Meaning
Testing methods for determining the water content of plastics provide the analytical foundation for material quality control. These procedures are compiled in the iso 15512 standard, which governs several chemical and physical techniques for measuring moisture in polymeric resins. The document does not cover measurements of surface-only moisture or non-polymeric substrates.
Analytical Methods
Different plastic materials require different techniques to extract and measure their internal moisture. The iso 15512 standard describes multiple methods, including manometric, coulometric, and water-vaporization procedures. Each method has a specific range of sensitivity and is suited for particular polymer families.
Selecting the appropriate method ensures that the results are both accurate and reproducible across different laboratories.
Processing Security
Moisture in thermoplastic resins acts as a plasticizer and can cause severe degradation during high-temperature processing. By following the iso 15512 standard, molders can verify that their raw materials are dry enough to be processed without causing molecular weight reduction. This testing is crucial for materials like polyamides and polyesters that are highly sensitive to hydrolysis.
Skipping this check can lead to brittle parts that fail in service.
Quality Verification
Compliance with international specifications is often a requirement for selling engineering-grade resins to high-value markets. Certified laboratories use the iso 15512 standard to provide customers with official documentation of a material’s moisture level. This documentation builds trust between resin producers and compounders who need to ensure their incoming materials meet strict quality limits.
