ISO 1063-1974 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 1063:1974 — Surface active agents — Determination of stability in hard water. This International Standard specifies a simple laboratory method to assess whether a surface‑active agent (surfactant) remains clear or becomes opalescent, cloudy or precipitates when mixed with waters of defined calcium hardness; applicable to agents soluble in water at about 20 °C (and extendable to those soluble at ≈50 °C).

Abstract

Solutions of the substance to be tested, at varying concentrations, are mixed with hard‑water solutions of known calcium hardness. After standing under specified conditions the test mixtures are examined visually for appearance (clearness, opalescence, cloudiness or precipitation). The method is intended for surface‑active agents soluble in water at 20 °C and may be extended to those soluble at about 50 °C.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; reviewed and confirmed in recent ISO review).'
• Publication date: 1 December 1974 (Edition 1, 1974).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 71.100.40 — Surface active agents.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1974).
• Number of pages: 3 pages (concise test method).

Key bibliographic and status details as listed by ISO and national standards bodies.

Scope

Specifies a standardized visual method for assessing the stability of surface‑active agents in hard water. The procedure covers agents readily soluble in water at ambient laboratory temperature (20 °C) and can be applied, with adjustments, to agents that require heating to about 50 °C for solution. The method references preparation of hard waters of known calcium hardness (see ISO 2174) and basic laboratory apparatus such as graduated pipettes and test tubes.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle — mix defined concentrations of surfactant solution with standard hard‑water solutions and observe appearance after a specified standing time.
• Reference hard‑water strengths — uses waters of known calcium hardness (prepared per ISO 2174) to allow comparative assessment at different hardness levels.
• Test solution preparation — prepare a mother (stock) solution and perform serial dilutions to obtain a range of concentrations for assessment.
• Observation conditions — specified temperature and rest time (e.g., room temperature or, where applicable, ≈50 °C) and visual scoring of clearness/opalescence/cloudiness/precipitation.
• Scoring and reporting — observations are recorded and expressed as a stability rating (the standard provides a simple scoring scheme and ways to summarise results for comparative or QC purposes).
• Applicable equipment and references — ordinary laboratory glassware, pipettes (ISO/R 835) and thermostatic baths where elevated temperature tests are required.

Typical use and users

Used by detergent and cleaner formulators, chemical manufacturers, QC laboratories, research & development groups and test laboratories that need a quick comparative assessment of surfactant behaviour in waters of varying hardness. Typical applications include product development, batch quality control and specification checks where hard‑water performance is relevant.

Related standards

Referenced and related documents include ISO 2174 (Preparation of water with known calcium hardness) and ISO/R 835 (graduated pipettes). Later or related regional standards addressing surfactant stability (and similar test approaches) include EN 12458 and several other ISO standards in the surface‑active agents series. The ISO record also notes that ISO 1063 replaced earlier ISO/R 1063 (1969).

Keywords

ISO 1063:1974; surface active agents; surfactant; hard water; stability test; calcium hardness; visual assessment; quality control; ISO 2174.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 1063:1974 is an international standard that defines a laboratory method to determine the stability of surface‑active agents (surfactants) when mixed with waters of defined calcium hardness.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers preparation of test mixtures (stock solutions and dilutions), use of standard hard‑water strengths, observation conditions (temperature, standing time) and a simple visual scoring/reporting system to indicate whether a surfactant remains clear or exhibits opalescence, cloudiness or precipitation. The method is aimed at agents soluble at 20 °C and can be extended to those soluble at ≈50 °C.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Detergent and cleaner formulators, surfactant manufacturers, QC and testing laboratories, and R&D groups concerned with product performance in hard water.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO lists ISO 1063:1974 as a published International Standard; the ISO entry shows the document was reviewed and confirmed in recent ISO reviews (confirmed status). Users should check with their national standards body or ISO for the most current status before specifying the method in formal procurement or regulatory documents.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of ISO work on surface‑active agents (ISO/TC 91). It explicitly references related documents such as ISO 2174 (preparation of hard waters) and ISO/R 835 (pipettes); other ISO standards deal with related surfactant analyses and properties.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Surf actants, surface active agents, hard water, calcium hardness, stability test, visual observation, ISO 1063:1974, quality control.