IEC TR 62392:2006

Suitability of typical electrical insulating material (EIM) for polymer recycling

Gives information for the assessment of factors associated with the polymer recycling and/or reuse of typical insulating materials in electrotechnical equipment. It gives information and assistance to developers and design engineers for assessment in selecting polymers and polymer combinations, and is a contribution to the preservation of resources and the minimization of disposal costs at the end of a product life. The environmental compatibility of polymers must be assessed in the light of the function of the materials in the product and the total service life. An important aspect is the recovery of the material at the end of the product life. The value level of material recycling as recovery option can be improved by incorporation of suitability for dismantling into the design of the article and the choice of insulating materials which are generally used. This document will cover material recycling only as part of recovery.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 07-Nov-2006
• ICS: 13.030.50 - Recycling
• ICS: 29.035.01 - Insulating materials in general
• Technical Committee: TC 112 - Evaluation and qualification of electrical insulating materials and systems
• Drafting Committee: WG 8 - TC 112/WG 8
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 31-Oct-2006
• Completion Date: 08-Nov-2006

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL IEC
REPORT TR 62392
First edition
2006-11
Suitability of typical electrical insulating material
(EIM) for polymer recycling
Reference number
IEC/TR 62392:2006(E)
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TECHNICAL IEC
REPORT TR 62392
First edition
2006-11
Suitability of typical electrical insulating material
(EIM) for polymer recycling
© IEC 2006 ⎯ Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: [phone] Telefax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Web: www.iec.ch
PRICE CODE
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale R

International Electrotechnical Commission
МеждународнаяЭлектротехническаяКомиссия
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – TR 62392 © IEC:2006(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.3

1 Scope.5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 Environmental aspects of polymeric materials at the End Of Life (EOL) stage .8
5 Processing and separation of recycled materials .10
5.1 General .10
5.2 Separation methods .10
5.3 Recycling of the polymeric materials in WEEE.11
6 Material factors .12
6.1 General .12
6.2 Mechanical properties – Tensile strength and toughness.12
6.3 Thermal endurance .13
6.4 Flammability/ignitability .14
6.5 Arc resistance .14
6.6 Comparative Tracking Index .14
6.7 Insulating performance (volume resistivity, dielectric strength) .14
6.8 Weatherability – UV-resistance .15
7 Design factors .15
7.1 Ease of dismantlement .15
7.2 Part labelling .16
7.3 Paints/finishes.16
[4]
7.4 Metallized parts .16
8 Ageing evaluation/life estimation of recycled electrical insulating materials (EIMs)
– General remarks.17
Bibliography.18

Figure 1 – Overview of possible ways to recover polymers .8
Figure 2 – Energy consumption and recycled fraction .9
Figure 3 – Tensile strength of reprocessed material.13
Figure 4 – Izod impact strength of reprocessed material .13

Table 1 – WEEE typical composition .11

TR 62392 © IEC:2006(E) – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SUITABILITY OF TYPICAL ELECTRICAL
INSULATING MATERIAL (EIM)
FOR POLYMER RECYCLING
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
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data of a different kind from that which is normally published as an International Standard, for
example "state of the art".
IEC 62392, which is a technical report, has been prepared by IEC technical committee 112:
Evaluation and qualification of electrical insulating materials and systems.
The text of this technical report is based on the following documents:
Enquiry draft Report on voting
15/235/DTR 15/263/RVC
___________
Technical committee 112 was created by combining the activities of sub-committee 15E and techical committee
98. This project was initially developed in technical committee 15 and then transferred to technical committee
112.
– 4 – TR 62392 © IEC:2006(E)
Full information on the voting for the approval of this technical report can be found in the
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• replaced by a revised edition, or
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A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

TR 62392 © IEC:2006(E) – 5 –
SUITABILITY OF TYPICAL ELECTRICAL
INSULATING MATERIAL (EIM)
FOR POLYMER RECYCLING
1 Scope
This Technical Report gives information for the assessment of factors associated with the
polymer recycling and/or reuse of typical insulating materials in electrotechnical equipment. It
gives information and assistance to developers and design engineers for assessment in
selecting polymers and polymer combinations, and is a contribution to the preservation of
resources and the minimization of disposal costs at the end of a product life. The
environmental compatibility of polymers must be assessed in the light of the function of the
materials in the product and the total service life. An important aspect is the recovery of the
material at the end of the product life. The value level of material recycling as recovery option
can be improved by incorporation of suitability for dismantling into the design of the article
and the choice of insulating materials which are generally used. This document will cover
material recycling only as part of recovery.
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.
IEC 60093, Methods of test for volume resistivity and surface resistivity of solid electrical
insulating materials
IEC 60112, Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking indices of
solid insulating materials
IEC 60216-1, Electrical insulating materials – Properties of thermal endurance – Part 1:
Ageing procedures and evaluation of test results
IEC 60216-2, Electrical insulating materials – Thermal endurance properties – Part 2:
Determination of thermal endurance properties of electrical insulating materials – Choice of
test criteria
IEC 60216-3, Electrical insulating materials – Thermal endurance properties – Part 3:
Instructions for calculating thermal endurance characteristics
IEC 60216-4-1, Electrical insulating materials – Thermal endurance properties – Part 4-1:
Ageing ovens – Single-chamber ovens
IEC 60216-4-2, Electrical insulating materials – Thermal endurance properties – Part 4-2:
Ageing ovens – Precision ovens for use up to 300 °C
IEC 60216-4-3, Electrical insulating materials – Thermal endurance properties – Part 4-3:
Ageing ovens – Multi-chamber ovens
IEC 60216-5, Electrical insulating materials – Thermal endurance properties – Part 5:
Determination of relative thermal endurance index (RTE) of an insulating material

