  • Light transmittance at 420 nm (3 mm): ≥ 90% before xenon exposure, ≥ 88% after 1 000 h (ISO 4892-2 exposure).
• Test methods and conditioning:
  • Mechanical tests: ISO 178 (flexural), ISO 527‑1/2 (tensile), ISO 179‑1 (Charpy), ISO 2039‑2 (Rockwell hardness).
  • Sampling recommended per ISO 2859‑1; conditioning per ISO 291 (23 °C ±2 °C, 50% RH).

Applications and who uses it

ISO 7823-2 is used by:

• PMMA sheet manufacturers to set product specifications and quality control criteria.
• Laboratory and QC personnel for testing and acceptance of extruded acrylic sheets.
• Product designers, fabricators and architects specifying acrylic for glazing, signage, display panels, lighting diffusers, protective screens and architectural elements.
• Purchasing and procurement teams to create unambiguous material contracts and conformity checks.

Related standards

• ISO 7823-1 (Cast sheets), ISO 7823-3 (Continuous cast sheets)
• ISO 8257-1 (PMMA material designation)
• Test-related standards referenced in ISO 7823-2: ISO 13468-1 (luminous transmittance), ISO 14782 (haze), ISO 4892‑2 (xenon-arc exposure), ISO 527, ISO 178, ISO 179.

Keywords: ISO 7823-2, PMMA extruded sheets, poly(methyl methacrylate), acrylic sheets standard, extruded acrylic, dimensional tolerances, optical properties, mechanical properties, test methods.