ISO 16152:2022
(Main)Plastics — Determination of xylene-soluble matter in polypropylene
Plastics — Determination of xylene-soluble matter in polypropylene
This document specifies two methods of determining the mass fraction of a polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer which is amorphous, expressed as soluble in xylene at 25 °C. — Method 1: Reference method; — Method 2: Automated instrumental method.
Plastiques — Détermination des matières présentes dans le polypropylène solubles dans le xylène
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16152
Second edition
2022-06
Plastics — Determination of xylene-
soluble matter in polypropylene
Plastiques — Détermination des matières présentes dans le
polypropylène solubles dans le xylène
Reference number
ISO 16152:2022(E)
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ISO 16152:2022(E)
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ISO 16152:2022(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Method 1 — Reference method .1
4.1 Principle . 1
4.2 Apparatus . 1
4.3 Reagents and materials . 2
4.4 Procedure . 3
4.4.1 Preparation of the xylene . 3
4.4.2 Determination of level of impurities in the xylene (solvent blank) . 3
4.4.3 Determination of percentage xylene-soluble matter in the polypropylene . 4
4.5 Calculations . 6
4.6 Precision and bias . 7
5 Method 2 — Automated instrumental method . 7
5.1 Principle . 7
5.2 Apparatus . 7
5.3 Reagents and materials . 8
5.4 Procedure . 9
5.4.1 Preparation of the solvent . 9
5.4.2 Preparation of the sample . 9
5.4.3 Calibration curve. 9
5.4.4 Testing . 9
5.5 Calculation . 10
5.6 Precision and bias . 11
6 Test report .11
Annex A (informative) Precision data for polypropylene obtained from an intercomparison
of xylene-soluble content testing .12
Bibliography .13
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ISO 16152:2022(E)
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
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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.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
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. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
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www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 9,
Thermoplastic materials.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 16152:2005), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the introduction has been updated;
— the mandatory normative references clause has been added and subsequent clauses have been
renumbered;
— the pipette with capacity of 200 ml has been deleted from the list of apparatus;
— the symbols S , S and S have been replaced with w , w and w , respectively (see 3.1 and 4.5);
s m c s m c
— an automated instrumental method has been added (see Clause 5);
— a new informative Annex A (Precision data for polypropylene obtained from an intercomparison of
xylene-soluble content testing) has been added.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO 16152:2022(E)
Introduction
With the development of analytical and testing instruments, a new technique of measuring xylene-
soluble matter in polypropylene by automatic instrument has been developed. Automation improves the
precision, removing human-factor variability, and enhances safety for the laboratory and the operator.
The soluble content represents the fraction of amorphous material and it is important as it has a major
influence on the properties of the polypropylene.
The method is used to quantify the soluble/amorphous fraction in polypropylene homopolymers as
well as copolymers and can be used with other polyolefin materials, such as homopolymer polyethylene
or polyethylene α-olefin copolymers.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16152:2022(E)
Plastics — Determination of xylene-soluble matter in
polypropylene
1 Scope
This document specifies two methods of determining the mass fraction of a polypropylene homopolymer
or copolymer which is amorphous, expressed as soluble in xylene at 25 °C.
— Method 1: Reference method;
— Method 2: Automated instrumental method.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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 472, Plastics — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 472 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
xylene-soluble fraction
w
s
percentage, by mass, of the polymer that does not precipitate out when a solution of the polymer in
xylene is cooled from reflux temperature to 25 °C and held at that temperature for a specified period of
time
4 Method 1 — Reference method
4.1 Principle
The polypropylene is dissolved in xylene under reflux conditions, then cooled under controlled
conditions and maintained at 25 °C, to ensure the complete crystallization of the insoluble fraction. The
xylene-soluble fraction is then recovered by evaporation of the xylene and determined by weighing the
residue.
4.2 Apparatus
4.2.1 Reflux condenser, length 400 mm.
4.2.2 Flat-bottomed flask, capacity 500 ml, with one or two necks, or conical flask or cylindrical
bottle of similar capacity.
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ISO 16152:2022(E)
4.2.3 Insulation disc, made of fiberglass or mineral wool.
4.2.4 Magnetic stirrer, with temperature-controlled hotplate, thermostatted oil bath or heating
block capable of maintaining 140 °C to 150 °C.
4.2.5 Stirrer bar.
4.2.6 Pipette, class A, 100 ml or equivalent.
4.2.7 Glass-stoppered flask, 250 ml.
4.2.8 Thermostatically controlled water bath, with sufficient cooling capacity to maintain a
constant bath temperature of 25 °C ± 0,5 °C while cooling down the flask containing the xylene/polymer
solution (see 4.4.3.8 and 4.4.3.9).
4.2.9 Filter paper, fluted, at least 125 mm in diameter.
4.2.10 Funnel, 60°or equivalent, at least 125 mm in diameter.
4.2.11 Vacuum oven.
4.2.12 Disposable aluminium pans, 300 ml capacity, with smooth sides.
4.2.13 Temperature-controlled hotplate.
4.2.14 Analytical balance, with a minimum weighing sensitivity of 0,1 mg (a sensitivity of 0,01 mg is
preferred).
