SIST EN 18183:2027

• Abstract:

  This document provides a method of describing the materials, impregnates and lubricants for various types of yarn and ribbon based packings intended for use as gland seals in mechanical equipment such as pumps, mixers, etc. This document is intended to serve as a guide for packing manufacturers, pump OEM’s and end users. It does not include similar products intended for other duties such as thermal insulation.; Guidance is also given regarding dimensional and physical quality aspects of the packings and requirements for packaging and marking.; Tests are specified for the determination of lubricant content, size and mass.; NOTE 1 The information supplied by the purchaser at the time of enquiry and/or order is given in Annex B.; NOTE 2 All packings are free from introduced asbestos fibres in conformance with Annex XVII of REACH.

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 29-Jun-2025
• Publication Date: 10-Nov-2026
• ICS: 21.140 - Seals, glands
• ICS: 23.080 - Pumps
• Technical Committee: I13 - Imaginarni 13
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 09-Nov-2026
• Due Date: 14-Jan-2027
• Completion Date: 11-Nov-2026
• Ref Project: EN 18183:2026 - Pumps - Specification for gland packings manufactured from yarns and ribbons

SIST EN 18183:2027 is a Slovenian standard for gland packings manufactured from yarns and ribbons, published by SIST. It specifies how to describe the materials, impregnants, lubricants, construction, dimensions, quality checks, packaging and marking for packings used as gland seals in equipment such as pumps and mixers. It is written for packing manufacturers, pump OEMs and end users who need a common way to specify and verify these packings.

What does SIST EN 18183:2027 specify?

SIST EN 18183:2027 covers yarn- and ribbon-based gland packings and how to identify, build, test and mark them. It also gives guidance on dimensional and physical quality, packaging, and the purchaser information needed when ordering.

The document is organized into a scope, normative references, terms and definitions, packing types, construction, shape and cross-section, size, physical quality, packaging, marking, and quality of materials. Annex A gives the test methods, and Annex B gives the information the purchaser must supply.

Annex	What it covers
Annex A	Methods for lubricant content, size, density, tensile strength, shrinkage, and creep resistance
Annex B	Information to be supplied by the purchaser

What are the key requirements of SIST EN 18183:2027?

SIST EN 18183:2027 is built around a coding system and a set of material and quality requirements. In practice, this lets manufacturers and buyers describe a packing in a consistent way and check that the delivered product matches the order.

Packing identification and coding

Clause 4 requires each packing to be described by a unique code. The code identifies the yarn group and yarn type, minimum yarn content, impregnant, lubricant, reinforcement, density range, and whether the packing has an elastomeric core. For a buyer, this code is the shortest complete specification of what the packing is made of.

Construction and form

Clause 5 requires most packing types to be made with a minimum number of tracks depending on cross-section size, except expanded graphite and glass or ceramic types. Clause 6 says the packing is normally supplied in length form with a nominal square cross-section unless otherwise specified. This matters because the build and shape affect sealing performance and how the packing is installed.

Dimensional control and physical quality

Clause 7 limits how far the actual cross-section may vary from the nominal size, and Clause 8 requires the packing to be dense, firm yet flexible, with a regular surface, no obvious faults, and no twisted or badly joined yarns. For users, this is the basic check that the product can be packed, cut and compressed without obvious defects.

Packaging and marking

Clauses 9 and 10 require packings to be coiled in sealed parcels, protected from damage and dirt, and marked with the manufacturer’s identification, the document number and packing code, size, length or weight, and month and year of manufacture. Where relevant, warning labels and safety instructions must also be included. This supports traceability in storage, receiving inspection and installation.

Material performance

Clause 11 sets performance requirements for yarn tensile strength, elongation at break, and shrinkage, plus creep resistance for packings. It also adds special requirements for Group 5 PTFE packings and Group 6D expanded graphite packings, including weight-loss and impurity limits. In practice, these requirements screen out materials that are too weak, unstable or contaminated for sealing use.

Safety and substance notes

The introduction notes that some packings contain PTFE, which can give off fumes at elevated temperatures, and warns against contamination of tobacco products with PTFE. The scope also notes that all packings are free from introduced asbestos fibres in conformance with Annex XVII of REACH. These points matter for handling, purchasing and compliance review.

What terms does SIST EN 18183:2027 define?