– 6 – TR 62392 © IEC:2006(E)
IEC 60216-6, Electrical insulating materials – Thermal endurance properties – Part 6:
Determination of thermal endurance indices (TI and RTE) of an insulating material using the
fixed time frame method
IEC 60505, Evaluation and qualification of electrical insulation systems
IEC 61244-3, Long-term radiation ageing in polymers – Part 3: Procedures for in-service
monitoring of low-voltage cable materials
ISO 179 (all parts), Plastics – Determination of Charpy impact properties
ISO 527 (all parts), Plastics – Determination of tensile properties
ISO 11469, Plastics – Generic identification and marking of plastics products
ISO 1043-1, Plastics – Symbols and abbreviated terms – Part 1: Basic polymers and their
special characteristics
ISO 1043-2, Plastics – Symbols and abbreviated terms – Part 2: Fillers and reinforcing
materials
ISO 1043-3, Plastics – Symbols and abbreviated terms – Part 3: Plasticizers
ISO 1043-4, Plastics – Symbols and abbreviated terms – Part 4: Flame retardants
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
electrical insulating material
EIM
material with negligibly low electric conductivity, used to separate conducting parts at different
electrical potentials
[IEV 212-01-01:1990, MOD]
3.2
composite
1) solid product consisting of two or more distinct phases, including a binding material
(matrix) and a particulate or fibrous material
NOTE Example: Moulding material containing reinforcing fibres, particulate fillers or hollow spheres.
2) solid product consisting of two or more layers (often in a symmetrical assembly) of plastic
film or sheet, normal or syntactic cellular plastic, metal, wood, composite according to
definition 1), etc. with or without adhesive interlayers
NOTE Examples: Film composites for packaging, sandwich cellular composite for structural applications,
laminates made with paper, fabric, etc.
[ISO 472: 1999]
TR 62392 © IEC:2006(E) – 7 –
3.3
(mechanical) recycling
reprocessing in a production process of the waste materials for the original purpose or for
other purposes but excluding energy recovery
[IEC Guide 109:2003]
NOTE This definition excludes the chemical recycling during which the molecular structure is broken down to
produce monomers.
3.4
feedstock recycling
processing of plastic waste material, with significant change to the chemical structure of the
material including cracking, gasification and de-polymerisation but excluding energy recovery
or incineration
3.5
recyclability
property of a substance or a material and parts/products made thereof that makes it possible
for them to be recycled
NOTE Recyclability of a product is not only determined by the recyclability of the materials it contains. Product
structure and logistics are also very important factors.
[IEC Guide 109, 2003]
3.6
recycled polymer
materials resulting from recycling
3.7
commingled
A mixture of materials or products consisting of different types of plastics
3.8
contamination
unwanted substance in polymeric materials according to the intended use
3.9
halogen containing
material containing the elements F, Cl or Br either in the polymer (as in PVC, PTFE, …) or in
the fire-retardant additive package
3.10
thermoplastic
plastic capable of being repeatedly softened by heating and hardened by cooling through a
temperature range characteristic of the plastic and, in the softened state, capable of being
repeatedly shaped by flow into articles by moulding, extrusion or forming
NOTE 1 Thermoplastics can be reprocessed and recycled by remelting.
NOTE 2 Examples are given below as abbreviations after ISO 1043-1: PE, PVC, PS, PC, PP, PA, POM, SAN,
ABS, PBT, PET, PMMA, ASA, TPU, LCP, PEEK, PPS, PBT + PC, PC + ABS, PC + PBT, PPE, PPE + PS.
3.11
thermoplastic elastomer
TPE
general term for specific elastomers like thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
NOTE For further abbreviations see ISO 18064:2003.

