prEN ISO 7214

Cellular plastics - Polyethylene - Methods of test (ISO/DIS 7214:2024)

ISO 7214:2012 specifies methods for testing flexible and semi-rigid cellular plastics made from polyethylene. Cellular plastics containing copolymers of ethylene or blends of polymers with polyethylene may also be tested by the procedures of this International Standard provided these materials have characteristics similar to polyethylene as described in ISO 1872-1, or copolymers of ethylene as described in ISO 4613-1.
Mandatory tests suitable for characterization of cellular polyethylene, regardless of end use, and optional tests for the determination of properties that are relevant to certain uses are described.

Schaumstoffe - Polyethylen - Prüfverfahren (ISO/DIS 7214:2024)

Plastiques alvéolaires - Polyéthylène - Méthodes d'essai (ISO/DIS 7214:2024)

Penjeni polimerni materiali - Polietilen - Preskusne metode (ISO/DIS 7214:2024)

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 21-Jun-2026
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 249 - Plastics
• Current Stage: 4060 - Closure of enquiry - Enquiry
• Start Date: 17-Feb-2025
• Completion Date: 17-Feb-2025
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN ISO 7214:2025 - Cellular plastics - Polyethylene - Methods of test (ISO/DIS 7214:2024)

Relations

• Revises: EN ISO 7214:2012 - Cellular plastics - Polyethylene - Methods of test (ISO 7214:2012)
• Effective Date: 08-Nov-2023

Overview

The prEN ISO 7214 standard, titled Cellular plastics - Polyethylene - Methods of test (ISO/DIS 7214:2024), is developed by CEN to establish uniform testing methods for flexible and semi-rigid cellular plastics manufactured from polyethylene. It applies broadly to cellular plastics including ethylene copolymers and polyethylene blends with similar characteristics as defined in ISO 17855-1 and ISO 21301-1. This standard focuses on accurate characterization through both mandatory and optional test methods to assess physical, mechanical, thermal, and burning properties critical to material performance.

Key Topics

The standard provides comprehensive test procedures categorized into mandatory and optional tests, ensuring materials meet required specifications for various industrial and commercial applications.

• Mandatory Tests:

  • Apparent Density: Measured per ISO 845, with sample volume adjusted for thickness.
  • Compressive Stress: Following ISO 3386-1, determining stress at specific deformations.
  • Compression Set: Assessed using ISO 1856 to measure permanent deformation after compression.
  • Tensile Strength and Elongation: Measured in accordance with ISO 1798.
  • Dimensional Stability at Elevated Temperature: Conducted using two different methods to evaluate shrinkage.
  • Water Absorption: Methods for thick and thin samples detailed in ISO 2896.
  • Burning Characteristics: Determined via ISO 3582 for fire safety assessments.

• Optional Tests:

  • Dynamic Cushioning Performance: Evaluates the material’s energy absorption capacity per ISO 4651.
  • Compressive Creep: Stability under long-term loading (ISO 7850).
  • Thermal Conductivity: Measured using steady-state methods (ISO 8301, ISO 8302).
  • Water Vapour Transmission: Assessed following ISO 1663.
  • Dynamic Stiffness, Cell Count, Tear Strength, Permanent Set after Repeated Compression: Advanced properties relevant to specific applications.

• Specimen Preparation and Conditioning:

  • Samples must be planar, with edges normal to surfaces.
  • Conditioning is standardized to specific temperature and humidity ranges (e.g., 23 ± 2 °C, 50 ± 10% RH) to stabilize material properties before testing.
  • Dimensional measurements follow ISO 1923 with specific allowances for curved specimens.

Applications

The ISO 7214 test methods are crucial for industries relying on cellular polyethylene materials where flexible and semi-rigid properties affect performance and durability. Key applications include:

• Packaging and Cushioning: Ensuring materials provide reliable compression and dynamic cushioning.
• Thermal Insulation: Evaluating thermal resistance for building materials and refrigeration.
• Automotive and Aerospace: Assessing mechanical properties and fire resistance for safety-critical components.
• Consumer Products: Verifying dimensional stability, tear strength, and water absorption for quality assurance.
• Construction Materials: Testing for compressive strength, creep, and water vapor transmission to comply with building standards.

By adhering to these standardized test methods, manufacturers can guarantee consistent quality, optimize product design, and facilitate compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.

Related Standards

prEN ISO 7214 integrates and references multiple international standards to provide thorough testing processes and facilitate harmonization in material characterization:

• ISO 845: Apparent density of cellular plastics and rubbers.
• ISO 3386-1: Stress-strain characteristics in compression for flexible cellular materials.
• ISO 1856: Determination of compression set.
• ISO 1798: Tensile strength and elongation at break.
• ISO 2896: Water absorption for rigid cellular plastics.
• ISO 3582 & ISO 9772: Burning characteristics for cellular plastics.
• ISO 4651: Dynamic cushioning performance.
• ISO 7850: Compressive creep.
• ISO 8301/8302/8497: Thermal conductivity and insulation properties.
• ISO 1923: Measurement of dimensions of cellular plastics.
• ISO 17855-1 and ISO 21301-1: Classification and characterization of polyethylene and ethylene copolymers.

These interconnected standards ensure that the procedures described in ISO 7214 maintain global relevance and technical accuracy, maximizing the practical value of testing cellular polyethylene materials.

