ISO 9113:2019

Plastics - Polypropylene (PP) and propylene-copolymer thermoplastics - Determination of isotactic index

This document specifies a method for determining the percentage of matter which can be extracted from crystalline propylene plastics by boiling n-heptane under standard conditions of testing. Isotactic index is determined by conventional chemical extraction as an absolute method. This method provides for the identification and coding of types H, B and R propylene plastics according to ISO 19069-1[1]. This method is suitable only for base polymers and is not applicable for mixtures. This method starts with solid propylene plastics in the form of particles of specified fineness.

Plastiques — Thermoplastiques à base de polypropylène (PP) et de copolymères de propylène — Détermination de l'indice d'isotacticité

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 23-Jun-2019
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 61/SC 9 - Thermoplastic materials
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 61/SC 9/WG 6 - Polyolefins
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 07-Oct-2024
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 9113:1986 - Plastics - Polypropylene (PP) and propylene-copolymer thermoplastics - Determination of isotactic index
• Effective Date: 12-Dec-2015

Overview

ISO 9113:2019 specifies a chemical-extraction method to determine the isotactic index of crystalline polypropylene (PP) and propylene‑copolymer thermoplastics. The standard measures the n‑heptane extractable matter from a solid propylene polymer sample under defined conditions, and reports isotactic index as an absolute value (II = 100 − S). It is applicable to base polymers (not mixtures) and supports identification/coding of types H, B and R in accordance with ISO 19069‑1.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and limitation
  • Applies only to solid propylene plastics in particle form and to base polymers (not blends).
  • Provides results used to classify types H, B and R (see ISO 19069‑1).
• Sample preparation
  • Reduce material to particles that pass a sieve (recommended mesh 0.5 mm ± 0.1 mm; not greater than 1 mm).
  • For grinding: mix at least 10 g sample with solid CO2 or liquid nitrogen and mill; allow screened material to equilibrate to room temperature.
• Apparatus & consumables
  • Extraction apparatus suitable for boiling n‑heptane and cartridges (glass fibre or paper, Ø 30 mm ± 3 mm, length 100 mm ± 10 mm).
  • Ovens capable of 70 °C ± 2 °C and 140 °C ± 2 °C with vacuum < 25 kPa; balance accurate to 0.0001 g.
• Extraction procedure
  • Dry cartridge + sample in oven at 140 °C (typically 2 h), weigh, then extract with boiling analytical‑grade n‑heptane for 24 h (300 ml solvent, 15–25 cycles/h).
  • For type H powders passing 0.5 mm sieve, a 6 h extraction may be acceptable if results match 24 h; otherwise 24 h is mandatory (and always mandatory for type B or disputed results).
  • After extraction, wash with acetone and dry at 70 °C to constant mass under vacuum.
• Calculation & reporting
  • n‑heptane extractable matter S = (m2 − m3) / (m2 − m1) × 100, where m1 = empty cartridge, m2 = cartridge + sample before extraction, m3 = cartridge + residue after extraction.
  • Report arithmetic mean of duplicate tests (values must agree within ±7.5% of mean). Isotactic index II = 100 − S (rounded to the nearest whole unit; tie-breaking rule applies).
  • Test report must reference ISO 9113:2019 and include identification, individual results, mean, II and any deviations.

Applications and users

• Used by polymer manufacturers, quality control and testing laboratories, materials engineers, and spec writers who need to:
  • Characterize crystalline PP and propylene‑copolymers by crystallinity/isotacticity.
  • Verify material classification (H/B/R) for product specifications and regulatory compliance.
  • Support failure analysis, incoming inspection and supplier qualification.

Related standards

• ISO 19069‑1 - designation system and basis for specifications for polypropylene moulding and extrusion materials (used for type coding referenced by ISO 9113:2019).

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 9113
Second edition
2019-07
Plastics — Polypropylene (PP) and
propylene-copolymer thermoplastics
— Determination of isotactic index
Plastiques — Thermoplastiques à base de polypropylène (PP) et de
copolymères de propylène — Détermination de l'indice d'isotacticité
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Apparatus . 1
5 Procedure. 3
5.1 Preparation of the sample . 3
5.2 Determination . 3
6 Calculation and expression of results . 4
7 Calculation of isotactic index (II) . 4
8 Test report . 5
Bibliography . 6
Foreword
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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 9113:1986), of which it constitutes a
minor revision. The changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— the normative references have been updated;
— the mandatory Clause 3 has been added and the subsequent clauses have been renumbered;
— minor editorial changes have been applied.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
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iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 9113:2019(E)
Plastics — Polypropylene (PP) and propylene-copolymer
thermoplastics — Determination of isotactic index
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for determining the percentage of matter which can be extracted
from crystalline propylene plastics by boiling n-heptane under standard conditions of testing. Isotactic
index is determined by conventional chemical extraction as an absolute method.
This method provides for the identification and coding of types H, B and R propylene plastics according
[1]
to ISO 19069-1 .
This method is suitable only for b
...