ISO 1183-3-1999 PDF

Full title and description

Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 3: Gas pyknometer method. This part of ISO 1183 specifies a gas pyknometer procedure for determining the density (or specific volume) of solid, non-cellular plastics of any shape that do not contain closed pores, intended for laboratory and quality-control use.

Abstract

This part of ISO 1183 describes a method based on measurement of the volume of a specimen by gas displacement (pyknometry) and calculation of density from measured mass and pyknometer-derived volume. The procedure is applicable to solid, non-cellular plastics without closed pores and is intended to yield results comparable to other parts of ISO 1183.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in periodic ISO reviews).
• Publication date: September 1999 (Edition 1, 1999-09).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 — Plastics in general.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1999).
• Number of pages: 8 (official ISO record).

Scope

Specifies a gas pyknometer method for determining density or specific volume of solid, non-cellular plastics of any shape that do not contain closed pores. The method covers laboratory determination of specimen volume by gas displacement and calculation of density from mass and volume; it is intended to provide results comparable with other ISO 1183 parts (immersion, pyknometer/titration, density-gradient column). Annex material is provided for information.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle: measurement of specimen volume by gas displacement using a calibrated gas pyknometer and calculation of density from specimen mass and measured volume.
• Specimen preparation: requirements for representative specimen selection, conditioning (temperature/humidity), and avoidance of closed pores or entrapped gases.
• Apparatus: description and calibration of gas pyknometer, pressure and temperature control, and reference volumes.
• Measurement procedure: steps for evacuation/pressurisation, reading and repeatability checks, and corrections for temperature and buoyancy as needed.
• Calculation and reporting: formulas for density and specific volume, significant-figure conventions, and reporting of test conditions and uncertainty considerations.
• Comparability: notes on relation and expected comparability with Parts 1 and 2 of ISO 1183.

Typical use and users

Used by materials testing and quality‑control laboratories, polymer producers, converters, research and development teams, and conformity-assessment bodies that need accurate density or specific-volume data for solid, non-cellular plastics (for composition control, crystallinity estimation, and material specification). The method is appropriate where specimen shape prevents reliable immersion or where small samples and high precision are required.

Related standards

ISO 1183 is a multi-part standard; related parts include Part 1 (immersion, pyknometer and titration methods) and Part 2 (density‑gradient column method). ISO 1183-3:1999 replaces earlier single‑document versions of ISO 1183 (1987) and was prepared by ISO/TC 61/SC 5 (Physical‑chemical properties). Users frequently consult other test methods for density and specific gravity in plastics and polymer testing guides for complementary procedures.

Keywords

density, specific volume, plastics, non-cellular, gas pyknometer, pycnometer, ISO 1183, material testing, polymer density

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 1183-3:1999 is the part of the ISO 1183 series that defines the gas pyknometer method for determining the density (or specific volume) of solid, non-cellular plastics that do not contain closed pores.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus requirements, specimen preparation and conditioning, the gas displacement measurement procedure, calculation of density from mass and measured volume, reporting conventions, and comparability guidance with other ISO 1183 parts.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials and QA/QC laboratories, polymer manufacturers and converters, R&D groups, and testing bodies that require precise density measurements for solid plastics, especially when sample shape or size makes immersion methods impractical.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 1183-3:1999 remains the published Part 3 version of ISO 1183; the ISO bibliographic record shows the 1999 edition and indicates periodic review/confirmation activity in ISO's maintenance cycle. Users should confirm the standard's status with their national standards body before purchase or citation to ensure no later amendments or replacements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 1183 is a multi-part standard on density determination of non-cellular plastics. Key parts include Part 1 (immersion/pyknometer/titration), Part 2 (density gradient column), and Part 3 (gas pyknometer).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Density, specific volume, gas pyknometer, pycnometer, plastics, non‑cellular, ISO 1183.