BS EN ISO 22088-2-2006 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN ISO 22088-2:2006 — Plastics — Determination of resistance to environmental stress cracking (ESC) — Part 2: Constant tensile load method. This document is the British-adopted European (EN) version of ISO 22088-2:2006 and specifies laboratory procedures to assess environmental stress cracking of thermoplastics when subjected to a constant tensile load in the presence of chemical agents.

Abstract

ISO 22088-2:2006 defines a constant tensile load test to rank the susceptibility of thermoplastic materials to environmental stress cracking (ESC). Test specimens (moulded or machined) are exposed to a chosen chemical environment while under a controlled tensile stress; time-to-rupture and/or the stress producing rupture at a defined time are recorded. The standard is intended as a comparative (ranking) test and is not intended to provide design or predictive performance data.

General information

• Status: Published / confirmed national adoption (BS EN ISO) — currently listed as Published; subject to periodic review.
• Publication date: ISO published 15 August 2006; BS (EN adoption) published 29 September 2006.
• Publisher: British Standards Institution (BSI) — adopted from ISO (International Organization for Standardization) / CEN.
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 (Plastics — general).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2006).
• Number of pages: National PDF/BS publication typically 15–20 pages (ISO original listed as 10 pages; national/adopted versions show 15–20 pages).

Scope

This part of ISO 22088 specifies methods for determining environmental stress cracking (ESC) of thermoplastics under a constant tensile load in the presence of chemical agents. It applies to test specimens prepared by moulding and/or machining and can be used to compare the ESC resistance of different materials in a given environment or the response of one material in different environments. The test is essentially ranking in character and is not intended for direct design or lifetime prediction. The document is one part of the ISO 22088 series covering multiple ESC test methods.

Key topics and requirements

• Test principle: specimen subjected to a constant tensile stress (below yield) while immersed in, or coated with, a test medium at defined temperature; time and/or stress at rupture recorded.
• Defined test methods (typical): Method A — determine tensile stress that causes rupture at 100 h (interpolation); Method B — determine time to rupture under an agreed single stress (used when time-to-rupture > 100 h); Method C — determine times to rupture over a range of stresses for analysis.
• Apparatus requirements: device to apply and maintain constant tensile load (weights or mechanical loading), inert materials for parts in contact with test medium, accurate force application (typically ±1%).
• Specimen preparation and conditioning: specimens prepared by moulding and/or machining, conditioned and mounted to avoid unintended contact with moving parts; immersion or thick coating (if viscous agent) specified.
• Data and reporting: record test temperature, medium, applied stress, time-to-failure, number of specimens, and any visual observations; results used for ranking and comparative assessment.
• Limitations: not intended for direct design calculations or precise lifetime prediction; outcome depends on specimen geometry, surface finish, and test conditions.

Typical use and users

Used by materials testing laboratories, plastics manufacturers, formulation and additive developers, quality control teams, research and development groups, and regulatory or specification writers to compare ESC resistance of thermoplastics or to assess material compatibility with chemicals. Typical applications include piping, tanks, containers, and other parts where chemical exposure under stress may cause cracking.

Related standards

ISO 22088 series (other parts) — Part 1 (general guidance), Part 3 (bent strip method), Part 4 (ball or pin impression), Part 5 (constant tensile deformation), Part 6 (slow strain rate method). ISO 22088-2 replaces/updates earlier ISO 6252 and relates to older national standards (for example ISO 4599 and ISO 4600 methods are covered by other parts). National adoptions appear as EN ISO 22088-2:2006 and equivalent translations.

Keywords

Environmental stress cracking; ESC; thermoplastics; constant tensile load; time-to-rupture; ranking test; chemical resistance; material ageing; ISO 22088; BS EN ISO 22088-2:2006.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is the British-adopted European edition of ISO 22088-2:2006 defining a laboratory method (constant tensile load) to rank thermoplastics for susceptibility to environmental stress cracking under chemical exposure.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, the test principle of applying a constant tensile load while exposing specimens to a chemical agent, apparatus and accuracy requirements, three main test procedures (A, B, C) for different time-to-rupture situations, and reporting requirements. It is intended for comparative assessments, not for direct design-life predictions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials testing laboratories, plastics producers, R&D and QC teams, and specifiers who need a reproducible method to compare ESC resistance of thermoplastics or to screen materials for chemical compatibility.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 22088-2 was published in 2006 and adopted as EN ISO / BS EN ISO in 2006. As of February 22, 2026 the standard remains published; international records show periodic systematic reviews and the status can change if a revision or replacement is issued — users should verify the latest national catalogue or the issuing standards body (BSI/ISO/CEN) for any revisions or withdrawals. (Original ISO publication: 15 Aug 2006; BS adoption: 29 Sep 2006.)

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 22088 is a multipart series on determination of resistance to environmental stress cracking; Part 1 gives general guidance and Parts 2–6 specify different test methods (constant tensile load, bent strip, ball/pin impression, constant tensile deformation, slow strain rate).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Environmental stress cracking (ESC), constant tensile load, thermoplastics, time-to-rupture, material compatibility, ISO 22088-2, BS EN ISO 22088-2:2006.