SIST EN 17189:2025

Materials obtained from end of life tyres (ELT) - Determination of the true density of granulates and powders - Method based on water pycnometry

This document specifies methods and test protocols used to determine the true density of granulates and powders produced from ELTs, based on water pycnometry.
This document is applicable for powders and granulates below 12 mm.

Materialien aus Altreifen (ELTs) - Bestimmung der tatsächlichen Dichte von Granulaten - Methode auf der Grundlage von Wasser-Pyknometrie

Dieses Dokument legt Verfahren und Versuchsprotokolle fest, die verwendet werden, um die tatsächliche Dichte für Granulate und Mehle aus ELTs auf der Grundlage von Wasser-Pyknometrie zu bestimmen.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für Mehle und Granulate bis zu 12 mm.

Matériaux obtenus à partir de pneus usagés non réutilisables (PUNR) - Détermination de la densité vraie des granulats et des poudrettes - Méthode basée sur la pycnométrie à eau

Le présent document spécifie des méthodes et des protocoles d’essai employés pour déterminer la densité vraie de granulats et poudrettes produits à partir de PUNR, sur la base de la pycnométrie à eau.
Le présent document est applicable aux poudrettes et aux granulats de moins de 12 mm.

Snovi iz izrabljenih avtomobilskih gum (ELT) - Določanje prave gostote granulatov in praškov - Metoda, ki temelji na vodni piknometriji

Ta dokument podaja metode ter preskusne protokole za določanje prave gostote granulatov in praškov, pridobljenih iz izrabljenih avtomobilskih gum (ELT), ki temeljijo na vodni piknometriji.
Ta dokument se uporablja za praške in granulate, manjše od 12 mm.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 20-Feb-2024
• Publication Date: 13-Jan-2025
• ICS: 13.030.50 - Recycling
• ICS: 83.160.01 - Tyres in general
• Technical Committee: I13 - Imaginarni 13
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 07-Jan-2025
• Due Date: 14-Mar-2025
• Completion Date: 14-Jan-2025
• Ref Project: EN 17189:2024 - Materials obtained from End-of-Life Tyres (ELT) - Determination of the true density of granulates and powders - Method based on water pycnometry

Relations

• Revised: SIST-TS CEN/TS 17189:2024 - Materials obtained from end of life tyres (ELTs) - Determination of the true density of granulates - Method based on water pycnometry
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023

Overview

SIST EN 17189:2025 is a European standard developed by CEN that specifies methods for determining the true density of granulates and powders obtained from End-of-Life Tyres (ELT). This standard applies to materials with particle sizes below 12 mm and utilizes a water pycnometry-based method to achieve accurate density measurements. True density is a critical parameter for characterizing size-reduced ELT materials and distinguishing them from other polymer-based granulates.

This latest version supersedes the previous CEN/TS 17189:2018 and includes updated sampling and density determination procedures, now incorporating powders in addition to granulates.

Key Topics

• True Density Definition
  True density is defined as the ratio between the mass of a sample and the mass of an equivalent volume of water at the same temperature, providing a dimensionless characteristic used for material identification.

• Water Pycnometry Method
  Utilizes a glass pycnometer of known volume filled with a surfactant solution to measure the volume displaced by the sample. This highly accurate technique relies on precise weighing and volumetric displacement to calculate true density.

• Sample Preparation and Sampling
  The standard emphasizes obtaining a representative laboratory sample using procedures from EN 14243-2 and EN 17188, ensuring every particle has an equal chance of inclusion. Test sample masses are adapted to pycnometer volume with detailed guidance provided.

• Surfactant Solution
  A 0.5% solution of non-ionic surfactant (e.g., fatty alcohol ethoxylate like Genapol® LA 070) is recommended to minimize air bubble adhesion to the particle surface during testing.

• Vacuum Degassing
  Entrapped air bubbles are removed via vacuum degassing at 40 mbar pressure to improve measurement accuracy and prevent buoyancy errors.

• Measurement Procedure
  Steps include weighing the dry pycnometer with sample, filling with surfactant solution, vacuum degassing, topping up the pycnometer, and recording weights to calculate true density based on displaced water volume.

• Specific Method for Powders
  Annex A addresses the additional considerations necessary when analyzing finer ELT powders, ensuring precise and repeatable results by adapting standard procedures.

Applications

• Quality Control in ELT Recycling
  Determining true density with SIST EN 17189:2025 allows recycling facilities to monitor and control granulate and powder quality, ensuring consistent raw material for downstream applications.

• Material Authentication
  True density measurements help differentiate ELT-derived granulates from other polymer materials such as EPDM, critical for confirming material origin and compliance in supply chains.

• Process Optimization
  By tracking density changes through stages of size reduction, manufacturers can optimize production processes and improve yield quality.

