EN 60811-607:2012

Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 607: Physical tests - Test for the assessment of carbon black dispersion in polyethylene and polypropylene

IEC 60811-607:2012 specifies test methods for carbon black dispersion that are applicable specifically to PE and PP compounds, including cellular compounds and foam skin for insulation. IEC 60811-607:2012 cancels and replaces Clause 13 of IEC 60811-4-1:2004, which is withdrawn. Full details of the replacements are shown in Annex A of IEC 60811-100:2012. There are no specific technical changes with respect to the previous edition, but see the Foreword to IEC 60811-100:2012. This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60811-100:2012.

Kabel, isolierte Leitungen und Glasfaserkabel - Prüfverfahren für nichtmetallene Werkstoffe - Teil 607: Physikalische Prüfungen - Prüfung für die Bewertung der Rußverteilung in Polyethylen und in Polypropylen

Câbles électriques et à fibres optiques - Méthodes d'essai pour les matériaux non-métalliques - Partie 607: Essais physiques - Essai pour l'évaluation de la dispersion du noir de carbone dans le polyéthylène et le polypropylène

La CEI 60811-607:2012 précise les méthodes d'essai à employer pour déterminer la dispersion du noir de carbone, spécifiquement applicables aux mélanges PE et PP, y compris les mélanges d'isolation cellulaire avec ou sans peau. La CEI 60811-607:2012 annule et remplace l'Article 13 de la CEI 60811-4-1:2004, qui est supprimée. L'ensemble des informations relatives aux remplacements figure dans l'Annexe A de la CEI 60811-100:2012. Aucune modification technique n'a été effectuée par rapport à l'édition précédente; voir cependant l'avant-propos de la CEI 60811-100:2012. Cette publication doit être lue conjointement avec la CEI 60811-100:2012.

Električni in optični kabli - Preskuševalne metode za nekovinske materiale - 607. del: Fizični preskusi - Preskus za ocenitev disperzije saj v polietilenu in polipropilenu

607. del standarda IEC 60811 določa preskusne metode za disperzije saj, ki veljajo za polietilenske in polipropilenske zmesi, vključno s celičnimi zmesmi in penastim plaščem za izolacijo.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Jun-2012
• ICS: 29.035.01 - Insulating materials in general
• ICS: 29.060.20 - Cables
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 20 - Electric cables
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 20 - IEC_TC_20
• Parallel Committee: IEC/TC 20 - IEC_TC_20
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Completion Date: 15-Jun-2012
• Directive: 2006/95/EC - Directive 2006/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (codified version)
• Directive: 2014/35/EU - Directive 2014/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits
• Ref Project: SIST EN 60811-607:2012 - Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 607: Physical tests - Test for the assessment of carbon black dispersion in polyethylene and polypropylene

Relations

• Replaces: EN 60811-4-1:2004 - Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical cables - Common test methods - Part 4-1: Methods specific to polyethylene and polypropylene compounds - Resistance to environmental stress cracking - Measurement of the melt flow index - Carbon black and/or mineral filler content measurement in polyethylene by direct combustion - Measurement of carbon black content by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) - Assessment of carbon black dispersion in polyethylene using a microscope
• Effective Date: 29-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 60811-607:2012 is a European standard developed by CLC under the IEC 60811 series, which focuses on test methods for non-metallic materials used in electric and optical fibre cables. Specifically, Part 607 details the physical test procedures for assessing the dispersion of carbon black in polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) compounds. This standard is essential in ensuring the quality and reliability of insulation materials within cables, including cellular and foam skin compounds. It replaces Clause 13 of the earlier EN 60811-4-1:2004 standard but retains consistent technical procedures.

The accurate assessment of carbon black dispersion is crucial since carbon black is widely used as a pigment and stabilizer in polymeric cable materials, impacting performance characteristics such as UV resistance and durability. By following EN 60811-607:2012, manufacturers and testing laboratories can standardize measurements and ensure compliance with cable material specifications.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application
  Focuses on PE and PP materials including cellular compounds and foam skins utilized for cable insulation layers.

• Reference Methods
  Integrates test protocols established in ISO 18553:2002, which provides the microscopic examination procedure to assess pigment dispersion in polyolefins.

• Test Procedures
  Two specimen preparation methods:

  • Compression method: Recommended for polyethylene compounds and usable for extrusions.
  • Microtome method: Suited for polyethylene extrusions.

• Examination Criteria
  Microscopic analysis evaluates:

  • Degree of carbon black dispersion
  • Appearance rating of the material's microstructure

• Acceptance Limits
  Utilizes grading scales described in ISO 18553 Annex D, where the mean dispersion grading should be ≤3, and appearance should not be worse than the defined acceptable micrographs (A1, A2, A3, and B). This ensures uniform quality control.

• Documentation
  Test results and reports follow the framework established in EN 60811-100:2012, which covers general test reporting for non-metallic cable materials.

Applications

• Electric Cable Manufacturing
  Ensures the quality of insulation and sheathing materials through reliable testing of carbon black dispersion, contributing to enhanced cable lifetime and protection against environmental stress.

