Overview
ISO 2000:2020 - "Rubber, raw natural - Guidelines for the specification of technically specified rubber (TSR)" provides guidance for defining and procuring technically specified rubber (TSR) derived from Hevea brasiliensis latex. The standard proposes a flexible grading system based on the raw material type (bulked field latex, field-grade coagulum, sheet rubber) and measurable properties, and is intended as a basis for buyer–seller agreements rather than an exhaustive prescriptive specification.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Grade structure: TSR grades are defined by raw-material origin and properties (examples: LoV, CV, L, WF, 5, 10, 20, 10 CV, 20 CV). Colour coding and grade markers are specified.
- Material composition: TSR is grouped into three principal types - bulked field latex coagulated with coagulant, field-grade coagulum, and sheet rubber.
- Property limits: Typical test criteria and limits are provided (see Table 2) for properties such as:
- Dirt retained on sieve (e.g., 0.05–0.20% max depending on grade)
- Ash content (e.g., 0.5–1.0% max)
- Nitrogen content (e.g., 0.3–0.6% max)
- Volatile-matter content (0.8% max)
- Plasticity (initial P0, PRI), Lovibond colour index and Mooney viscosity (e.g., 55 ±10, 60 ±5, typical CV levels)
- Gel content (where applicable)
- Sampling and testing: Sampling to be performed in accordance with ISO 1795; specific test methods referenced (ISO 247-1, ISO 248-1, ISO 249, ISO 289-1, ISO 1656, ISO 2007, ISO 2930, ISO 4660, ISO 17278).
- Packaging: Recommended bale nominal mass (33.3 kg or 35 kg ±0.5%), bale identification and marking, wrapped in polyethylene film per ISO 20299-2 (film thickness guidance included).
Applications and users
ISO 2000:2020 is practical for:
- Procurement teams and buyers specifying raw natural rubber (TSR) for manufacturing
- Rubber producers and suppliers seeking to classify and market TSR grades
- Quality, inspection, and testing laboratories implementing agreed test methods
- Contract negotiators and technical managers who need a common basis for product specification and acceptance criteria
This guidance supports traceable, consistent supply chains, quality control, and contractual clarity in industries using natural rubber (tyres, industrial rubber goods, footwear, adhesives).
Related standards
Important normative references (used for test methods and packaging):
- ISO 1795, ISO 247-1, ISO 248-1, ISO 249, ISO 289-1, ISO 1656, ISO 2007, ISO 2930, ISO 4660, ISO 17278, ISO 20299-2
Keywords: ISO 2000:2020, TSR, technically specified rubber, raw natural rubber, rubber grading, Mooney viscosity, plasticity retention index, sampling, packaging.
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