EN ISO 24026-1:2020 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 24026-1:2020 - Plastics - Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) moulding and extrusion materials - Part 1: Designation system and basis for specifications (CEN/ISO) defines a standardized system to designate PMMA thermoplastic materials. The standard establishes how PMMA grades are identified and described so they can form the basis of material specifications used across manufacturing, procurement and testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Applies to PMMA homopolymers and MMA copolymers containing ≥80 % MMA (≤20 % other monomers); for materials in beads, granules and pellets.
  • Excludes PMMA modified with elastomers.
• Designation structure
  • A standard pattern: identity block (ISO number + symbol) and an individual-item block subdivided into five data blocks.
  • Data block 1: Identification by the polymer symbol PMMA (ISO 1043-1).
  • Data block 2: (Reserved for fillers/reinforcements - not used in this part).
  • Data block 3: Intended application / processing method (position 1) and important properties/additives/colorants (positions 2–8). Examples of codes include:
    • M = injection moulding, E = extrusion, D = disc manufacture
    • C = coloured, N = natural, L = light/weather stabilized, T = controlled transparency, Z = antistatic
  • Data block 4: Encoded designatory properties:
    • Vicat softening temperature - three-figure code
    • Melt mass-flow rate (MFR) - three-figure code
    • Viscosity number (optional) - two-figure code These properties are determined using test methods in ISO 24026-2.
  • Data block 5: Optional additional requirements for alternative specifications or special applications.
• Limitations
  • The standard does not provide performance, engineering or processing data. Materials sharing the same designation may still differ in performance; supplementary tests/specifications are recommended when needed.

Applications and users

• Useful for:
  • Material specifiers and design engineers preparing PMMA material specifications.
  • Polymer producers, compounders and suppliers to communicate grade identity.
  • Moulders and extruders, procurement teams and quality-control laboratories for consistent grade identification and traceability.
  • Standards committees and testing labs aligning test methods and specification frameworks.
• Practical uses:
  • Creating unambiguous PMMA grade descriptions for contracts and purchase orders.
  • Baseline classification for product development, quality control and regulatory documentation.
  • Streamlining supplier communications across the supply chain.

Related standards

• ISO 24026-2 - Preparation of test specimens and determination of properties (referenced for Vicat, MFR and viscosity testing)
• ISO 1043-1 - Symbols and abbreviated terms for basic polymers (for the PMMA symbol)

Keywords: EN ISO 24026-1:2020, PMMA designation system, poly(methyl methacrylate), Vicat softening temperature, melt mass-flow rate, viscosity number, PMMA moulding and extrusion materials.