ISO 179 — Standard

About the Standard

Scope title: Charpy impact strength of plastics

ISO 179 is a standard published by International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The international standards organisation; it publishes the widest body of management system, test method and product standards.

See the other 310 codes from ISO

Coverage areas

Plastics Testing — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that code ISO 179 belongs to; it is not the text of the standard or the regime itself. The scope title of the code is given above, and technical requirements are shared at the quotation stage.

Plastics testing determines the mechanical, thermal and burning behaviour of a polymer material. Unlike metals, plastics are VISCOELASTIC: their behaviour depends on loading rate, temperature and moisture. The same material therefore gives different results under different conditions, and the test conditions are an inseparable part of the result.

The practical consequence of viscoelasticity is this: a plastic part continues to deform over time under a constant load (creep) and the stress it carries at constant deformation falls over time (stress relaxation). A screwed joint loosens, a clamp loses its clamping force, a shelf sags over time. A short-term tensile test does not show this behaviour; a long-term test or an accelerated model is needed.

Thermal behaviour is the second main axis. Melt flow rate indicates the processability of the material and lot-to-lot consistency; heat deflection temperature and the Vicat softening point give a rough limit for service temperature. Thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, DMA) reveals the identity of the material: glass transition temperature, melting behaviour, crystallinity, filler content and decomposition temperature.

Burning behaviour is the third axis and ties directly into product standards. The UL 94 class and the limiting oxygen index are written into the material data sheet; a particular class is required for the housing of an electrical appliance, while a different classification system applies to a construction product.

Ageing is the most frequently skipped part of the field. Plastics degrade under UV, heat, moisture and oxygen: colour changes, the surface cracks, impact strength falls. For a part intended for outdoor use, what matters is not its values on day one but its values after ageing. Xenon arc and fluorescent UV equipment accelerate this degradation and allow comparison.

The output of this family is usually written into the material data sheet, and product standards refer to that sheet. But there can be a difference between the data sheet value and the behaviour of the actual part: orientation formed during moulding, weld lines and internal stresses make the part behave differently from the specimen.

The use of recycled content has added a new question to the field. Recycled resin varies from lot to lot; mechanical properties, colour and burning behaviour can shift between batches. For a manufacturer using recycled material, incoming material control is therefore not a choice but a necessity.

Method groups in this field

Mechanical
Tension, compression, bending, Charpy and Izod impact, hardness (Shore), creep and environmental stress cracking.
Thermal
Melt flow index (MFI), heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening temperature, linear thermal expansion.
Thermal analysis
Transition temperatures and crystallinity by DSC, composition and decomposition by TGA, dynamic mechanical behaviour by DMA.
Burning
UL 94 classification, limiting oxygen index (LOI), glow wire and needle flame tests.
Ageing
Accelerated ageing by xenon arc and fluorescent UV, hot air ageing, humidity and condensation.
Physical
Density, water absorption, ash content, gas and water vapour permeability of films and sheets.

Commonly confused in this field

A plastics result without a stated test rate and temperature cannot be interpreted; viscoelastic behaviour depends on these parameters.
A specimen result does not transfer directly to the actual part; moulding orientation and weld lines are decisive.
HDT and Vicat values are NOT service temperatures; they are a rough indication of an upper limit and do not apply under load.
The UL 94 class depends on thickness; a different wall thickness requires re-verification.
For moisture-absorbing polymers (such as polyamide), results are misleading unless conditioning is carried out.
ASTM D638 and ISO 527 results are not directly equivalent; the specimen geometries and rate definitions differ.

Which decisions these results support

Material selection and supplier approval
Meeting the flammability and thermal requirements of the product standard
Verifying the use of recycled content and lot control
Moulding process control and lot consistency
Demonstrating ageing resistance for outdoor use

Structure of the Code

Published by: ISO
Serial number: 179
Part: without partition

Codes in the library without release year is kept. The current version changes over time; If the year is specified in your specification, that version is taken as basis, if not specified, the most current version is applied.

Scope

Plastics Testing

Related Tests and Services

A separate test page based on this code has not yet been released. The code falls within the scope of the following test families.

Plastics Testing

Technical Requirements

Standard texts are copyright of the relevant organization; test condition, sample and acceptance criteria cannot be fitted here.

Technical requirements specific to your product, once we clarify the scope At offer stage shared in writing.

Relevant Product Groups and Legislation

This code is included in the standard tag of the product pages below.

These product pages carry notes for the following markets: European Union, United Kingdom, USA. Whether the standard is mandatory in the relevant market varies depending on the product group and the applicable legislation.

Regulations published with this code on the same product pages:

