ISO 15100:2000 PDF

Overview

ISO 15100:2000 specifies a standardized laboratory method for determining the bulk density (apparent density) of non‑compacted chopped reinforcement fibres (chopped strands) used to reinforce thermoplastic resins. Published by ISO (first edition, 2000), the method is intended for production control and quality assurance of freely flowing chopped strands. It is not recommended for wet chopped strands, for strand lengths greater than 8 mm, or for materials that do not exhibit reasonable flowability.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Bulk density measurement of non‑compacted chopped strands for thermoplastic reinforcement; excludes wet strands, lengths >8 mm, or poorly flowing products.
• Principle: Weigh a known volume of chopped strands and divide mass by volume (g/cm3).
• Apparatus:
  • Balance with minimum capacity 500 g, readable to 0.1 g (specified precision in the standard).
  • Vessel of known volume (traditionally a 500 ml graduated beaker or cylinder). Total vessel volume must be known to ±0.5 ml.
  • Ordinary funnel (~150 ml) sized per the standard and a large flat‑edged spatula/knife for leveling.
• Conditioning: Test specimen and laboratory atmosphere must follow ISO 291 normal conditioning (e.g., 23 °C ±2 °C reference).
• Sampling: Typical laboratory sample ~1 kg taken from the production unit; two test fills are prepared for the determination.
• Procedure:
  • Tare and weigh empty vessel, pour chopped strands through funnel until overflow, level at the top without compressing, weigh filled vessel.
  • Repeat to obtain two determinations, calculate density for each (mass/volume) and report the average.
• Reporting: Test report must include reference to ISO 15100, product identification, individual determination values (if requested), average bulk density, and test date.
• Annex A: Informative method for determining vessel volume by weighing water and applying temperature correction factors.

Applications and users

ISO 15100:2000 is used by:

• Manufacturers of glass fibre and other chopped reinforcement strands for routine production control.
• Composite compounders and thermoplastics processors verifying incoming raw materials.
• Quality laboratories performing batch acceptance, supplier qualification, or troubleshooting (flowability, dosing, and feeding issues).
• R&D teams comparing materials or documenting physical characteristics for product specifications.

Practical uses include incoming inspection, batch-to-batch consistency checks, feed‑system tuning, and specification compliance for composite formulations.

Related standards

• ISO 291 - Plastics: standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing (referenced for conditioning requirements).
• Prepared by ISO/TC 61 (Plastics), subcommittee SC 13 (Composites and reinforcement fibres).

Keywords: ISO 15100, bulk density, chopped strands, reinforcement fibres, glass fibre, test method, quality control, composites, thermoplastics.