ISO 4590-2016 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 4590:2016 — Rigid cellular plastics — Determination of the volume percentage of open cells and of closed cells. This International Standard specifies a reproducible laboratory procedure for determining the volume fraction of open and closed cells in rigid cellular plastics by measuring specimen geometrical volume and the air‑impenetrable volume, applying corrections for surface cells opened during specimen preparation, and reporting both apparent and corrected open/closed‑cell percentages.

Abstract

ISO 4590:2016 defines test principles, apparatus and three alternative measurement methods (Method 1: pressure‑variation/pyknometer; Method 2a and 2b: volume‑expansion techniques) to obtain the volume impenetrable to air (Vi) and the geometrical volume (Vg) of test specimens. The standard covers specimen preparation, conditioning, calibration, measurement procedure, calculation (including correction for cells opened by cutting) and reporting requirements so that open‑cell and closed‑cell percentages can be reported reproducibly for quality control, research and specification.

General information

• Status: Published (international standard; edition confirmed).
• Publication date: 14 July 2016.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.100 (Cellular materials).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 — 2016.
• Number of pages: 22.

(General information above based on ISO bibliographic details and official record.)

Scope

Specifies a general laboratory procedure to determine the volume percentage of open cells and of closed cells in rigid cellular plastics. The procedure requires measurement of specimen geometrical volume (Vg) and air‑impenetrable volume (Vi), calculation of apparent open‑cell content, and correction for surface cells opened by cutting (extrapolation to zero surface/volume ratio) to obtain the corrected open‑cell percentage and complementary closed‑cell percentage. Three alternative methods for measuring Vi and associated apparatus, calibration and precision requirements are given. The standard is intended for material characterization, quality control and comparative testing of rigid foams.

Key topics and requirements

• Measurement principle: determination of Vi using controlled gas methods (Boyle–Mariotte principle) and of Vg from specimen dimensions; calculations to yield apparent and corrected open/closed‑cell percentages.
• Three measurement methods: Method 1 — pressure variation (pyknometer/pressure chamber); Method 2a — volume expansion (original technique); Method 2b — volume expansion with modernized apparatus and calibration.
• Specimen preparation and testing: minimum specimens and replicates defined, cutting recommendations (avoid hot‑wire cutting for some tests), removal of dust/skins and sectioning patterns to allow surface/volume extrapolation; conditioning and controlled test atmosphere requirements prior to measurement.
• Calculations and corrections: formulae for apparent open‑cell percentage (ω = (Vg − Vi) / Vg × 100), graphical extrapolation of ω versus surface/volume ratio to obtain corrected open‑cell percentage (ω0), and closed‑cell percentage (ψ0 = 100 − ω0).
• Calibration, precision and reporting: apparatus calibration procedures, precision/statistics guidance, and a required set of information for test reports to ensure traceability and comparability.

Typical use and users

Used by materials testing laboratories, foam manufacturers and formulators, R&D teams, quality‑control personnel, certification bodies and specifiers in industries that use rigid cellular plastics (e.g., thermal insulation, packaging, automotive and specialty foam products). The standard is applied for product characterization, incoming/outgoing quality control, comparative benchmarking and research on foam structure.

Related standards

Key related documents and series include the previous edition ISO 4590:2002 (withdrawn/replaced by the 2016 edition), other ISO/TC 61/SC 10 test methods for cellular materials (for example ISO 845 — Determination of apparent density) and adopted regional variants (EN/SS/ national adoptions of ISO 4590). Users commonly consult complementary test methods for density, thermal and mechanical properties when characterizing rigid foams.

Keywords

rigid cellular plastics; rigid foam; open cells; closed cells; open‑cell percentage; closed‑cell percentage; air‑impenetrable volume; Vi; geometrical volume; Vg; pyknometer; pressure variation; volume expansion; specimen conditioning; foam testing; ISO/TC 61/SC 10.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 4590:2016 is an International Standard that defines a laboratory procedure to determine the volume percentage of open and closed cells in rigid cellular plastics (rigid foams).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement principles, three alternative methods for measuring the air‑impenetrable volume (Vi), specimen preparation and conditioning, calculations (including correction for cells opened by cutting), apparatus calibration, precision and required reporting information so results are reproducible and comparable.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Material testing laboratories, foam manufacturers and formulators, R&D groups, quality assurance teams, certification bodies and product specifiers in industries using rigid cellular plastics (e.g., insulation, packaging, automotive).

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2016 edition (Edition 3) is the current published edition; ISO records show ISO 4590:2016 as published on 14 July 2016 and the edition was reviewed/confirmed in the ISO maintenance cycle (confirmation noted in 2021). The 2016 edition replaces ISO 4590:2002. Users should confirm any future revisions or national adoptions before relying on the standard for compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is one of the suite of test methods produced under ISO/TC 61/SC 10 for cellular plastics; related test standards (density, mechanical, thermal and other structural property tests) are commonly used alongside ISO 4590 for full material characterization.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Rigid cellular plastics, open cells, closed cells, Vi, Vg, pyknometer, pressure variation, volume expansion, specimen conditioning, foam testing, ISO/TC 61/SC 10.