Overview
EN ISO 7510:2024 - Plastics piping systems - Glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) components - Determination of the amounts of constituents (ISO 7510:2017) - specifies a laboratory method to quantify the constituent materials in GRP piping components. The procedure determines resin, glass, aggregate and filler contents (commonly via loss on ignition, LOI), and can be used to identify the type and arrangement of reinforcements in layered laminates. This European adoption supersedes EN 637:1994 and aligns with ISO 7510:2017.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and principle
- Combustion-based method: resin and other organics are burned off; remaining residue is separated and weighed to calculate constituent fractions.
- Applicable to layered constructions where layers can be separated and tested individually.
- Apparatus and conditions
- Required equipment includes crucibles, oven (105–110 °C), electric muffle or microwave furnace (typically 625 °C ± 20 °C or 500–600 °C), desiccator, calibrated balance (1 mg), sieves and basic lab tools.
- Test piece and sampling
- Full-thickness specimens; recommended sample size guidance (e.g., ~40 × 40 mm × thickness for walls ≤30 mm).
- Minimum of two specimens from the same component; if results differ by >5%, a third specimen is required and results averaged.
- Procedure and accuracy
- Drying to constant mass, ignition, and separation/weighing of residues; dimensional measurements per ISO 3126 where applicable.
- Notes on limitations: not suitable for reinforcements or fillers that decompose or lose weight under test conditions; small organic additives (sizing, veils) will be lost with resin and usually have negligible effect.
- Safety and limitations
- Method measures behaviour under controlled heating; it is not a fire-hazard assessment. Fire testing hazards must be managed by the laboratory.
Applications and users
- Quality control and production verification for GRP pipes and fittings
- Material composition audits for manufacturers, test laboratories and independent inspection bodies
- Failure analysis and product development when confirming fibre architecture, glass content or filler loading
- Procurement specifications and conformity assessment in utilities, water treatment, oil & gas and civil infrastructure
- Designers and R&D teams validating laminate design and material ratios
Related standards
- ISO 7510:2017 (original text adopted as EN ISO 7510:2024)
- ISO 3126 - referenced for dimensional determination of plastic piping components
This standard is essential for labs and manufacturers working with GRP piping systems who need reproducible, recognized methods to quantify constituent materials for compliance, specification and quality assurance.