• Gland packing - A yarn or ribbon based packing used as a gland seal in mechanical equipment such as pumps and mixers.
• Impregnant - A material added to the packing and identified in the code, such as PTFE, mineral grease/oil, silicone grease/oil, graphite or mica.
• Lubricant - A lubricant added to the packing and stated separately in the code, with its amount expressed by weight.
• Reinforcement - A reinforcing material in the packing, such as glass, cotton, carbon, PTFE filament, stainless steel or Ni/Cr.
• Elastomeric core - A core that may be circular, square or rectangular and may not exceed 50% of the packing cross-sectional area.
• PTFE - Polytetrafluoroethylene, one of the yarn and impregnant families covered by the standard.
• REACH - The EU chemicals regulation referenced for asbestos fibre restriction and PTFE-related substance limits.

Who uses SIST EN 18183:2027?

Packing manufacturers use SIST EN 18183:2027 to build the product code, choose materials, and verify yarn and packing properties. Pump OEMs use it when specifying gland packings for equipment design and procurement. End users and buyers use it to order the right packing type and size, and laboratories use Annex A when measuring lubricant content, size, density, tensile strength, shrinkage and creep resistance.

Which standards are used with SIST EN 18183:2027?

The document cites ISO 18067 for shrinkage testing of packing yarns and the FSA/ESA Compression Packing Technical Manual - 4th Edition for the glossary of terms. Annex A also refers to EN ISO 527 or ASTM D2256 for tensile strength and elongation at break, and to ASTM D5373, ASTM C561 and ASTM D4327 for expanded graphite packings.

Supporting laboratory items are also named in the test methods: EN ISO 4797, ISO 4793, BS 572 and BS 2071 for the extraction set-up, and REACH Annex XVII for restricted substances.

What does the SIST EN 18183:2027 document contain?

SIST EN 18183:2027 contains the packing type tables, the coding rules, the elastomeric-core rule, and the construction and size requirements used to describe a gland packing. It also includes tables for yarn strength, yarn shrinkage and packing creep resistance, which are the core acceptance checks for material quality.

Annex A provides the test procedures for lubricant content, size, density, tensile properties, shrinkage and creep resistance. Annex B lists the information the purchaser must give in an enquiry or order, so buyers can state the packing type, dimensions and whether rings are required.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2027
Črpalke - Specifikacija za tesnila iz preje in trakov
Pumps - Specification for Gland Packings manufactured from Yarns and Ribbons
Pumpen - Spezifikation für Stopfbuchspackungen gefertigt aus Garnen und Bändern
Pompes - Spécifications pour les garnitures de presse-étoupe fabriquées en fil et ruban
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 18183:2026
ICS:
21.140 Tesnilke, mašilke Seals, glands
23.080 Črpalke Pumps
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 18183
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 23.080
English Version
Pumps - Specification for gland packings manufactured
from yarns and ribbons
Pompes - Spécifications pour les garnitures de presse- Pumpen - Spezifikation für Stopfbuchspackungen
étoupe fabriquées en fil et ruban gefertigt aus Garnen und Bändern
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 14 September 2026.