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Keywords: cellular plastics testing, polyethylene testing methods, compressive stress, tensile strength, thermal conductivity test, water absorption polyethylene, compression set measurement, dynamic cushioning, burning characteristics standard, ISO 7214 compliance, polyethylene materials testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2025
Penjeni polimerni materiali - Polietilen - Preskusne metode (ISO/DIS 7214:2024)
Cellular plastics - Polyethylene - Methods of test (ISO/DIS 7214:2024)
Schaumstoffe - Polyethylen - Prüfverfahren (ISO/DIS 7214:2024)
Plastiques alvéolaires - Polyéthylène - Méthodes d'essai (ISO/DIS 7214:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 7214
ICS:
83.100 Penjeni polimeri Cellular materials
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 7214
ISO/TC 61/SC 10
Cellular plastics — Polyethylene —
Secretariat: SCC
Methods of test
Voting begins on:
Plastiques alvéolaires — Polyéthylène — Méthodes d'essai
2024-11-25
Voting terminates on:
ICS: 83.100
2025-02-17
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
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NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 7214:2024(en)
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 7214:2024(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 7214
ISO/TC 61/SC 10
Cellular plastics — Polyethylene —
Secretariat: SCC
Methods of test
Voting begins on:
Plastiques alvéolaires — Polyéthylène — Méthodes d'essai
ICS: 83.100 Voting terminates on:
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2024
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
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or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
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RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
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TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
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NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
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Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 7214:2024(en)
ii
ISO/DIS 7214:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Test specimens . 2
4 Conditioning . 2
5 Atmosphere during test . 2
6 Measurement of dimensions . 2
7 Mandatory tests . 3
7.1 Apparent density .3
7.2 Compressive stress .3
7.3 Compression set .3
7.4 Tensile strength and elongation .3
7.5 Dimensional stability at elevated temperature .3
7.5.1 Method A . . .3
7.5.2 Method B .4
7.6 Water absorption .4
7.6.1 Method A — For specimens greater than 25 mm thick .4
7.6.2 Method B — For specimens not more than 25 mm thick .4
7.7 Burning characteristics .5
8 Optional tests . 5
8.1 Dynamic cushioning performance .5
8.2 Compressive creep .5
8.3 Thermal conductivity .6
8.4 Water-vapour transmission .6
8.5 Dynamic stiffness .6
8.6 Cell count .6
8.7 Tear strength.6
8.7.1 Test specimen .6
8.7.2 Apparatus .7
8.7.3 Procedure .7
8.7.4 Calculation .7
8.8 Permanent set after repeated compression .7
8.8.1 Test specimen .7
8.8.2 Apparatus .7
8.8.3 Procedure .7
8.8.4 Calculation .7
9 Test report . 8
Annex A (normative) Cell count procedure .10

iii
ISO/DIS 7214:2024(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 7214 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 10, Cellular plastics.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 7214:2007). Figure 1, which was dimensionally
incorrect in the previous edition, has been replaced by Figure 2 from ISO 34-1:2010.

iv
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 7214:2024(en)
Cellular plastics — Polyethylene — Methods of test
1 Scope
1.1 This International Standard specifies methods for testing flexible and semi-rigid cellular plastics
made from polyethylene. Cellular plastics containing copolymers of ethylene or blends of polymers with
polyethylene may also be tested by the procedures of this International Standard provided these materials
have characteristics similar to polyethylene as described in ISO 17855-1, or copolymers of ethylene as
described in ISO 21301-1.
1.2 Mandatory tests suitable for characterization of cellular polyethylene, regardless of end use, are
described in Clause 7. Optional tests for the determination of properties that are relevant to certain uses are
described in Clause 8.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 845:2006, Cellular plastics and rubbers — Determination of apparent density
ISO 1663, Rigid cellular plastics — Determination of water vapour transmission properties
ISO 1798, Flexible cellular polymeric materials — Determination of tensile strength and elongation at break
ISO 1856, Flexible cellular polymeric materials — Determination of compression set
ISO 1923, Cellular plastics and rubbers — Determination of linear dimensions
ISO 2796, Cellular plastics, rigid — Test for dimensional stability
ISO 2896, Rigid cellular plastics — Determination of water absorption
ISO 3386-1, Polymeric materials, cellular flexible — Determination of stress-strain characteristics in
compression — Part 1: Low-density materials
ISO 3582, Flexible cellular polymeric materials — Laboratory assessment of horizontal burning characteristics
of small specimens subjected to a small flame
ISO 4651, Cellular rubbers and plastics — Determination of dynamic cushioning performance
ISO 7850:1986, Cellular plastics, rigid — Determination of compressive creep
ISO 8301, Thermal insulation — Determination of steady-state thermal resistance and related properties —
Heat flow meter apparatus
ISO 8302, Thermal insulation — Determination of steady-state thermal resistance and related properties —
Guarded hot plate apparatus
ISO 8497, Thermal insulation — Determination of steady-state thermal transmission properties of thermal
insulation for circular pipes
ISO 9772, Cellular plastics — Determination of horizontal burning characteristics of small specimens subjected
to a small flame
ISO/DIS 7214:2024(en)
ISO 17855-1, Plastics — Polyethylene (PE) moulding and extrusion materials Part 1: Designation system and
basis for specifications
ISO 21301-1, Plastics — Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVAC) moulding and extrusion materialsPart 1: Designation
syst
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