– 8 – TR 62392 © IEC:2006(E)
3.12
elastomer and other crosslinked polymer
macromolecular material which returns rapidly to approximately its initial dimensions and
shape after substantial deformation by a week stress and release of the stress
NOTE 1 The definition applies to room temperature test conditions.
NOTE 2 Examples are EPR, nitril rubber, cross-linked PE according to ISO 1629 and ISO 1382 and cross-linked
PE (PE-X according to ISO 1043-1).
3.13
thermoset
plastic which, when cured by heat or other means, changes into a substantially infusible and
insoluble product
NOTE 1 Thermosets are often called thermosetting before curing and thermosets after cure. Their polymeric
structure is cross-linked by curing.
NOTE 2 Examples are EP, SI, UP, MF, PF, UF, MP, PUR (thermoset polyurethane, PIR (polyisocyanurate).
NOTE 3 For a more complete list of vocabulary see ISO 472.
4 Environmental aspects of polymeric materials at the End Of Life (EOL) stage
The choice of the polymeric material for electrical applications should be done incorporating
environmental considerations from a life cycle perspective. Handling of polymer waste is an
important issue in the life cycle of polymers. Polymer waste can be recycled, incinerated or
landfilled. Landfill deposition should be avoided, as it implies no recovery of materials or
energy and may cause uncontrolled release of harmful additives or degradation products.
Thus, the options that should be considered are mechanical recycling, feedstock recycling
which may be the choice in case the material is commingled, and incineration with energy
recovery. Overview of possible ways to recover polymers is shown in Figure 1.

Recovery
Material recycling Energy recovery
Mechanical Feedstock
IEC  2114/06
Figure 1 – Overview of possible ways to recover polymers
Mechanical recycling may be the choice if the waste material comply with the requirements of
the recycling process intended to be used, and well-defined and there is an efficient infra-
structure for collection, dismantling, and re-processing into new products.
However, if recycling conditions are not fulfilled, incineration with energy recovery is probably
the most suitable treatment. Using polymer waste as fuel for power/heat generation is
advantageous when the polymers have a high energy content. It is important, however, that
incineration is carried out under controlled conditions in plants with efficient air pollution
control. Polymers may for instance contain nitrogen, chlorine, fluorine, bromine and sulphur in
their structure or in additives and combustion of such compounds may give rise to harmful
substances. The preferred and most appropriate treatment of polymer waste containing
undesired organic additives is incineration, enabling the destruction and removal of harmful
compounds.
Whether or not a product or product part should be reused, recycled or incinerated is a
complex issue which has to be considered from case to case.

TR 62392 © IEC:2006(E) – 9 –
Recycling of thermoplastic-based products is increasing. The recycling environmental benefits
depend on the efficiency of the collecting mechanisms because the impacts arising from the
collection could eliminate the environmental credits due to the recycled material availability.
Energy consumption and recycled fraction are shown in Figure 2.

Relation energy consumption/fraction
reclamation in closed loop recycling
Optimum B
Recycled fraction
Optimum A
f f
0 % 100 %
2 1
IEC  2115/06
Environmental efficiency of a recovery program
optimum A = maximum energy recovery
optimum B = maximum material recovery in respect of energy balance
Figure 2 – Energy consumption and recycled fraction
If thermoplastics are incinerated under unregulated conditions with no air pollution control,
harmful combustion products may be emitted into the air. This is particularly true if the
polymer has other atoms than carbon, hydrogen and oxygen present in its structure (or in
additives). Incineration of nitrogen-containing polymers induces the formation of cyanides/
cyanates and NO , whereas hazardous halogenated organic compounds (dioxins, furans, etc.)
x
may be formed under inappropriate incineration of halogen-containing polymers. If the latter
polymers are incinerated in a plant with tuned combustion conditions, the halogens will come
out as acids (HCl, HF) in the combustion gases. These acids can be neutralised with common
air pollution control equipment.
If thermoplastics are deposited at a landfill site, the complete degradation of the material may
take more than a century, and during this time span harmful additives (e.g. lead-based
stabilisers) may be leached from the landfill site. It is generally accepted that land filling is not
preferred. Incineration should be done under state of the art conditions.
Thermosets are currently not recycled to a great extent. Recycling is restricted to milling and
use of the resultant powder as a filler. Methods for chemical recycling of thermosets, i.e.
controlled degradation and recovery of components, have been developed but are presently
not used on a large scale. If a thermoset resin contains substances which are classified as
environmentally hazardous, then the waste may also be environmentally hazardous
depending on applicable legislation.
Recycling of rubber materials has so far been limited to grinding and use of the milled rubber
as a filler in other materials such as asphalt and athletic field materials. Rubbers may contain
metal compounds (additives) which are classified as environmentally hazardous, which means
that the waste is classified as environmentally hazardous. Thermoplastic elastomers can be
recycled as the thermoplastics.
At the same time that plastic parts have been substituted for metals i
...