ASTM D2673-14(2022)

Standard Specification for Oriented Polypropylene Film

ABSTRACT
This specification covers uniaxially, biaxially, or balanced oriented polypropylene (OPP) films in a specified thickness range. Films can contain colorants, stabilizers, or other additives, and can be coated for the improvement of performance properties such as heat sealability, gas permeability, and so forth. Films can also be annealed (heat-set) to reduce the unrestrained linear shrinkage and shrink tension on exposure to heat. The base polymer shall be a Group 1 or 2 polypropylene (PP), or a blend of such with one or more other polymers, provided the PP fraction is the main component. Films shall adhere to physical requirements as defined for appearance, blocking, thickness, package yield, width, length, and requirements for those intended for the packaging of food, drugs, and cosmetics. For characterization purposes, this specification provides a cell classification based on six performance parameters characterized by a code designation (1 to 6), as follows: (1) coefficient of friction; (2) unrestrained linear thermal shrinkage; (3) wetting tension; (4) heat-sealability; (5) gloss; (6) haze.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers oriented polypropylene (OPP) film in the thickness range from 10 to 75 μm (0.4 to 3.0 mils).  
1.2 The film can contain colorants, stabilizers, or other additives, and can be coated for the improvement of performance properties (heat sealability, gas permeability, and so forth).  
1.3 The film can be annealed (heat-set) to reduce the unrestrained linear shrinkage and shrink tension on exposure to heat.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 7, 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, 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.  
1.6 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-Mar-2022
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.19 - Film, Sheeting, and Molded Products

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-24 - Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM D4101-24 - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-23 - Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D2732-14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal Shrinkage of Plastic Film<brk/> and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM E1870-11(2019) - Standard Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from Polymeric Packaging Film
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM D2838-18 - Standard Test Method for Shrink Tension and Orientation Release Stress of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2018
• Refers: ASTM D5946-17 - Standard Test Method for Corona-Treated Polymer Films Using Water Contact Angle Measurements
• Effective Date: 01-May-2017
• Refers: ASTM D3892-15 - Standard Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015
• Refers: ASTM D4321-15 - Standard Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2015
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-15 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2015
• Refers: ASTM D2732-14 - Standard Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal Shrinkage of Plastic Film<brk/> and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-14 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2014
• Refers: ASTM D4101-14e1 - Standard Specification for Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Refers: ASTM D4101-14 - Standard Specification for Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-13 - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013

Overview

ASTM D2673-14(2022): Standard Specification for Oriented Polypropylene Film sets requirements for the physical and performance characteristics of oriented polypropylene (OPP) film. Developed by ASTM International, this standard applies to OPP films in thicknesses ranging from 10 to 75 μm (0.4 to 3.0 mils). The specification addresses uniaxially, biaxially, or balanced oriented films, including those with additives and functional coatings. It offers guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers to ensure consistent quality and performance, which is essential for applications in packaging, particularly for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.

Key Topics

• Material Scope: Covers Group 1 or 2 polypropylene (PP) or blends where PP is the main component.
• Performance Properties: OPP films may incorporate colorants, stabilizers, coatings, and other additives to enhance properties such as heat sealability and gas permeability.
• Annealing: Films can be heat-set (annealed) to minimize shrinkage and tension when exposed to heat.
• Physical Requirements: Specifies standards for appearance (freedom from defects), thickness, width, length, package yield, and blocking resistance.
• Classification System: Provides a six-parameter cell classification system for OPP film based on:
  • Coefficient of friction
  • Linear thermal shrinkage
  • Wetting tension
  • Heat-sealability
  • Gloss
  • Haze
• Food, Drug & Cosmetic Compliance: Films intended for these applications must meet relevant regulatory requirements.
• Testing Methods: Refers to a variety of ASTM test methods for characterization of properties including tensile strength, transparency, haze, blocking, and gas permeability.

Applications

Oriented polypropylene film is widely used due to its high tensile strength, clarity, barrier properties, and processability. Typical applications include:

• Flexible Packaging: Used for food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics due to its excellent oxygen and moisture barrier properties.
• Labeling: Employed as labeling stock because of its printability and durability.
• Overwraps: Common in wraps for candy, snack foods, and bakery items, leveraging high gloss and clarity.
• Lamination: Suitable for lamination with other materials to produce high-performance packaging films.
• Industrial Uses: Applied in industrial settings where moisture resistance and mechanical strength are required.

