ISO 20795-1-2013 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 20795-1:2013 — Dentistry — Base polymers — Part 1: Denture base polymers. Specification that classifies denture base polymers and copolymers and sets requirements, test methods, packaging/marking and instructions for use for materials intended for denture bases (including materials for which improved impact resistance is claimed).

Abstract

This standard defines classification, required properties and test procedures for denture base polymers used in removable prosthodontics. It covers material quality (unpolymerized and polymerized), mechanical performance (flexural strength and modulus), dimensional stability, water sorption/solubility, residual monomer limits, bonding to polymer teeth, and optional impact-resistance criteria. The standard also specifies sampling, specimen preparation and pass/fail criteria, plus requirements for packaging, marking and user instructions.

General information

• Status: Published; in use (ISO 20795-1:2013). Review/revision activity by the ISO technical committee has been recorded following this edition.
• Publication date: 27 February 2013 (second edition, national/adopted publication dates may vary).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 11.060.10 (Dental materials / Dentistry).
• Edition / version: Second edition — ISO 20795-1:2013.
• Number of pages: Approximately 35 pages for the ISO English edition (pagination may differ in national/adopted or translated versions).

Scope

Specifies classification, essential properties and test methods for denture base polymers and copolymers intended for use in the fabrication of removable dentures. Applies to a wide range of polymer types (e.g., poly(acrylic acid esters), substituted acrylic esters, polyvinyls, polystyrene, rubber‑modified methacrylates, polycarbonates, polysulfones, polyacetals and relevant copolymers). Includes additional requirements and test methods for materials where the manufacturer claims improved impact resistance. Also defines requirements for packaging, marking and instructions for use.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification of denture base polymers by type (heat‑polymerizable, autopolymerizable, thermoplastic, light‑activated, microwave cured, etc.).
• Requirements for unpolymerized materials (homogeneity, freedom from sediment/foreign matter, packing/plasticity characteristics).
• Polymerized-material acceptance criteria: surface quality, colour and colour stability, translucency and freedom from porosity.
• Mechanical performance thresholds (examples from the standard): minimum ultimate flexural strength (typically ≥ 65 MPa for most types; ≥ 60 MPa for autopolymerizing types) and minimum flexural modulus (typically ≥ 2 000 MPa for most types; ≥ 1 500 MPa for autopolymerizing types).
• Limits on residual methyl methacrylate monomer and water sorption/solubility to control biocompatibility and dimensional behaviour.
• Optional impact-resistance requirements where claimed: fracture toughness / maximum stress intensity factor and total fracture work minima for “improved impact resistance” materials.
• Bonding requirements or manufacturer instructions when used with synthetic polymer teeth (reference to relevant artificial‑teeth requirements).
• Specified test methods, sampling rules, specimen preparation and pass/fail decision criteria for each requirement.
• Packaging, marking and information to be supplied for safe and effective use (including handling, processing and any limitations).

Typical use and users

Used by dental‑materials manufacturers (formulation, quality control and declarations), dental laboratories and technicians (material selection and processing), testing and calibration laboratories (type testing and conformity assessment), regulatory bodies and procurement specialists assessing material fitness for removable prostheses, and academic or R&D groups developing or benchmarking denture base polymers.

Related standards

Commonly referenced standards and normative documents associated with ISO 20795-1 include other parts of the ISO 20795 series (for example Part 2 — orthodontic base polymers), ISO 22112 (artificial teeth for dental prostheses), ISO 1942 (dental vocabulary) and various lab/practice standards that address test methods, water for laboratory use and biocompatibility evaluation. National adoptions (EN, BS, DIN, etc.) may include localized forewords or additional national normative references.

Keywords

dentistry, denture base, denture base polymers, prosthodontics, dental materials, base polymers, flexural strength, impact resistance, residual monomer, water sorption, test methods, ISO 20795

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 20795-1:2013 is the ISO international standard that specifies classification, required properties and test methods for denture base polymers used in removable dentures.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers unpolymerized and polymerized materials and sets criteria for appearance, mechanical performance (flexural strength/modulus), dimensional behaviour, residual monomer, bonding to polymer teeth, sampling and test methods, plus requirements for packaging, marking and user instructions. It also includes provisions for materials claiming improved impact resistance.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Material manufacturers, dental laboratories and technicians, testing laboratories, regulatory bodies, procurement teams and researchers in dental materials and prosthodontics.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document in question is the second edition published in 2013 (ISO 20795-1:2013) and remains the published edition. Note: ISO technical committees periodically review standards; a revision process or committee draft to update this part has been recorded after 2013. If you need the absolute latest position (for example whether a new edition has been published after 2013), check the ISO catalogue or your national standards body for updates and exact publication dates. (Date context in this summary: 28 February 2026.)

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 20795 is a multi‑part series on base polymers for dental applications. Part 1 covers denture base polymers; other parts (for example Part 2) address orthodontic base polymers and related material categories.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: dentistry; denture base; base polymers; prosthodontics; dental materials; flexural strength; impact resistance; residual monomer; water sorption; ISO 20795‑1.