(AB) 2018/858Vehicle Type-Approval FrameworkApproval of motor vehicles and their components. Component and separate technical unit approval run under this framework; the E mark arises from it.
UNECEUNECE 1958 AgreementType-approval under component-specific UNECE regulations (e.g. R10 EMC, R30/R54 tyres, R43 glazing).
UNECE R10UNECE R10Electromagnetic compatibility approval for vehicles and their components.
2011/65/EURoHSRestriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
2000/53/ATELVEnd-of-life vehicles. Sets heavy-metal restrictions and recoverability targets.
(EU) 2017/745MDRThe Medical Device Regulation. Classification (I, IIa, IIb, III), clinical evaluation, technical documentation and post-market surveillance obligations; the notified body's role grows as the class rises.
(EU) 2017/746IVDRThe In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation. In vitro diagnostic devices fall under this regulation instead of the MDR.
(AB) 2017/745 art. 33EUDAMEDThe European medical device database. From 28 May 2026, the actor registration, UDI/device, certificate and market surveillance modules are mandatory; placing on the market is not possible without a valid SRN.
2006/42/ATMachinery Directive (overlap)Relevant essential requirements also apply to medical devices that also qualify as machinery.
(EC) 1907/2006REACHRegistration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals; SVHC notification.
(EU) 2023/1230Machinery RegulationReplaces 2006/42/EC and becomes mandatory on 20 January 2027 with no further transition period. Requires notified-body involvement for Annex I high-risk machinery.
2014/35/EULVDThe Low Voltage Directive. Governs electrical safety in the 50–1000 V AC range.
2014/30/EUEMCThe Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive. Emission and immunity are covered together.
2014/34/ABATEXEquipment and protective systems used in explosive atmospheres. The category and conformity route are determined by zone classification.
2000/14/ATNoise EmissionNoise emitted into the environment by outdoor equipment. Machinery within scope requires a sound-power-level declaration and marking.
2014/68/EUPEDThe Pressure Equipment Directive for pressurised parts; the category is determined by pressure and volume.
(EU) 2024/573F-GasRefrigerant type, GWP value and leak-tightness obligations for systems containing a refrigerant.
(AB) 547/2012Ecodesign (water pumps)Ecodesign requirements for water pumps. Sets minimum efficiency index and product-information requirements.
(AB) 2019/1781Ecodesign (electric motors)Efficiency class requirements for electric motors and variable-speed drives.
(AT) 1935/2004Food Contact MaterialsGeneral requirements for equipment in contact with food; material conformity is required for valves in food lines.
(AB) 2020/2184Drinking Water Contact ProductsHygiene requirements for materials in contact with water under the Drinking Water Directive.
2014/29/ABSimple Pressure VesselsA separate directive for series-produced simple pressure vessels; its scope must be distinguished from the PED.
2010/35/ABTransportable Pressure EquipmentThe pi mark and periodic inspection regime for transportable pressure equipment.
2009/48/ECToy SafetyThe Toy Safety Directive. Regulates mechanical, physical, flammability, chemical and electrical safety requirements together; a technical file and safety assessment are mandatory.
EN 62115Electrical toysSafety for electric toys; applies to mains-connected or battery-powered toys.
(AT) 1907/2006 Annex XVII item 51-52Phthalate RestrictionRestriction of certain phthalates in toys and childcare articles.
(EU) 2023/1542Batteries RegulationBattery obligations and a removability requirement for toys containing a battery.
(AB) 1007/2011Textile LabellingTextile fibre names and labelling. Declaration of fibre composition and regulation of the label language.
(AT) 1907/2006 Annex XVII item 43Azo Dye RestrictionRestriction of certain azo dyes in textiles in contact with skin.
(AB) 2019/1021PFAS / PFOA RestrictionRestriction of PFOA and its derivatives under the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation.
(EU) 2023/988GPSRThe General Product Safety Regulation. The safety framework for consumer products not covered by sector-specific legislation.
(EU) 2016/425Personal Protective Equipment (overlap)The PPE Regulation's scope and category are determined for textiles with a protective function.
(AB) 10/2011Plastics in Food ContactPlastic materials in contact with food. The list of authorised substances, and overall and specific migration limits.
(AT) 2023/2006Good Manufacturing PracticeGood manufacturing practice (GMP) for food-contact materials.
(AB) 2025/40Packaging and Packaging WasteThe Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Recyclability, recycled-content and packaging-reduction obligations; replaces 94/62/EC.
(AB) 2022/1616Recycled PlasticRecycled plastic materials in contact with food.
(EU) 2024/3110Construction Products RegulationDeclaration of performance and CE marking for construction products. Most provisions apply from 8 January 2026; it progressively replaces (EU) 305/2011.
(AB) 305/2011CPR (transition)Continues to apply during the transition period for product groups where a new harmonised standard has not been published.
EN 13501-1Reaction-to-Fire ClassificationReaction-to-fire class for construction products; a mandatory item of the declaration of performance.
(EU) 2023/1115Deforestation (wood-based)A deforestation-free supply declaration for wood and derived construction materials.
(AT) 1223/2009Cosmetic Products RegulationThe Cosmetic Products Regulation. Appointing a responsible person, the product information file (PIF), the safety assessment (CPSR) and CPNP notification are mandatory; there is no product approval, and responsibility rests with the manufacturer.
(AT) 1223/2009 Annexes II-VIProhibited and Restricted SubstancesLists of prohibited substances, restricted substances, and permitted preservatives, colorants and UV filters.
(AT) 1223/2009 art. 16Nanomaterial NotificationA separate notification six months before placing on the market for products containing nanomaterials.
(AT) 1223/2009 art. 18Animal Testing BanA ban on animal testing of finished products and ingredients, and on placing animal-tested products on the market.
(AT) 178/2002General Food LawThe general principles of food law, traceability and food safety responsibility.
(AT) 852/2004Food HygieneHygiene rules for food businesses and the obligation for a HACCP-based system.
(AB) 1169/2011Food Information to ConsumersFood labelling; nutrition declaration, allergen information and origin information.
(AB) 2023/915ContaminantsMaximum levels of contaminants in food.
(AT) 396/2005Pesticide residuesMaximum residue limits in food of plant and animal origin.
(AT) 2073/2005Microbiological CriteriaMicrobiological criteria for foodstuffs.

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