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
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 18183:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Packing types . 5
4.1 Description . 5
4.2 Coding system . 7
4.3 Coding system example . 8
4.4 Elastomeric cored packings . 8
5 Packing construction . 8
6 Shape and cross-section . 8
7 Size . 8
8 Physical quality. 9
9 Packaging . 9
10 Marking . 9
11 Quality of materials . 9
11.1 Yarns . 9
11.1.1 Tensile Strength and Elongation at Break . 9
11.1.2 Shrinkage . 10
11.2 Packings . 11
11.2.1 Creep Resistance . 11
11.2.2 PTFE Packings (Group 5) . 12
11.2.3 Expanded Graphite Packings (Group 6D) . 12
Annex A (normative) Methods of test . 13
Annex B (normative) Information to be supplied by the purchaser . 16
Bibliography . 17
European foreword
This document (EN 18183:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 197 “Pumps”, the
secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
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 April 2027, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2027.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN-CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN and CENELEC
websites.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: 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 the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
This document was originally drafted by a joint Technical Task Force of the Packings Division of the
European Sealing Association (ESA) and the Compression Packing Division of the Fluid Sealing
Association and is approved by both organisations as a suitable reference for the packing types described.
Certain of the packings contain polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which, when heated to elevated
temperatures, can produce fumes which give unpleasant effects if inhaled. Care should be taken to avoid
contamination of tobacco products with PTFE.
1 Scope
This document provides a method of describing the materials, impregnates and lubricants for various
types of yarn and ribbon based packings intended for use as gland seals in mechanical equipment such
as pumps, mixers, etc. This document is intended to serve as a guide for packing manufacturers, pump
OEM’s and end users. It does not include similar products intended for other duties such as thermal
insulation.
Guidance is also given regarding dimensional and physical quality aspects of the packings and
requirements for packaging and marking.
Tests are specified for the determination of lubricant content, size and mass.
NOTE 1 The information supplied by the purchaser at the time of enquiry and/or order is given in Annex B.
NOTE 2 All packings are free from introduced asbestos fibres in conformance with Annex XVII of REACH.
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.
EN ISO 527-1:2019, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 1: General principles (ISO 527-
1:2019)
EN ISO 4797:2015, Laboratory glassware — Boiling flasks with conical ground joints (ISO 4797:2015)
ISO 18067:2015, Textiles — Synthetic filament yarns — Determination of shrinkage in dry-hot air (after
treatment)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in the Glossary of Terms in the
FSA/ESA Compression Packing Technical Manual 4th Edition, 2018, 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/
4 Packing types
4.1 Description
Each packing shall be described by a unique series of codes which define the following attributes:
1. the generic yarn Group or Groups,
2. the specific yarns within the Group,
3. the minimum weight of each yarn as a percentage of the total weight of the packing,
4. the minimum total weight of yarns as a percentage of the total weight of the packing,
5. the type of impregnation (where used),
6. the amount of impregnant percentage by weight,
7. the type of lubricating oil or grease (where used),
8. the amount of lubricant percentage by weight,
9. the type of reinforcement (where used),
10. the allowable density range in g/cm ,
11. whether the packing has an elastomeric core.
Table 1 indicates the packing types.
Table 1 — Packing types
Group number Yarn group Yarn code Yarn Type
1 Natural A Ramie
B Cotton
C Flax
D Hemp
E Micaceous
2 Glass A Glass
3 Ceramic A Ceramic
4 Synthetic A Para aramid
B Meta aramid
C Acrylic
D Polyimide
E Novoloid
F Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
G Polybenzimidazole (PBI)
5 PFTE A PTFE Filament
B ePTFE
C ePTFE/Graphite
D ePTFE/Graphite/Oil
E ePTFE/Talc/Oil
6 Carbonaceous A Preox. PAN
B Carbon
C Graphite
D Expanded graphite
Table 2 indicates the impregnant and lubricant types.
Table 2 — Impregnant and Lubricant Types
Impregnant or Lubricant Code
None X
PTFE P
Mineral grease/oil L
Silicone grease/oil S
Graphite G
Mica M
Table 3 indicates the reinforcement types.
Table 3 — Reinforcement Types
Impregnant or Lubricant Code
None Y
Glass Gl
Cotton Co
Carbon Ca
PTFE filament P
Stainless steel SS
Ni/Cr NC
4.2 Coding system
Each packing description shall consist of a sequence of codes separated by semi-colons as follows:
1. yarn group, yarn code as shown in Table 1, (e.g. 5A),
2. minimum total yarn content by weight %,
Where more than one yarn is present the details for each yarn should be followed by its percentage
by weight of the total packing and the details for each yarn shall be separated by a point sign
(e.g. 5C50.4A40),
3. impregnant type as indicated in Table 2 and minimum % by weight (e.g. P10),
4. lubricant type as indicated in Table 2 and minimum % by weight when determined by the method
specified in A.1 (e.g. S15),
5. reinforcement type as indicated in Table 3 (e.g. Gl),
6. density range of finished packing when determined by the method specified in A.3
(e.g. 1,6/1,9 g/cm ).
Where the yarn and/or lubricant content of the packing varies depending on the cross-section size, the
values quoted should be for the size for which these values are lowest.
4.3 Coding system example
A packing coded ‘5C50.4A40;P10;X;Y;1,6/1,9’ describes a packing manufactured from a combination of
50 % ePTFE/graphite and 40 % Para–Aramid yarns (i.e. a minimum total yarn content of 90 %)
impregnated with a minimum of 10 % PTFE impregnation and no additional lubricant or reinforcement
−3
having a finished density between 1,6 and 1,9 g.cm .
4.4 Elastomeric cored packings
Packings of any of the types can also be manufactured with an elastomeric core of circular, square or
rectangular cross-section.
The cross-sectional area of such cores shall not exceed 50 % of the packing cross-sectional area.
Where the packing contains an elastomeric core the packing code shall be as specified in 4.2 with the
addition of the letter E (e.g. 5C;70; P10; X; Y;1,6/1,9; E).
5 Packing construction
All packing types except those in expanded graphite and glass or ceramic shall be manufactured using
the minimum number of tracks indicated in Table 4.
Table 4 — Construction
...