Overview
EN ISO 18064:2022 - Thermoplastic elastomers - Nomenclature and abbreviated terms (ISO 18064:2022), published by CEN/ISO, establishes a standardized nomenclature and abbreviated-term system for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). The document defines how TPEs are named and abbreviated in industry, commerce and government based on the chemical composition of the polymer(s) involved. It supplements commercial trade names and trademarks and is intended for use in technical papers, presentations, datasheets and standards.
Key topics and requirements
- Nomenclature system: All thermoplastic elastomer abbreviated terms begin with the prefix TP followed by a letter indicating the TPE category (Clause 4). Specific members are described after a hyphen by symbols that reflect polymer chemistry (Clause 6).
- TPE categories (Clause 5): TPA, TPC, TPO, TPS, TPU, TPV, TPZ - each defined by chemical structure (for example, TPV = thermoplastic elastomer vulcanizate; TPA = thermoplastic polyamide elastomer).
- TPO definitions: Includes both block copolymer types and polyolefin/rubber mixtures with little or no crosslinking.
- Compounded materials: For TPO and TPS compounds, the suffix -M is used to indicate compounding (Clause 4.3).
- Consistency and legacy terms: Annex A lists formerly used abbreviated terms to help map historic literature, standards, patents and trade literature to the current nomenclature.
- Normative references: The standard references ISO 1043‑1 (plastics symbols) and ISO 1629 (rubber nomenclature) and is aligned to avoid conflicts with existing polymer and rubber standards.
Applications and users
This standard is practical for:
- Materials engineers & product designers - consistent specification and comparison of TPE materials.
- Compounders and polymer producers - standardized labelling, datasheets and technical literature.
- Testing laboratories & quality departments - unambiguous identification for test reports.
- Procurement, regulatory bodies & standards committees - clear material classification in procurement specs, regulations and standards.
- Authors of technical papers, patents and textbooks - recommended format (name followed by the abbreviated term).
Practical uses include material selection, product specification, labelling, regulatory documentation, and harmonizing terminology across rubber and plastics industries.
Related standards
- ISO 1043-1 - Plastics: symbols and abbreviated terms for basic polymers
- ISO 1629 - Rubber and latices: nomenclature
Keywords: thermoplastic elastomers, EN ISO 18064:2022, TPE nomenclature, TPV, TPO, TPU, TPA, TPS, TPZ, abbreviated terms, thermoplastic elastomer classification.
