Overview
EN ISO 11357-6:2025 - Plastics - Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) - Part 6 specifies standardized methods to determine oxidation resistance of polymeric materials using DSC. It covers both oxidation induction time (isothermal OIT) and oxidation induction temperature (dynamic OIT). Published by CEN and aligned with ISO 11357-6:2025, this fourth edition supersedes the 2018 version and includes the addition of an isothermal stepwise temperature calibration for isothermal OIT.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applicable primarily to polyolefin resins (stabilized or compounded), raw materials and finished products; can be applied to other plastics.
- Principle: Uses DSC to detect exothermic oxidation events under controlled atmospheres and temperature programs.
- Apparatus & materials: Requirements for a DSC instrument, crucibles, flowmeter, gas selector/regulators and gases (oxygen, nitrogen, air).
- Specimen preparation: Guidance for specimens from compression-moulded plates, injection-moulded parts, melt-extrudates or finished articles.
- Calibration: Dynamic temperature calibration and newly added isothermal stepwise temperature calibration for isothermal OIT.
- Test procedure: Instrument setup, specimen loading, gas flows, sensitivity adjustment, and measurement routines for both isothermal and dynamic OIT.
- Results & reporting: Expression of results, precision and bias statements, and mandatory items for the test report to ensure repeatability and traceability.
- Safety & IP notice: Notes on potential patent rights and the voluntary nature of standards implementation.
Practical applications
- Quality control and batch acceptance testing of polyolefin resins and compounded plastics.
- Screening and comparison of antioxidant packages and stabilizer performance in formulations.
- Material selection and stability assessment for product design, packaging, pipes, films and molded parts.
- R&D and failure analysis where oxidation onset (time or temperature) informs lifetime and thermal-oxidative stability.
- Regulatory or certification testing where standardized DSC methods are required.
Who uses this standard
- Polymer manufacturers and compounders
- Quality control and analytical laboratories
- R&D teams in plastics and materials science
- Certification bodies and testing services
- Product engineers assessing long-term stability of plastic parts
Related standards
- Part of the ISO 11357 series (DSC methods for plastics). For complete cross-references and other parts in the series, consult ISO/CEN publications and national standards bodies.
Keywords: EN ISO 11357-6:2025, DSC, differential scanning calorimetry, oxidation induction time, isothermal OIT, oxidation induction temperature, dynamic OIT, polyolefin resins, plastics testing, ISO 11357.
