ASTM D6287-17

Standard Practice for Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Specimens

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Many test methods including Test Methods D882, D2838, F88, F1921/F1921M, and F2029 require the use of narrow strips of varying length. The quality of the sample preparation directly affects test results. This practice describes three techniques for preparing samples with straight, clean, parallel edges with no visible imperfections.  
Note 2: After cutting, each specimen should be examined visually to insure the edges are undamaged (free of nicks). On a periodic basis specimen edge quality should be evaluated by microscopic examination. To determine when cutting blades need to be replaced or sharpened, a control chart of tensile strength and percent elongation at break (see Test Method D882) of a uniform material may be maintained. Tensile strength and percent elongation at break will decrease as the quality of specimen cutting decreases.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers equipment and techniques for cutting film and sheeting specimens for testing.2 The specimens are nick-free, non-stretched and can be rapidly prepared.  
1.2 The values given in SI units are to be considered standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2017
• ICS: 25.100.01 - Cutting tools in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.19 - Film, Sheeting, and Molded Products

Relations

• Referred By: ASTM D6988-21 - Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D2838-18 - Standard Test Method for Shrink Tension and Orientation Release Stress of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D882-18 - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2017

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6287 − 17
Standard Practice for
1
Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6287; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* F1921/F1921M Test Methods for Hot Seal Strength (Hot
Tack) of Thermoplastic Polymers and Blends Comprising
1.1 This practice covers equipment and techniques for
2 the Sealing Surfaces of Flexible Webs
cutting film and sheeting specimens for testing. The speci-
F2029 Practices for Making Laboratory Heat Seals for
mens are nick-free, non-stretched and can be rapidly prepared.
Determination of Heat Sealability of Flexible Barrier
1.2 The values given in SI units are to be considered
Materials as Measured by Seal Strength
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
3. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Many test methods including Test Methods D882,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D2838, F88, F1921/F1921M, and F2029 require the use of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
narrow strips of varying length. The quality of the sample
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
preparation directly affects test results. This practice describes
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
three techniques for preparing samples with straight, clean,
parallel edges with no visible imperfections.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- NOTE 2—After cutting, each specimen should be examined visually to
insure the edges are undamaged (free of nicks). On a periodic basis
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
specimen edge quality should be evaluated by microscopic examination.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
To determine when cutting blades need to be replaced or sharpened, a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
control chart of tensile strength and percent elongation at break (see Test
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Method D882) of a uniform material may be maintained. Tensile strength
and percent elongation at break will decrease as the quality of specimen
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
cutting decreases.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Apparatus and Materials
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 Procedure A—A hand rotatable drum cutter (Fig. 1)
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
containing a 12.7 cm (5 in.) diameter drum with grooves at
Sheeting
12.7 mm (0.5 in.) intervals and a blade holder allowing a blade
D2838 Test Method for Shrink Tension and Orientation
to ride in each groove or be raised above the groove.
Release Stress of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting (With-
4
4.2 Procedure B—A dual blade shear cutter (Fig. 2) with
drawn 2018)
parallelismtoleranceswithin0.0254mm(0.001in.).Thecutter
F88 Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier
cuts individual strips of a particular sample width.
Materials
4.3 Procedure C—Dies with replacable razor-blade cutters
are available in many different specimen configurations. The
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and dies are equipped with a spring-loaded mechanism that allows
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting, and Molded
easy specimen removal. These dies are mounted on either a
Products.
manual or pneumatic press and provide easy replacement of
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2017. Published January 2018. Originally
worn cutting elements.
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D6287 - 09. DOI:
10.1520/D6287-17.
4.4 Scissors.
2
This practice does not cover all types of techniques which may be used for
cutting film and sheeting specimens.
4.5 Marker.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM 4.6 Tape.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
5. Procedure
4
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. 5.1 Procedure A:
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. Un
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6287 − 09 D6287 − 17
Standard Practice for
1
Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6287; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
2
1.1 This practice covers equipment and techniques for cutting film and sheeting specimens for testing. The specimens are
nick-free, non-stretched and can be rapidly prepared.
1.2 The values given in SI units are to be considered standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
4
D2838 Test Method for Shrink Tension and Orientation Release Stress of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting (Withdrawn 2018)
F88 Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials
F1921/F1921M Test Methods for Hot Seal Strength (Hot Tack) of Thermoplastic Polymers and Blends Comprising the Sealing
Surfaces of Flexible Webs
F2029 Practices for Making Laboratory Heat Seals for Determination of Heat Sealability of Flexible Barrier Materials as
Measured by Seal Strength
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Many test methods including Test Methods D882, D2838, F88and, F88F1921/F1921M, and F2029 require the use of narrow
strips of varying length. The quality of the sample preparation directly affects test results. This practice describes twothree
techniques for preparing samples with straight, clean, parallel edges with no visible imperfections.
NOTE 2—After cutting, each specimen should be examined visually to insure the edges are undamaged (free of nicks). On a periodic basis specimen
edge quality should be evaluated by microscopic examination. To determine when cutting blades need to be replaced or sharpened, a control chart of
tensile strength and percent elongation at break (see Test Method D882) of a uniform material may be maintained. Tensile strength and percent elongation
at break will decrease as the quality of specimen cutting decreases.
4. Apparatus and Materials
4.1 Procedure A—A hand rotatable drum cutter (Fig. 1) containing a 12.7 cm (5 in.) diameter drum with grooves at 12.7 mm
,
(0.5 in.) intervals and a blade holder allowing a blade to ride in each groove or be raised above the groove.
NOTE 3—Plas-Tech in Boston offered a rotary drum cutter in the 1950’s and 1960’s which was shown to be an excellent instrument with respect to
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film and SheetingFilm, Sheeting,
and Molded Products.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009Dec. 15, 2017. Published September 2009January 2018. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20052009
as D6287 - 05.D6287 - 09. DOI: 10.1520/D6287-09.10.1520/D6287-17.
2
This practice does not cover all types of techniques which may be used for cutting film and sheeting specimens.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
4
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6287 − 17
FIG. 1 Hand Rotatable Drum Cutter
7
yielding nick free non-stretched film specimen(s) at high rates. Ho
...