EN 12608-4:2024

Unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) profiles for the fabrication of windows and doors - Classification, requirements and test methods - Part 4: PVC-U profiles with thermo-laminated foils

This document specifies the classifications, requirements and test methods for unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) profiles with thermo-laminated foils designed for external uses which are intended to be used for the fabrication of windows and doors.
NOTE 1   For editorial reasons, in this document, the term "window" is used for window/door.
NOTE 2   For the purpose of production control, test methods other than those specified in this document can be used.

Profile aus weichmacherfreiem Polyvinylchlorid (PVC‑U) zur Herstellung von Fenstern und Türen – Klassifizierung, Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren – Teil 4: PVC‑U-Profile mit thermo-kaschierten Folien

Dieses Dokument legt die Klassifizierungen, Anforderungen an und Prüfverfahren für Profile aus weichmacherfreiem Polyvinylchlorid (PVC U) mit thermo-kaschierten Folien zur Herstellung von Fenstern und Türen fest, deren Folie für den Außeneinsatz vorgesehen ist.
ANMERKUNG 1   Aus redaktionellen Gründen wird in diesem Dokument die Benennung "Fenster" für Fenster/Tür angewendet.
ANMERKUNG 2   Für die Produktionskontrolle können andere Prüfverfahren als die in diesem Dokument festgelegten verwendet werden.

Profilés de poly(chlorure de vinyle) non plastifié (PVC-U) pour la fabrication des fenêtres et des portes - Classification, exigences et méthodes d’essai - Partie 4 : Profilés en PVC-U avec des films thermo-laminés

Le présent document spécifie les classifications, les exigences et les méthodes d’essai des profilés de poly(chlorure de vinyle) non plastifié (PVC-U) avec films thermo-laminés conçus pour un usage extérieur, qui sont destinés à être utilisés pour la fabrication de fenêtres et de portes.
NOTE 1   Pour des raisons éditoriales, dans ce document le terme « fenêtre » est utilisé pour « fenêtre/porte ».
NOTE 2   Pour les besoins du contrôle de la production, des méthodes d’essai autres que celles spécifiées dans le présent document peuvent être utilisées.

Profili iz trdega polivinilklorida (PVC-U) za izdelavo oken in vrat - Razvrščanje, zahteve in preskusne metode - 4. del: PVC-U profili s termolaminiranimi folijami

Ta dokument določa razvrščanje, zahteve in preskusne metode za profile iz trdega polivinilklorida (PVC-U) s termolaminiranimi folijami za zunanjo uporabo, ki so namenjeni za izdelavo oken in vrat.
OPOMBA 1: Zaradi uredniških razlogov se izraz »okno« v tem dokumentu uporablja za okno/vrata.
OPOMBA 2: Za namene nadzora proizvodnje je mogoče uporabiti preskusne metode, ki niso navedene v tem dokumentu.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 19-Nov-2024
• ICS: 83.140.99 - Other rubber and plastics products
• ICS: 91.060.50 - Doors and windows
• 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: 20-Nov-2024
• Due Date: 24-Nov-2025
• Completion Date: 20-Nov-2024
• Ref Project: SIST EN 12608-4:2025 - Unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) profiles for the fabrication of windows and doors - Classification, requirements and test methods - Part 4: PVC-U profiles with thermo-laminated foils

Overview

EN 12608-4:2024 is a European Standard developed by CEN that specifies classifications, requirements, and test methods for unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) profiles with thermo-laminated foils. These profiles are intended for the external fabrication of windows and doors. This part of the EN 12608 series focuses particularly on thermo-lamination processes, which bond decorative and protective foil layers to PVC-U base profiles through heat application, ensuring durability and enhanced aesthetic appeal.

The document complements earlier parts of the EN 12608 standard series, focusing on non-coated profiles, adhesive-bonded foils, and forthcoming sections on painted and coextruded profiles. EN 12608-4 applies strict quality controls and testing methodologies to ensure PVC-U profiles with thermo-laminated foils meet performance criteria necessary for long-term outdoor usage.

Key Topics

• Classification of Thermo-Laminated Profiles
  The classifications align with those specified in EN 12608-2:2023, establishing consistent quality levels and material characteristics for profiles used in windows and doors.

• Requirements for Base Profiles
  Base PVC-U profiles must conform to EN 12608-1 standards, or alternatively meet the criteria detailed in EN 12608-2:2023 Annex A, allowing for recovered PVC (rPVC) with suitable stabilization and additives.

• Foil Material Standards
  Foils used in thermo-lamination must satisfy the same requirements as outlined in EN 12608-2:2023, including resistance to environmental factors.

• Adhesion Criteria
  Adhesion of the foil to PVC-U profiles is critical and must achieve Class 0 according to the EN ISO 2409 cross-cut test both initially and after exposure to hydrolytic and thermolytic conditions (simulated hot and humid climates).