4.2.15 Desiccator, containing an appropriate desiccant.
4.2.16 Timer, preferably with an alarm, reading in minutes.
4.2.17 Oven, conventional forced-air or gravity-convection type.
4.3 Reagents and materials
4.3.1 Reagent-grade ortho-xylene(o-xylene), assay by gas chromatography (GC) 98 % min.;
ethylbenzene content as determined by GC less than 2 %; evaporation residue at 140 °C less than
0,002 g/100 ml; boiling point 144 °C.
4.3.2 Reagent-grade para-xylene(p-xylene), assay by gas chromatography (GC) 98 % min.;
ethylbenzene content as determined by GC less than 2 %; evaporation residue at 140 °C less than
0,002 g/100 ml; boiling point 138 °C.
Reagent-grade ortho-xylene (4.3.1) shall be used as the reference solvent whenever there is dispute
between laboratories on test results, unless the laboratories agree otherwise.
4.3.3 Antioxidants, 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT), or Pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-
tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate)(1010).
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ISO 16152:2022(E)
4.4 Procedure
4.4.1 Preparation of the xylene
4.4.1.1 Although stabilization of the xylene is not required, antioxidants shall be added to prevent
degradation when testing unstabilized powders or beads.
An approximate concentration of 0,02 g/l of xylene have been found to be effective stabilizers. Agitate
with a magnetic stirrer bar and heat for a minimum of one hour at 80 °C to 90 °C to ensure thorough
mixing of the antioxidants and the xylene. This heating temperature has been chosen as it is suitable for
BHT, which is relatively volatile.
4.4.1.2 Degas the xylene every 24 h by purging with nitrogen gas for a minimum of 1 h.
4.4.2 Determination of level of impurities in the xylene (solvent blank)
4.4.2.1 The purpose of the solvent blank is to determine the evaporation residue, i.e. amount of
foreign matter in the xylene.
A blank test should preferably be run on every new batch of xylene. If however, the xylene is extra-pure
grade (minimum 99,5 %) and is used immediately after being opened, a blank test is not necessary. If
all the xylene in not used immediately (within 3 days), a blank test shall be run. It is recommended that
xylene be purchased in glass or glass-line containers of a size such that the xylene will be used within
3 days of opening. Containers of larger size may be used if the xylene is used up within a short period
of time. The purpose of this time limit is to ensure purity and minimize pick-up of moisture and other
contaminants.
Carry out the blank test in triplicate, taking three test portions from each bottle or batch of xylene.
4.4.2.2 Pipette a 200 ml test portion of unstabilized or stabilized xylene into a clean, empty flask
(4.2.2).
4.4.2.3 Place a filter paper or equivalent (4.2.9) in a funnel (4.2.10) in funnel rack over a 250 ml flask
(4.2.7).
4.4.2.4 Pour the 200 ml of xylene into the funnel and allow the filtrate to drip into the flask. Continue
the filtration until all the filtrate has been collected.
4.4.2.5 Dry an aluminium pan (4.2.12) for 30 min in an oven (4.2.17) at 200 °C. Allow the pan to cool
to room temperature in a desiccator (4.2.15). Weigh the clean, dry pan to the nearest 0,1 mg.
4.4.2.6 Using a pipette, transfer a 100 ml aliquot of the filtered xylene into the weighed aluminium
pan.
4.4.2.7 Place the pan in a hotplate (4.2.13) maintained at 140 °C to 150 °C. Allow the xylene to boil
gently to avoid splashing. Blanket the pan with a slow stream of nitrogen. Continue heating until the
residue in the pan is almost dry.
4.4.2.8 Place the pan in a vacuum oven (4.2.11) at 100 °C ± 10 °C under the pressure of less than
13,3 kPa for a length of time known to be sufficient to dry the residue to constant mass.
4.4.2.9 Allow the pan to cool to room temperature in the desiccator, then weigh to the nearest 0,1 mg.
4.4.2.10 Calculate the average of the results of the three determinations.
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ISO 16152:2022(E)
4.4.3 Determination of percentage xylene-soluble matter in the polypropylene
4.4.3.1 If necessary, dry the sample before analysis. For drying, use a vacuum oven at 70 °C ± 5 °C
under the pressure of less than 13,3 kPa for a minimum of 20 min. Allow the sample to cool in a
desiccator to prevent moisture pick-up.
NOTE Polymer flakes and beads are dried before testing to eliminate moisture that can influence the initial
mass of the test portion.
With large pellets or beads, where there is concern that the test portion will not dissolve in a reasonable
timeframe, the pellets or beads may be ground to an appropriate size to ensure faster dissolution. Care
shall be taken not to mechanically shear the polymer chains or to increase the level of xylene-soluble
matter. Dry the ground material as specified above in this subclause.
4.4.3.2 Weigh out a test portion of the size given in Table 1, except when the expected soluble-matter
content is unknown or referee testing between laboratories is being conducted, In such cases, use a test
portion of 2,0 g ± 0,1 g. Weigh the test portion to the nearest 0,1 mg. Pour the test portion into a flat-
bottomed flask. Place a magnetic stirrer bar in the flask.
Table 1 — Size of test portion
Test portion mass
Expected soluble-matter content
g
<8,0 % by mass 4,0 ± 0,1 or 2,0 ± 0,1
8,0 % to 30,0 % by mass 2,0 ± 0,1
>30,0 % by mass 2,0 ± 0,1 or 1,0 ±
...
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