The physicochemical characteristics specified by ASTM D2673-14(2022) support optimal performance in these demanding environments, ensuring reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Related Standards

The following ASTM standards are frequently referenced or relevant for compliant OPP film:

• ASTM D882: Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
• ASTM D1003: Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
• ASTM D1894: Test Method for Coefficient of Friction
• ASTM D2732: Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal Shrinkage
• ASTM D2457: Test Method for Specular Gloss
• ASTM D1922: Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance
• ASTM D6988: Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film
• ASTM D2578: Test Method for Wetting Tension
• ASTM D4321: Test Method for Package Yield
• ASTM F88/F88M: Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials
• ASTM D3354: Test Method for Blocking Load

These standards collectively help define the quality, performance, and suitability of OPP films in various commercial and regulatory contexts.

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Keywords: ASTM D2673, oriented polypropylene film, OPP film specification, polypropylene film standard, packaging film, food packaging compliance, film classification, OPP testing methods, ASTM International standards.

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:D2673 −14 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Specification for
Oriented Polypropylene Film
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2673; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D1003Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance
of Transparent Plastics
1.1 This specification covers oriented polypropylene (OPP)
D1434TestMethodforDeterminingGasPermeabilityChar-
film in the thickness range from 10 to 75 µm (0.4 to 3.0 mils).
acteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
1.2 The film can contain colorants, stabilizers, or other
D1746Test Method for Transparency of Plastic Sheeting
additives, and can be coated for the improvement of perfor-
D1894Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of
mance properties (heat sealability, gas permeability, and so
Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
forth).
D1922Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of
1.3 The film can be annealed (heat-set) to reduce the
Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
unrestrainedlinearshrinkageandshrinktensiononexposureto
D2457Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and
heat.
Solid Plastics
D2578TestMethodforWettingTensionofPolyethyleneand
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Polypropylene Films
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
D2732 Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal
only.
Shrinkage of Plastic Film and Sheeting
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
D2838Test Method for Shrink Tension and Orientation
test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification: This
Release Stress of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
D3354TestMethodforBlockingLoadofPlasticFilmbythe
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
Parallel Plate Method
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
D3892Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
D3985Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate
regulatory limitations prior to use.
Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
Sensor
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
D4000Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materi-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
als
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
D4101Classification System and Basis for Specification for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
D4321Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
D5946Test Method for Corona-Treated Polymer Films Us-
ing Water Contact Angle Measurements
2. Referenced Documents
D6988GuideforDeterminationofThicknessofPlasticFilm
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Test Specimens
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
E96/E96MTest Methods for Gravimetric Determination of
D882Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
Sheeting
E1870Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from
Polymeric Packaging Film
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
F88/F88MTestMethodforSealStrengthofFlexibleBarrier
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting,
Materials
and Molded Products.
Current edition approved March 15, 2022. Published March 2022. Originally
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D2673-14. DOI:
3. Terminology
10.1520/D2673-14R22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.1.1 nominal thickness, width, yield—target values to be as
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. agreed upon between the seller and the purchaser.
*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
D2673−14 (2022)
A
TABLE 1 Cell Classification for OPP Film
Cell Limits
Designation
Film Property
Order
0 1234
1 Coefficient of friction unspecified <0.20 0.20 to 0.35 0.35 to 0.50 >0.50
2 Linear thermal shrinkage unrestrained, 120°C, % unspecified 0 to 3 >3 to 6 >6 to 20 >20
3 Wetting tension, dyne/cm unspecified <38 $38
4 Heat-sealability, g/mm unspecified 4 to 10 $10 to 25 >25
5 Gloss, 45° unspecified 50 min 70 min 85 min
6 Haze, % unspecified 15 max 7 max 3 max
A
With this type of classification it is possible to assemble on paper a combination of properties that is impossible to obtain with the present state of technology.Apurchaser
wishing to use this specification for the first time will probably find it necessary to contact suppliers to learn what materials are commercially available. After establishing
which available material(s) meet the requirements of the application, the purchaser can then specify the material by the appropriate cell classification.
3.1.2 oriented polypropylene (OPP) film—a film yielding a 4.8 Food-Packaging Requirements—Films intended for the
minimum tensile strength of 68 MPa (10000 psi) in at least packaging of food, drugs, and cosmetics shall comply with the
one principal direction (machine or transverse). requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and CosmeticAct as
amended.
3.1.2.1 balancedorientedPPfilm(OPP-B)—afilminwhich
the machine- and transverse-direction tensile strength both
5. Specific Requirements
exceed 68 MPa (10000 psi), but do not differ by more than
55MPa(8000psi),andthemachineandtransverseelongations
5.1 The film material shall comply with the definition of
do not differ by more than 60% (absolute).
oriented PP film (see 3.1).
3.1.2.2 biaxially oriented PP film (OPP-X)—afilminwhich
5.2 For the characterization of commercial PP film, this
the machine- and transverse-direction tensile strengths both
specification provides a cell classification based on six perfor-
exceed 68 MPa (10000 psi).
mance parameters, as defined in Table 1. Thus, each film is
3.1.2.3 uniaxially oriented PP film (OPP-U)—a film ori-
characterized by a code designation consisting of
...