EN 478:2025

Plastics - Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based profiles - Determination of the appearance after exposure at 150 °C

This document specifies a method for determining the effect of heat on unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) profiles, to be carried out in air at 150 °C.
It is also applicable to PVC-based profiles at specified temperatures/test conditions.

Kunststoffe - Profile auf Basis von Polyvinylchlorid (PVC) - Bestimmung des Erscheinungsbildes nach Lagerung bei 150 °C

Dieses Dokument legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Einflusses von Wärme bei 150 °C an der Luft auf Profile aus weichmacherfreiem Polyvinylchlorid (PVC U) fest.
Es ist auch für Profile auf Basis von PVC bei vorgegebenen Temperaturen/Prüfbedingungen anwendbar.

Plastiques - Profilés à base de poly(chlorure de vinyle) (PVC) - Caractérisation de l'aspect après conditionnement à 150 °C

Le présent document spécifie une méthode de détermination du comportement à la chaleur des profilés en poly(chlorure de vinyle) non plastifié (PVC-U), à une température de l’air de 150 °C.
Elle s’applique également aux profilés à base de PVC à des températures/dans des conditions d’essai spécifiées.

Polimerni materiali - Profili na osnovi polivinilklorida (PVC) - Ugotavljanje videza po izpostavitvi temperaturi 150 °C

Ta dokument določa metodo za ugotavljanje vpliva toplote na neprevlečene profile iz trdega polivinilklorida (PVC-U), pri čemer je preskus treba izvesti na zraku pri 150 °C. Uporablja se tudi za profile na osnovi polivinilklorida (PVC) pri določenih temperaturah/preskusnih pogojih.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 11-Mar-2025
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• ICS: 97.220.30 - Indoor sports equipment
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 249 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 249/WG 21 - Profiles for windows and doors
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 12-Mar-2025
• Due Date: 20-Apr-2026
• Completion Date: 12-Mar-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 478:2025 - Plastics - Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based profiles - Determination of the appearance after exposure at 150 °C

Relations

• Replaces: EN 478:2018 - Plastics - Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based profiles - Determination of the appearance after exposure at 150 °C
• Effective Date: 17-Jan-2024

Overview

EN 478:2025 is the latest European standard developed by CEN for evaluating the thermal stability of unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) based profiles by assessing their appearance after exposure to elevated temperatures. This standard specifies a robust method to determine the effect of heat exposure at 150 °C on PVC profiles, ensuring consistency and reliability in quality control and product development for PVC-based materials. It supersedes the previous EN 478:2018 and incorporates updates to testing and defect evaluation procedures.

The method is applicable primarily to PVC-U profiles but can also be used for other PVC-based profiles when subjected to specified temperatures and test conditions. EN 478:2025 provides a clear procedure for heating test specimens and inspecting them visually for surface and internal defects, helping manufacturers and quality inspectors ensure product integrity during thermal exposure.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability: Focuses on unplasticized PVC profiles with the main test temperature set at 150 °C; also covers comparable PVC-based profiles under specified conditions.
• Test Specimen Preparation: Test samples must be at least 200 mm in length to ensure representative results.
• Test Procedure:
  • Controlled exposure in a ventilated oven at 150 ± 3 °C for 30 minutes.
  • Visual inspection after cooling, examining inside, outside, and cross-sectional surfaces.
• Defect Identification: Documentation of appearance changes such as:
  • Blisters, cracks, or cavities on inner and outer surfaces.
  • Delamination in coextruded profiles or between different materials in composites (the latter only if due to physical property differences).
• Results Reporting: Detailed reporting requirements include test conditions, laboratory information, profile identification, test dates, apparatus used, observed defects, and additional influencing factors.

Applications

EN 478:2025 serves as a critical quality assurance tool for manufacturers and users of PVC-U and related PVC profiles in various industries, including:

• Construction and Building: Ensures thermal resistance of window, door, and façade profiles where heat exposure may occur.
• Automotive Components: Validates PVC profile stability under elevated temperature conditions in vehicle interiors or engine compartments.
• Electrical and Electronics: Confidence in PVC profiles used in cable management systems and housings facing heat during operation.
• Industrial Products: Applicable for PVC parts exposed to thermal stress in machinery or equipment.

This testing method aids in maintaining product durability and aesthetic quality after heating, enabling companies to meet compliance, improve material formulations, and reduce warranty issues related to heat-induced defects.

Related Standards

• EN 478:2018 – The preceding version replaced by EN 478:2025, providing the foundation for the updated methodology.
• ISO and IEC Terminology Standards – Referenced for standardization of terms related to plastics and testing.
• Other standards on PVC material properties and thermal testing procedures developed by CEN and ISO may complement this test, offering a broader assessment framework for polymer products.

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By implementing EN 478:2025, industries working with PVC-based profiles can effectively monitor and control the heat stability and appearance of their products, ensuring compliance with European safety and quality regulations and enhancing customer satisfaction through consistent performance.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2025
Polimerni materiali - Profili na osnovi polivinilklorida (PVC) - Ugotavljanje videza
po izpostavitvi temperaturi 150 °C
Plastics - Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based profiles - Determination of the appearance
after exposure at 150 °C
Kunststoffe - Profile auf Basis von Polyvinylchlorid (PVC) - Bestimmung des
Erscheinungsbildes nach Lagerung bei 150 °C
Plastiques - Profilés à base de poly(chlorure de vinyle) (PVC) - Caractérisation de
l'aspect après conditionnement à 150 °C
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 478:2025
ICS:
83.140.99 Drugi izdelki iz gume in Other rubber and plastics
polimernih materialov products
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 478
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
March 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 83.080.20 Supersedes EN 478:2018
English Version
Plastics - Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based profiles -
Determination of the appearance after exposure at 150 °C
Plastiques - Profilés à base de poly(chlorure de vinyle) Kunststoffe - Profile auf Basis von Polyvinylchlorid
(PVC) - Caractérisation de l'aspect après (PVC) - Bestimmung des Erscheinungsbildes nach
conditionnement à 150 °C Lagerung bei 150 °C
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 28 January 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 478:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 4
5 Apparatus . 4
6 Test specimen . 4
7 Test procedure . 4
8 Expression of results . 5
9 Test report . 5
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