Overview
ISO/TS 12805:2011 - "Nanotechnologies - Materials specifications - Guidance on specifying nano-objects" provides practical guidance for preparing product specifications for manufactured nano-objects. The Technical Specification helps suppliers and customers define the physical and chemical characteristics and associated measurement methods needed to deliver nano-materials with consistent downstream processability and final-product performance. It covers discrete solid nano-objects supplied in dry form or as dispersions and groups guidance by object geometry: nanoparticles (3D), nanofibres/nanorods (2D) and nanoplates (1D).
Key topics
- Scope and purpose: Guidance on characteristics that influence performance or processing; environmental, health and safety (EHS) aspects are outside scope (references provided for EHS).
- Definitions: Uses established nanoscale terminology (nanoscale ~ 1 nm to 100 nm) and manufactured nano-object concepts.
- Characteristic lists by object type: Recommended specification parameters for dry and dispersed forms, e.g.:
- Chemical composition and surface functionalization
- Specific surface area
- Mean particle/primary crystalline size and size distribution
- Degree of agglomeration/aggregation
- For nanofibres: length, diameter, aspect ratio, number of walls (tubes), catalyst residue
- Dispersion parameters: continuous phase, pH, specific gravity (% solids), shelf life
- Measurement methods: Annex B lists proposed methods. Methods are categorized into:
- Low-cost, routine techniques suitable for industrial QC
- Specialist techniques for less frequent, detailed assessment
- Troubleshooting inconsistent performance: Guidance to identify when specifications are incomplete, measurement methods are inappropriate, or methods are misapplied.
- Support materials: Decision tree (Annex A) to assist users, normative references and bibliography.
Practical applications
- Ensures batch-to-batch consistency in manufactured nano-objects used in coatings, composites, electronics, catalysis, pharmaceuticals and more.
- Improves supplier–customer agreements by clarifying measurable product attributes and acceptable ranges.
- Supports quality control, incoming material qualification, complaint resolution, and product traceability.
- Useful for materials scientists, product managers, procurement teams, and QC laboratories defining or verifying nano-material specifications.
Who should use this standard
- Nano-material suppliers and manufacturers
- Product developers and formulators incorporating nano-objects
- Quality assurance / QC engineers
- Laboratory analysts specifying test regimes
- Procurement and specification writers seeking reproducible material performance
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/TS 12805:2011, nanotechnologies, nano-objects specification, nanoparticles specification, nanofibres, measurement methods, material characteristics, batch-to-batch consistency.