What is ISO 21304-1- PE – UHMW moulding and extrusion materials about?
ISO 21304-1 establishes a system of designation for thermoplastic PE-UHMW materials, which can be used as the basis for specifications. The types of PE-UHMW are differentiated from each other by a classification system based on appropriate levels of the designatory properties:
- Viscosity number
- Elongational stress
- Charpy double-notched impact strength
NOTE 1: This designation system is applicable to all PE-UHMW homopolymers and to ultra-high-molecular-weight copolymers of ethylene having a content of other 1-olefinic monomers of less than 50 % by mass and a content of non-olefinic monomers with functional groups up to a maximum of 3 % by mass. It applies to materials ready for normal use in the form of powder, granules, or pellets, unmodified or modified by colorants, fillers, and other additives.
NOTE 2: It is not intended to imply that materials having the same designation give necessarily the same performance. ISO 21304-1 does not provide engineering data, performance data, or data on processing conditions that can be required to specify a material. If such additional properties are required,
Who is ISO 21304 – PE - UHMW moulding and extrusion materials for?
ISO 21304-1 on designation system of PE- UHMW is useful for:
- Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE- UHMW) manufacturers
- Product development / innovation / research teams
- Quality control teams
Why should you use ISO 21304-1 – PE - UHMW moulding and extrusion materials?
UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) is an extremely tough plastic with high abrasion and wear resistance. The versatility of polyethylene has made it a popular plastic for countless industrial applications that require durability, low friction, and chemical resistance. 
ISO 21304-1 ensures the designation system and basis of the specification of Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE- UHMW) to maintain the high abrasion and wear resistance property of the plastic.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN ISO 21304-1:2019 supersedes ISO 115421:2001. BS EN ISO 21304-1:2019 includes some technical changes with respect to ISO 115421:2001. These include:
- The revised designation system is published under a new ISO number, as many existing documents refer to ISO 11542-1. If the existing ISO 11542-1 would be replaced by the new designation system, these documents would refer to the incorrect designation system.
- The new designation system according to ISO 21304-1 is intended to replace gradually any designation system according to ISO 11542-1.