• Optical Fibre Cable Industry
  Applies standardized physical tests for PE and PP components, which are critical for maintaining the integrity of fibre optic cables under various operating conditions.

• Quality Control Laboratories
  Provides a benchmark and reproducible method to evaluate polymer dispersion quality, assisting in material acceptance and supplier qualification procedures.

• Research and Development
  Supports material scientists and engineers in optimizing polymer compound formulations for better carbon black distribution, thereby improving mechanical and electrical properties.

Related Standards

• IEC 60811-100:2012 - General test methods for non-metallic materials in cables; serves as a base standard to be used alongside EN 60811-607.

• ISO 18553:2002 - Method for assessing pigment or carbon black dispersion in polyolefins; the foundational methodology integrated into this standard.

• EN 60811-4-1:2004 (withdrawn) - Formerly included the carbon black dispersion test in polyethylene; now superseded by EN 60811-607.

• IEC 60811 series - Comprehensive set of test methods covering physical and electrical properties of cable materials.

By adhering to EN 60811-607:2012, stakeholders benefit from a harmonized, internationally-recognized test method that ensures the consistency, safety, and performance of polyethylene and polypropylene compounds used in critical electric and optical fibre cable applications.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2012
(OHNWULþQLLQRSWLþQLNDEOL3UHVNXãHYDOQHPHWRGH]DQHNRYLQVNHPDWHULDOH
GHO)L]LþQLSUHVNXVL3UHVNXV]DRFHQLWHYGLVSHU]LMHVDMYSROLHWLOHQXLQ
SROLSURSLOHQX
Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic materials - Part 607:
Physical tests - Test for the assessment of carbon black dispersion in polyethylene and
polypropylene
Kabel, isolierte Leitungen und Glasfaserkabel - Prüfverfahren für nichtmetallene
Werkstoffe - Teil 607: Physikalische Prüfungen - Prüfung für die Bewertung der
Russverteilung in Polyethylen und in Polypropylen
Câbles électriques et câbles à fibres optiques - Méthodes d'essai pour les matériaux non
-métalliques - Partie 607: Essais physiques - Essai pour l'évaluation de la dispersion du
noir de carbone dans le polyéthylène et le polypropylène
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60811-607:2012
ICS:
29.035.20 3ODVWLþQLLQJXPHQLL]RODFLMVNL Plastics and rubber insulating
PDWHULDOL materials
29.060.20 Kabli Cables
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 60811-607
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 2012
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 29.035.01; 29.060.20 Supersedes EN 60811-4-1:2004 (partially)

English version
Electric and optical fibre cables -
Test methods for non-metallic materials -
Part 607: Physical tests -
Test for the assessment of carbon black dispersion in polyethylene and
polypropylene
(IEC 60811-607:2012)
Câbles électriques et à fibres optiques -  Kabel, isolierte Leitungen und
Méthodes d'essai pour les matériaux non- Glasfaserkabel -
métalliques - Prüfverfahren für nichtmetallene
Partie 607: Essais physiques - Werkstoffe -
Essai pour l'évaluation de la dispersion du Teil 607: Physikalische Prüfungen -
noir de carbone dans le polyéthylène et le Prüfung für die Bewertung der
polypropylène Russverteilung in Polyethylen und in
(CEI 60811-607:2012) Polypropylen
(IEC 60811-607:2012)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2012-04-17. CENELEC 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 CENELEC 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 CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

© 2012 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 60811-607:2012 E
Foreword
The text of document 20/1316/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 60811-607, prepared by IEC/TC 20 "Electric
cables" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as
The following dates are fixed:
(dop) 2013-01-17
• latest date by which the document has
to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national (dow) 2015-04-17

standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes Clause 13 of EN 60811-4-1:2004 (partially). Full details of the replacements are
shown in Annex A of EN 60811-100:2012.
There are no technical changes with respect to EN 60811-4-1:2004, but see the Foreword to EN 60811-
100:2012.
This standard is to be read in conjunction with EN 60811-100.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
This standard covers the Principle Elements of the Safety Objectives for Electrical Equipment Designed
for Use within Certain Voltage Limits (LVD - 2006/95/EC)
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60811-607:2012 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

- 3 - EN 60811-607:2012
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60811-100 2012 Electric and optical fibre cables - Test EN 60811-100 2012
methods for non-metallic materials -
Part 100: General
ISO 18553 2002 Method for the assessment of the degree of - -
pigment or carbon black dispersion in
polyolefin pipes, fittings and compounds

IEC 60811-607 ®
Edition 1.0 2012-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –

Part 607: Physical tests – Test for the assessment of carbon black dispersion

in polyethylene and polypropylene

Câbles électriques et à fibres optiques – Méthodes d’essai pour les matériaux

non-métalliques –
Partie 607: Essais physiques – Essai pour l’évaluation de la dispersion du noir

de carbone dans le polyéthylène et le polypropylène

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
H
CODE PRIX
ICS 29.035.01; 29.060.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-0039-1

– 2 – 60811-607  IEC:2012
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Test method . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Procedure . 6
4.3 Expression of results . 7
4.4 Requirements . 7
5 Test report. 7
Bibliography . 8

60811-607  IEC:2012 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL E
...