• Research and Development
  Provides a standardized method for researchers studying novel uses of ELT-derived powders and granulates, supporting material characterization under consistent conditions.

Related Standards

• EN 14243-1: General definitions related to ELT-derived granulates and powders including dimensions and impurities.
• EN 14243-2: Methods for determining particle size distribution and impurities in ELT granulates and powders.
• EN 17188: Sampling method for ELT granulates and powders stored in big-bags, ensuring sample representativeness for testing.
• EN ISO 21646: Related sampling techniques for particulate materials, referenced for minimum representative sample mass guidance.

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Keywords: SIST EN 17189:2025, true density, water pycnometry, ELT granulates, ELT powders, End-of-Life Tyres, material characterization, recycling standards, particle density, surfactant solution, vacuum degassing, material authentication, CEN standard, ELT recycling.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2025
Snovi iz izrabljenih avtomobilskih gum (ELT) - Določanje prave gostote granulatov
in praškov - Metoda, ki temelji na vodni piknometriji
Materials obtained from end of life tyres (ELT) - Determination of the true density of
granulates and powders - Method based on water pycnometry
Materialien aus Altreifen (ELTs) - Bestimmung der tatsächlichen Dichte von Granulaten -
Methode auf der Grundlage von Wasser-Pyknometrie
Matériaux obtenus à partir de pneus usagés non réutilisables (PUNR) - Détermination de
la densité vraie des granulats et des poudrettes - Méthode basée sur la pycnométrie à
eau
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 17189:2024
ICS:
13.030.50 Recikliranje Recycling
83.160.01 Avtomobilske pnevmatike na Tyres in general
splošno
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 17189
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
December 2024
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.030.50; 83.160.01 Supersedes CEN/TS 17189:2018
English Version
Materials obtained from End-of-Life Tyres (ELT) -
Determination of the true density of granulates and
powders - Method based on water pycnometry
Matériaux obtenus à partir de pneus usagés non Materialien aus Altreifen (ELTs) - Bestimmung der
réutilisables (PUNR) - Détermination de la densité tatsächlichen Dichte von Granulaten - Methode auf der
vraie des granulats et des poudrettes - Méthode basée Grundlage von Wasser-Pyknometrie
sur la pycnométrie à eau
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 25 November 2024.

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
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 17189:2024 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 Principle . 5
5 Apparatus . 6
6 Preparation . 6
6.1 Sample preparation . 6
6.2 Surfactant solution . 7
7 Procedure for rubber granulates . 7
7.1 Method . 7
7.2 Preparation of pycnometer and sample . 7
7.3 Removal of trapped air . 8
7.4 Filling of pycnometer. 8
8 Expression of results . 8
9 Test report . 9
Annex A (normative) Specific Method for ELT rubber powder . 10
Bibliography . 11

European foreword
This document (EN 17189:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 366 “Materials
obtained from End-of-Life Tyres (ELT)”, the secretariat of which is held by UNI.
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 June 2025 and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by June 2025.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes CEN/TS 17189:2018.
This document includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
CEN/TS 17189:2018:
— addition of a sampling and true density determination method for powders in the Title and Scope;
— revision of the used terminology to integrate powders;
— review of the general structure of the document.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations 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
True density is a key measurement for product characterization of size-reduced materials such as
granulates and powders. This document specifies a specific method for granulates and powders
considering that, to obtain an accurate value of true density, a representative sample of the material to
be tested is taken according to the principle that every particle of the sample that represents the lot will
have an equal probability of being included in the sample.
Sampling criteria to assess characteristics of granulates and powders at various stages of a production
process by size reduction of End-of-Life Tyres are given in EN 14243-2.
Measurement of true density could be useful to identify the nature of particles of different origin, for
example, when a customer needs to check if they received granular material derived from End-of-Life
Tyres (ELTs) or from products based on EPDM polymers. True density is different between these two
products and could be a reliable element to discriminate.
Typical values are:
— ELT granulates: 1.12 - 1.22;
— EPDM granulates: 1.4 - 1.6.
1 Scope
This document specifies methods and test protocols used to determine the true density of granulates
and powders produced from ELTs, based on water pycnometry.
This document is applicable for powders and granulates below 12 mm.
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 14243-1, Materials obtained from end of life tyres — Part 1: General definitions related to the methods
for determining their dimension(s) and impurities
EN 14243-2, Materials obtained from end of life tyres — Part 2: Granulates and powders — Methods for
determining the particle size distribution and impurities, including free steel and free textile content
EN 17188, Materials obtained from End-of-Life Tyres (ELT) — Sampling method for granulates and
powders stored in big-bags
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 14243-1 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
true density
ratio between the mass of a certain volume of the substance at a given temperature T and the mass of
the same volume of water at the same temperature
Note 1 to entry: The true density is the relationship between the mass and the actually occ
...