BS EN 12877-1-2000 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN 12877-1:2000 — Colouring materials in plastics — Determination of colour stability to heat during processing of colouring materials in plastics — Part 1: General introduction. This part provides an overview and common details for the test methods used to assess how colouring materials (pigments, dyes, concentrates) resist colour change when exposed to heat during typical plastic processing operations.

Abstract

Part 1 of EN 12877 gives a general introduction to the widely used procedures for determining colour stability of colouring materials in plastics under the influence of heat during processing. It defines details common to the test procedures described in subsequent parts and explains how to select an appropriate test method depending on the plastic type, processing method and end‑use requirements.

General information

• Status: Current / active as the published European standard and adopted nationally (catalogued as BS EN 12877-1:2000).
• Publication date: EN original published 1999 (EN 12877-1:1999); national adoptions commonly dated 2000 (BS EN 12877-1:2000 and other national editions in 2000–2001).
• Publisher: Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN); national adoption published by national bodies (for example BSI as BS EN 12877-1:2000).
• ICS / categories: 83.040.30 — Auxiliary materials and additives for plastics (colouring materials, pigments, concentrates).
• Edition / version: EN 12877-1 first published (1999 edition) and implemented nationally in 2000 (commonly referenced as BS EN 12877-1:2000).
• Number of pages: Typical national print/PDF editions indicate about 9–12 pages depending on publisher (many national reproductions list 9 or 12 pages).

Scope

This part gives a general introduction to the most widely used methods for determining colour stability to heat of colouring materials intended for use in plastics. It specifies details common to the various test methods described in later parts of the EN 12877 series (sample preparation, basic definitions, general test principles) and explains how to select an appropriate method according to the plastic matrix, processing route (e.g., extrusion, injection moulding) and end‑use requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• General introduction to test principles for heat-induced colour change in colouring materials used in plastics.
• Guidance on selecting suitable test methods based on polymer type, processing method and end use.
• Common requirements for sample preparation and reference depths (procedures to produce comparable samples for testing).
• Definition of measurement parameters for colour change (use of colour-difference metrics and reporting conventions).
• Reference to specific test procedures and subsequent parts of EN 12877 that cover defined processing simulations and instrumental methods.
• Annexes with example sample-making procedures and coefficients used in calculations (where provided in national copies).

Typical use and users

Used by pigment and colourant manufacturers, plastic compounders, masterbatch producers, quality control and testing laboratories, R&D departments working on colour formulations, and certification/standards bodies. The standard is referenced when assessing the thermal stability of colourants under typical processing conditions and when comparing test results across suppliers and laboratories.

Related standards

EN 12877 is a multi-part series; Part 1 is the general introduction and is complemented by Parts 2, 3, 4, etc., which give specific test procedures for particular processing simulations and measurement methods. Other related standards include national adoptions (BS EN 12877-1:2000, DIN EN 12877-1:2000, EVS-EN 12877-1:2000) and adjacent EN/ISO methods for pigment and colour testing used in building materials and plastics.

Keywords

colouring materials; pigments; dyes; plastics; colour stability; heat stability; processing; testing; sample preparation; colour difference; EN 12877-1; BS EN 12877-1:2000; CEN.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: EN 12877-1 (published as BS EN 12877-1:2000 in the UK) is the general-introduction part of a CEN series that defines principles and common requirements for testing the colour stability of colouring materials in plastics when exposed to heat during processing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the scope and common details of methods used to determine heat‑induced colour change of colouring materials during plastic processing, including sample preparation, selection criteria for specific test methods and reporting conventions; specific test procedures are given in subsequent parts of the series.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Pigment and colourant manufacturers, plastics compounders and masterbatch producers, independent testing and quality labs, product R&D teams, and standards/approval bodies assessing thermal colour stability for production and specification purposes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published and catalogued by national bodies, EN 12877-1 (and its national adoptions such as BS EN 12877-1:2000) is listed as the valid/current edition in public standards catalogues. Users should always check the national standards body catalogue for any amendments or later revisions before quoting the standard for regulatory or contractual purposes.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 12877 is a multi-part standard (Part 1 = general introduction; subsequent parts give specific test procedures and measurement methods). Consult EN 12877-2, EN 12877-3, EN 12877-4, etc., for specific test method details.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Colouring materials, pigments, dyes, plastics, colour stability, heat stability, processing simulation, test methods, colour-difference metrics, EN 12877-1, BS EN 12877-1:2000.