BS EN ISO 24026-1:2020

What is ISO 24026‑1 about?  

ISO 24026‑1 is the first part of the multi-series ISO 24026 on Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). PMMA is also known as Plexiglas or acrylic. PMMA is a light and shatter-proof alternative to glass, and also has many other applications such as dentures and bone implants. 

ISO 24026‑1 establishes a system of designation for PMMA thermoplastic material, which can be used as the basis for specifications. 

The types of PMMA plastic are differentiated from each other by a classification system based on appropriate levels of the designatory properties: 

• Vicat softening temperature 
• Melt mass-flow rate 
• Viscosity number 

ISO 24026‑1 is applicable to all PMMA homopolymers and to copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) containing at least a mass percentage of 80 % of MMA and not more than a mass percentage of 20 % of acrylic esters or other monomers. 

Note 1: ISO 24026‑1 does not apply to PMMA modified with elastomers. 

Note 2: ISO 24026‑1 is not intended to imply that materials having the same designation give necessarily the same performance.  

Note 3: ISO 24026‑1 does not provide engineering data, performance data, or data on processing conditions that might be required to specify a material for a particular application and/or method of processing. 

Who is ISO 24026‑1 for? 

ISO 24026‑1 on PMMA moulding and extrusion materials is useful for: 

• Manufacturers of PMMA-based products 
• Design engineers 
• Research and development professionals 

Why should you use ISO 24026‑1?  

PMMA or acrylic is a widely used transparent plastic material known for its applications in various markets from car windows, smartphone screens to aquariums. It is tough plastic, easy to shape, and a great alternative to the high cost and less resilient glass.  

ISO 24026‑1 applies to PMMA materials ready for normal use in the form of beads, granules, and pellets; and to materials unmodified or modified by colorants, additives, etc. 

ISO 24026‑1 specifies some properties for PMMA moulding and extrusion materials: 

• Vicat softening temperature: Vicat softening temperature or Vicat hardness is the determination of the softening point for materials that have no definite melting point, such as plastics 
• Melt mass-flow rate: It is defined as the mass of polymer in grams flowing per 10 minutes through a capillary of specific diameter and length 
• Viscosity number: Viscosity describes the flow behaviour of a fluid or gas.  

Using the designation system elaborated in ISO 24026-2, you will be able to assess the basis for specifications of PMMA moulding and extrusion materials. This, in turn, could help you determine the suitability of the material for your manufacturing needs. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN ISO 24026‑1:2020 supersedes ISO 8257-1:1998. BS EN ISO 24026‑1:2020 has been editorially revised. The changes include: 

• The normative references have been updated 
• Terms and definitions have been added 
• The position of the data block has been a change