Abstract

This specification covers the classification of polyethylene film and sheeting. Recycled polyethylene film or resin may be used as feedstock, and the film or sheeting may contain additives for surface property improvement, pigments, or stabilizers, or a combination of these, but they must conform to the requirements specified. Material covered in this specification shall be designated by a five-digit type number, with each numeral (from 0 to 5) indicating the cell limit within which the values of the density, impact strength, kinetic coefficient of friction, haze, and nominal thickness of the material falls under. The sheet or film shall be manufactured free, as commercially possible, of gels, streaks, pinholes, particles of foreign matter, and undispersed raw material, and without any other visible defects such as holes, tears, or blisters. The edges of the sheet or film shall be free of nicks and cuts. The surface of the sheet or film may also be treated by flame, corona discharge, or other means to improve the surface properties. Tests to determine the density, impact strength, kinetic coefficient of friction, haze, and nominal thickness of the material shall be performed and shall conform to the requirements specified.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers the classification of polyethylene film and sheeting up to 0.3 mm (0.012 in.) in thickness, inclusive. The film or sheeting may contain additives for the improvement of the surface properties, pigments, or stabilizers, or combinations thereof.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in brackets are for information only.

1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 8, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This specification allows for the use of recycled polyethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long as all the requirements as governed by the producer and end user are also met (see Note 1).

Note 1Guide D7209 describes terminology and definitions related to recycled plastics.

Note 2There is no known ISO equivalent to this specification.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation

D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing

D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement

D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting

D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics

D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics

D1434 Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting

D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique

D1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method

D1746 Test Method for Transparency of Plastic Sheeting

D1894 Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting

D1922 Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method

D1938 Test Method for Tear-Propagation Resistance (Trouser Tear) of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by a Single-Tear Method

D2457 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics

D2578 Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films

D2839 Practice for Use of a Melt Index Strand for Determining Density of Polyethylene

D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics

D4321 Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film

D4703 Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets

D4976 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials

D7209 Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products

E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials

F1249 Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor

Keywords

ethylene plastics; polyethylene film; polyethylene plastics; polyethylene sheeting; recycling; Polyethylene (PE) sheet and film--specifications; Plastic sheet and film--specifications; Thickness--plastics; Transmittance and reflectance--plastics; Yield--plastic sheet and film; Plastics--specifications;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 83.140.10 (Films and sheets)

DOI: 10.1520/D2103-10

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D2103