SIST EN ISO 15023-1:2017 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 15023-1:2017 (ISO 15023-1:2017) defines a standardized designation system and the basis for specifications for poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAL) thermoplastic materials. Published by CEN and identical to the ISO document, it applies to PVAL materials with a degree of hydrolysis ≥ 70 mol% and to materials supplied as powder, granules or pellets, whether unmodified or modified by additives, colorants, fillers or reinforcements. The standard establishes how to name and record key polymer attributes for unambiguous material identification - it does not supply engineering performance or processing condition data.

Key topics and requirements

• Designation structure: The designation follows a fixed pattern - optional description block, identity block (standard number), and an individual-item block subdivided into five data blocks (blocks 1–5). Blocks are separated by commas; unused blocks are shown by double commas.
• Data block 1: Identifies the polymer by the abbreviated term PVAL (per ISO 1043-1).
• Data block 2: Codes for fillers and reinforcing materials (type, form and nominal mass content). Multiple fillers are indicated using “+” within parentheses, followed by total content.
• Data block 3: Codes for intended application and processing method (position 1) and for important properties, additives and colour (positions 2–8).
• Data block 4: Designatory properties - principally degree of hydrolysis and viscosity of an aqueous solution under defined conditions (e.g., 4 % solution). These are primary classifiers for PVAL types.
• Data block 5: Contains specification-level requirements needed to meet particular contractual or engineering needs.
• Limitations: The standard explicitly states that identical designations do not guarantee identical performance. It does not provide performance or processing data; additional properties should be measured according to ISO 15023-2 where applicable.

Applications and users

EN ISO 15023-1:2017 is useful for:

• Material suppliers and distributors to label and communicate PVAL grades.
• Product designers and engineers specifying PVAL for films, fibres, adhesives, coatings or molded parts.
• Procurement and quality assurance teams creating material specifications and purchase orders.
• Standards committees and regulatory bodies harmonizing material identification.
• Testing laboratories referencing designation parameters before performing property tests (see ISO 15023-2 for test methods).

Practical benefits include improved traceability, clearer supplier–buyer communication, and a reliable basis for drafting contractual specifications for poly(vinyl alcohol) materials.

Related standards

• ISO 15023-2 - Determination of properties (test methods) - referenced when additional property data are required.
• ISO 1043-1 - Symbols and abbreviated terms for basic polymers (used for the PVAL symbol).