Overview
EN ISO 15023-2:2019 - Plastics - Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAL) materials - Part 2: Determination of properties is the CEN-adopted ISO standard that defines laboratory methods for measuring the key physical and chemical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAL). It applies to PVAL prepared by hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate) with a vinyl alcohol unit content (degree of hydrolysis) from 70 mol% to 100 mol%. The document updates and supersedes earlier editions and is intended for consistent specification and testing of PVAL materials.
Key topics
- Scope and applicability: Test methods for PVAL materials within the stated degree-of-hydrolysis range; complements designatory properties defined in ISO 15023-1.
- Properties and test conditions (Table 1): Lists required properties and standard test conditions, including:
- Volatile-matter content (Annex A) - mass loss at 105 °C for 3 h.
- Sodium acetate content (Annex B) - determined by titration or conductivity methods.
- Ash calculation (Annex C) - for inorganic residue determination.
- Degree of hydrolysis (Annex D) - titration-based method to report mol% hydrolysis.
- Viscosity of 4% aqueous solution (Annex E) - measured by rotational (Brookfield) or inclined‑tube falling‑ball viscometer at 20 °C.
- Particle size distribution - referenced to ISO 8130-1 (sieving).
- pH of aqueous solution - referenced to ISO 976 (4.0 ± 0.2% concentration).
- Normative references: ISO 8130-1, ISO 976, ISO 6587, ISO 12058-1 and others referenced for specific procedures and instrumentation.
- Reporting requirements: Specifies how to calculate, average duplicates, and report test results.
Applications
EN ISO 15023-2:2019 is used by:
- Manufacturers for product specification, batch release and internal quality control of PVAL resins.
- Independent testing laboratories to perform accredited, repeatable property determinations.
- Procurement and specification teams to define acceptance criteria in purchase specifications and supplier contracts.
- R&D and formulation scientists who require standardized property data for material selection and comparison.
Practical value includes ensuring consistent measurement of degree of hydrolysis, viscosity, residual salts (sodium acetate), volatile content and ash - all critical for performance, processing and compatibility of PVAL in downstream applications.
Related standards
- ISO 15023-1 - Designatory properties of PVAL (degree of hydrolysis, viscosity).
- ISO 8130-1 - Particle size by sieving.
- ISO 976 - pH of polymer dispersions.
- ISO 12058-1 - Falling-ball viscometer (inclined-tube method).
- ISO 6587 - Conductivity of aqueous extracts.
Keywords: EN ISO 15023-2:2019, poly(vinyl alcohol), PVAL, degree of hydrolysis, viscosity, volatile-matter, sodium acetate, ash, particle size, pH, Brookfield viscometer, falling-ball.