• Test Methods
  The standard defines procedures for testing adhesive bond durability, including conditioning specimens at 70°C with 95% humidity for 42 days followed by reconditioning before adhesion testing, ensuring reliable performance under extreme weather.

• Traceability
  To guarantee full product traceability, extrusion and lamination companies must provide identification marks on profiles at regular intervals, referencing the standard, classification, and production information, including clear labeling when rPVC is used.

Applications

EN 12608-4:2024 is essential for manufacturers, fabricators, and quality control teams working with PVC-U window and door profiles that feature thermo-laminated foils. By adhering to this standard, stakeholders can:

• Ensure durability and weather resistance of external window and door components.
• Deliver enhanced aesthetic finishes using high-quality thermo-laminated foils.
• Facilitate consistent quality control during production, aligning with EU regulations.
• Provide traceability and transparency to customers, particularly when recycled materials are incorporated.
• Support sustainable building practices by standardizing the use of rPVC.

This standard benefits architects, builders, product designers, and regulatory bodies by providing a trusted framework to evaluate and verify thermo-laminated PVC-U profiles performance for exterior architectural elements.

Related Standards

EN 12608-4:2024 works in conjunction with several important standards in the PVC-U profile domain:

• EN 12608-1 – Specifies classification and requirements for non-coated PVC-U profiles for windows and doors.
• EN 12608-2:2023 – Covers PVC-U profiles with foils bonded using adhesives, providing foundational foil requirements.
• EN 17508 – Defines terminology for PVC-based materials used in window and door fabrication.
• EN ISO 2409 – The cross-cut test standard for assessing paint and foil adhesion, used as the primary test method to verify foil bonding strength.

Future parts of EN 12608 (Parts 3 and 5) will address painted profiles and coextruded colored top-layer PVC-U profiles, expanding the scope of quality criteria for PVC-U systems in the construction sector.

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Keywords: EN 12608-4:2024, PVC-U profiles, thermo-laminated foils, window profiles, door profiles, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, adhesion test, EN ISO 2409, PVC-U classification, European standard, PVC window frames, thermo-lamination, construction materials, recycled PVC, quality requirements, exterior PVC profiles, CEN standards, plastics in construction.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2025
Profili iz trdega polivinilklorida (PVC-U) za izdelavo oken in vrat - Razvrščanje,
zahteve in preskusne metode - 4. del: PVC-U profili s termolaminiranimi folijami
Unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) profiles for the fabrication of windows and
doors - Classification, requirements and test methods - Part 4: PVC-U profiles with
thermo-laminated foils
Profile aus weichmacherfreiem Polyvinylchlorid (PVC-U) zur Herstellung von Fenstern
und Türen – Klassifizierung, Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren – Teil 4: PVC-U-Profile
mit thermo-kaschierten Folien
Profilés de poly(chlorure de vinyle) non plastifié (PVC-U) pour la fabrication des fenêtres
et des portes - Classification, exigences et méthodes d’essai - Partie 4 : Profilés en PVC-
U avec des films thermo-laminés
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 12608-4:2024
ICS:
83.140.99 Drugi izdelki iz gume in Other rubber and plastics
polimernih materialov products
91.060.50 Vrata in okna Doors and windows
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 12608-4
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2024
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 83.140.99; 91.060.50
English Version
Unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) profiles for the
fabrication of windows and doors - Classification,
requirements and test methods - Part 4: PVC-U profiles
with thermo-laminated foils
Profilés de poly(chlorure de vinyle) non plastifié (PVC- Profile aus weichmacherfreiem Polyvinylchlorid (PVC-
U) pour la fabrication des fenêtres et des portes - U) zur Herstellung von Fenstern und Türen -
Classification, exigences et méthodes d'essai - Partie 4 : Klassifizierung, Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren -
Profilés en PVC-U avec des films thermo-laminés Teil 4: PVC-U-Profile mit thermo-kaschierten Folien
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 27 September 2024.

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
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12608-4:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Classifications . 4
5 Requirements for base profiles . 4
5.1 Base profiles in conformance with EN 12608-1 . 4
5.2 Other base profiles . 5
6 Requirements for foils . 5
7 Requirements for adhesion of the foil . 5
7.1 Adhesion of the foil. 5
7.2 Adhesion of the foil after hydrolytic/thermolytic storage . 5
8 Requirements for thermo-laminated profiles . 5
9 Test methods . 5
9.1 Determination of adhesion of the foil after hydrolytic/thermolytic storage . 5
9.1.1 Principle . 5
9.1.2 Apparatus and materials . 5
9.1.3 Storage and reconditioning . 5
9.1.4 Determination of the adhesion of the foil . 5
9.1.5 Test report . 5
10 Traceability . 6

European foreword
This document (EN 12608-4:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”,
the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2025, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn a
...