Standard Number: GB/T 14189-2015
Date of Publication: September 11, 2015
Date of Implementation: April 1, 2016
Replaces Standard: GB/T 14189-2008
Standard Classification: ICS 59.060.20, W 51
Issued by: General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China, Standardization Administration of China
1 Scope
This standard specifies the product classification, requirements, test methods, inspection rules, markings, packaging, transportation, and storage requirements for fiber-grade polyester chips (PET). It is applicable to the production of bright, semi-dull, and full-dull fiber-grade polyester chips (PET) using terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol as raw materials. Other fiber-grade polyester chips may refer to this standard.
2 Normative References
The following documents are essential for the application of this document. For referenced documents with specified dates, only the version with the specified date applies to this document. For referenced documents without specified dates, the latest version (including all amendments) applies to this document.
GB/T 4146.3 Textiles – Man-made fibers – Part 3: Terms for Inspection
GB/T 6678 General Principles for Sampling Chemical Products
GB/T 6679 General Rules for Sampling Solid Chemical Products
GB/T 8170 Rules of Rounding Off for Numerical Values and Expression and Judgment of Limiting Values
GB/T 14190-2008 Test Methods for Fiber-Grade Polyester Chips (PET)
3 Terms and Definitions
The terms and definitions defined in GB/T 4146.3 and the following terms and definitions apply to this document.
3.1 Bright Polyester Chip (PET)
Polyester chips (PET) without dulling treatment.
3.2 Semi-Dull Polyester Chip (PET)
Polyester chips (PET) with a titanium dioxide content greater than 0.20% and less than or equal to 0.50% (mass fraction).
3.3 Full-Dull Polyester Chip (PET)
Polyester chips (PET) with a titanium dioxide content greater than or equal to 1.50% (mass fraction).
3.4 Irregular Chip
Polyester chips (PET) with a length greater than or equal to four times that of normal chips, thickness, width, or diameter greater than or equal to twice that of normal chips, and less than one-fourth of regular particles (or specified size), with irregular shapes.
3.5 Agglomerate Particle
Particles in polyester chips with a size greater than or equal to 10μm.
3.6 Powder Dust
Debris passing through a standard sieve with a mesh size of 833μm.
4 Product Classification
Fiber-grade polyester chips (PET) are classified into bright, semi-dull, and full-dull based on their titanium dioxide content. (In addition to the national classification system, we commonly encounter several other categories, as detailed in my article Classification of PET Chips.)
5 Requirements
5.1 Product Grades
Fiber-grade polyester chips (PET) are classified into three grades: premium, first-class, and qualified. Those below the qualified grade are considered substandard.
5.2 Performance Indicators
Performance items and indicators are listed in Table 1.
(In another article of mine, I elaborated on the specific meanings of different parameters in detail. For more information, click here.)
6 Test Methods
The execution shall follow the provisions of GB/T 14190-2008. The representation of all performance indicators shall comply with the significant figure rules specified in Table 1, and rounding shall be performed according to the general principles of rounding in GB/T 8170.
7 Inspection Rules
7.1 Type of Inspection
The inspection types include type inspection and factory inspection.
Type inspection shall be conducted under the following circumstances:
a) During the specified periodic inspections;
b) When there are changes in production design, technology, or raw materials that may affect product quality;
c) When there is a significant difference between the results of factory inspection and the last type of inspection;
d) When the national inspection agency requires a type of inspection.
7.2 Inspection Items
7.2.1 All performance items in Table 1 are type inspection items.
7.2.2 Seven performance indicators, including inherent viscosity, carboxyl end group content, color, diethylene glycol content, powder, irregular chips, and titanium dioxide content, are factory inspection items. The rest are periodic inspection items.
7.3 Batching Rules
Within a certain range, samples are grouped into inspection batch numbers through periodic sampling. A production batch may consist of one inspection batch or several inspection batches.
7.4 Sampling Requirements
7.4.1 For factory inspection, samples are automatically drawn by the online sampler or manually drawn at certain time intervals on the production line.
7.4.2 Sampling of packaged products shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 6679, and the number of samples shall comply with GB/T 6678.
7.4.3 The sample quantity for testing shall not be less than 500g, and for arbitration, the sample quantity shall not be less than 1000g.
7.5 Judgment Rules
7.5.1 The measured or calculated values of performance items shall be compared with the rounding values in GB/T 8170 and the limit values in Table 1 to determine the grade.
7.5.2 Grade determination shall be done item by item, and the lowest grade in each performance indicator shall determine the overall grade of the batch of products.
7.6 Re-inspection Rules
7.6.1 Upon receipt of the product, the outer packaging, counting, quality, and invoice shall be promptly checked for consistency. If the quality is affected due to transportation or storage, the responsibility shall be identified, and the responsible party shall be held accountable.
If the product quality is found to be inconsistent with the quality report or the quantity is not in accordance within three months of receipt, a request for re-inspection can be submitted. However, if more than one-third of the batch has been used, re-inspection should not be applied.
If the receiving party can provide relevant evidence proving that the batch of products does affect the quality of the subsequent processing products and causes serious losses, the reasons should be analyzed, responsibilities determined, and mutually agreed upon for resolution. When necessary, arbitration can be requested.
7.6.2 Inspection Items
Same as 7.2. In arbitration, if there are items involving two or more test methods, the A method in the relevant test method of GB/T 14190-2008 shall be used for testing in principle. If both parties agree, the B method can be adopted.
7.6.3 Batching Rules
Grouped by the original production batch number.
7.6.4 Sampling Requirements
Same as 7.4.
7.6.5 Re-inspection Evaluation
7.6.5.1 The measured or calculated values of performance items shall be compared with the rounding values in GB/T 8170 and the limit values in Table 1 to determine the grade.
7.6.5.2 The overall grade of the product shall be evaluated according to 7.5.2. If it is equal to or higher than the original grade, it is deemed compliant; if it is lower than the original grade, it is deemed non-compliant.
8 Marking
Information such as product name, specifications, grade, batch number, net weight, production date, product standard number, trademark, producer name, address, and relevant warnings for product protection and handling shall be marked on the packaging.
9 Packaging, Transportation, and Storage
9.1 Packaging
9.1.1 Products are shipped in the form of packaged bags or tank trucks. The packaging bags shall be woven bags with inner lining. Polyethylene dustproof film may be added according to user requirements, and the transport vehicle should be clean and dry.
9.1.2 Each batch of products shall be accompanied by a product certificate.
9.2 Transportation
The product is non-hazardous. During transportation and loading and unloading processes, it shall comply with the prescribed product warning signs, and preventive measures shall be taken to prevent the product from being soaked, exposed to the sun, polluted, and the packaging from being damaged. No throwing or dropping is allowed.
9.3 Storage
Products, when stored in batches, should be placed in warehouses that are cool, dry, well-ventilated, and equipped with fire-fighting facilities. They should be kept away from heat sources and shielded from direct sunlight.
