Overview
ISO 3167:2014 – Plastics - Multipurpose Test Specimens is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This standard defines the requirements for multipurpose test specimens (types A and B) used in the testing of plastic moulding materials. These specimens are primarily intended for processing by injection moulding or direct compression moulding, providing a standardized approach for preparing test pieces from plastic materials.
The use of multipurpose test specimens allows all relevant physical and mechanical tests to be performed using material in the same state, reducing variability due to differences in specimen preparation. ISO 3167:2014 ensures that these test specimens can be easily prepared and adapted for a wide range of standard test methods, supporting reliable and comparable testing outcomes across laboratories and industries.
Key Topics
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Specimen Types and Dimensions
ISO 3167:2014 specifies two types of multipurpose test specimens: type A (commonly used for injection moulding) and type B (for compression moulding). The standard defines detailed dimensional requirements, including length, width, thickness, and tolerances critical to test validity.
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Preparation Methods
Test specimens can be prepared by:
Strict control is required during preparation to ensure consistency in specimen properties.
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Reporting Requirements
A report on specimen preparation should include:
- Reference to ISO 3167:2014
- Specimen type and preparation method
- Material details (type, source, manufacturer)
- Number of specimens and conditioning information
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Quality and Marking
Test specimens must be free from visible defects. Specific marking is required to differentiate surfaces, particularly for injection-moulded and compression-moulded samples.
Applications
ISO 3167:2014 is widely adopted in the plastics industry for quality control, research & development, and comparative testing of plastics. The multipurpose test specimens specified by this standard are designed for versatility and can be used or further machined for a variety of tests, including:
- Tensile strength
- Flexural properties
- Impact resistance (Charpy, Izod, and tensile-impact tests)
- Creep behavior (tensile and flexural)
- Compressive strength
- Hardness and density measurements
- Thermal properties (deflection temperature, Vicat softening)
- Environmental stress cracking
- Electrical properties (comparative tracking index, electrolytic corrosion)
This standard streamlines laboratory processes by enabling the use of a single mould or specimen form for many standard mechanical and physical tests, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Related Standards
For comprehensive plastics testing and specimen preparation, ISO 3167:2014 references several related standards, including:
- ISO 293 - Compression moulding of thermoplastic materials
- ISO 294-1 - Injection moulding of thermoplastic materials
- ISO 295 - Compression moulding of thermosetting materials
- ISO 2818 - Preparation of test specimens by machining
- ISO 10724-1 - Injection moulding of thermosetting powder moulding compounds
Additionally, ISO 3167 is intended to be gradually replaced by ISO 20753, which consolidates specimen designations and dimensions for a broader range of plastic test specimens.
ISO 3167:2014 ensures standardized, reproducible testing in plastics, supporting consistent quality assessment and product development worldwide.
