DIN EN ISO 13468-2 2021-09 PDF

Full title and description

STB DIN EN ISO 13468-2: Plastics — Determination of the total luminous transmittance of transparent materials — Part 2: Double-beam instrument. This is the German/adopted European version of ISO 13468-2:2021, specifying a test procedure using a double‑beam scanning spectrophotometer to measure total luminous transmittance in the visible spectral region for planar transparent and substantially colourless plastics (films, sheets, mouldings).

Abstract

This document gives the method for determining total luminous transmittance (visible region) of planar transparent and substantially colourless plastics using a double‑beam instrument. It excludes materials containing fluorescent substances and is intended for specimens up to 10 mm thick (measurements on thicker specimens are possible only if the instrument accommodates them, but such results are not directly comparable).

General information

• Status: Published / Adopted (ISO edition published June 2021; DIN/EN adoption published September 2021).
• Publication date: ISO: 2021-06 (ISO 13468-2:2021); DIN EN ISO adoption: 2021-09-01 (national/European publication dates vary by body).
• Publisher: International origin: ISO (ISO/TC 61/SC 5); national/European publisher: Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) as DIN EN ISO 13468-2.
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 (Plastics in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (ISO 13468-2:2021); adopted as EN/DIN version in 2021 (administrative national publication records may show later imprint dates such as 2022 for the DIN print edition).
• Number of pages: ISO version: 7 pages (ISO core text); national/EN/DIN published texts typically include editorial/front matter and run to c. 14–15 pages depending on publisher.

Scope

Specifies the procedure and equipment requirements for measuring the total luminous transmittance of transparent and substantially colourless plastics in the visible wavelength range using a double‑beam scanning spectrophotometer. Not applicable to plastics containing fluorescent whitening agents; applies to mouldings, films and sheets up to 10 mm thickness (measurements on thicker specimens allowed only when instrument can accommodate them, with non‑comparable results).

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and expression of total luminous transmittance in the visible spectral region.
• Apparatus: requirements and configuration for double‑beam scanning spectrophotometers (instrumental stability, reference beam, detector and illumination characteristics).
• Specimen preparation, conditioning (standard laboratory temperature/humidity) and recommended specimen thickness limits (≤ 10 mm for comparable results).
• Measurement procedure: calibration, baseline/reference measurements, sample placement and spectral integration to obtain luminous transmittance values.
• Limitations: exclusion of fluorescent materials and guidance about comparability when measuring specimens of different thicknesses.
• Expression of results, precision and test reporting requirements.

Typical use and users

Used by materials testing laboratories, plastics manufacturers, quality control and R&D departments, product certifiers and regulatory bodies to verify optical transparency / light transmittance of films, sheets and transparent mouldings. It is referenced in procurement specifications, internal QA procedures and when comparing instrument results (double‑beam vs single‑beam methods).

Related standards

ISO 13468 series (Part 1 — single‑beam instrument) and earlier EN/ISO editions. ISO 13468-1 (single‑beam method; newer edition available) and EN/ISO 13468-2:2006 (superseded) are directly related; users should consult ISO 13468-1 for single‑beam procedures and national EN adoptions for harmonized European text.

Keywords

total luminous transmittance, light transmittance, transparency, plastics testing, double‑beam spectrophotometer, optical properties, test method, ISO 13468-2, EN ISO, DIN adoption.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: An ISO test method (adopted as DIN EN ISO) for measuring the total luminous transmittance of transparent and substantially colourless plastics using a double‑beam scanning spectrophotometer.

Q: What does it cover?

A: The apparatus requirements, specimen conditioning, measurement procedure, calculation and reporting of total luminous transmittance in the visible spectrum; it excludes plastics containing fluorescent materials and is intended for specimens up to about 10 mm thick.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Testing and calibration laboratories, plastics manufacturers (QA/QC and R&D), standards bodies and product certification organisations that need repeatable, comparable transmittance data for transparent plastics.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The ISO edition ISO 13468-2:2021 (Edition 2) is the current ISO text (published June 2021). National/European adoptions (DIN/EN) were published/adopted during late 2021 and some publishers show administrative imprint dates in 2022 for the DIN/EN printed versions; earlier EN/ISO versions (e.g., EN ISO 13468-2:2006) have been superseded by the 2021 edition. Users should check their national standards body for the officially in-force national status and any withdrawal notices.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 13468 is a multi‑part set. Part 1 covers single‑beam instrumentation (ISO 13468-1) and Part 2 covers double‑beam instruments (this document). Refer to both parts when comparing methods or selecting an appropriate instrument/procedure.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: total luminous transmittance; transmittance; transparency; plastics; spectrophotometer; double‑beam; test method; ISO 13468-2; DIN EN ISO.