ASTM D1004-08

Standard Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Tear resistance of plastic film or sheeting is a complex function of its ultimate resistance to rupture. The specimen geometry and speed of testing in this test method are controlled to produce tearing in a small area of stress concentration at rates far below those usually encountered in service. Experience has shown the test to have its best reliability for materials which do not have brittle failure or do not elongate greater than two hundred percent during testing.
The data from this test method furnish comparative information for ranking the tearing resistance of plastic specimens of similar composition. Actual use performance in tearing of some plastics may not necessarily correlate with data from this test method.
The resistance to tear of plastic film and sheeting, while partly dependent upon thickness, has no simple correlation with specimen thickness. Hence, tearing forces measured in newtons (or pounds-force) cannot be normalized over a wide range of specimen thickness without producing misleading data as to the actual tearing resistance of the material. Data from this test method are comparable only from specimens, which vary by no more than ±10 % from the nominal or average thickness of all specimens tested. Therefore, the tearing resistance is expressed in maximum newtons (or pounds-force) of force to tear the specimen.
The tear resistance of plastic film may be a specification that requires the use of this test method, but with some procedural modifications that take precedence when adhering to the specification. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to that material specification before using this test method. Table 1 of Classification System D 4000 lists the ASTM materials standards that currently exist.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tear resistance of flexible plastic film and sheeting at very low rates of loading, 51 mm (2 in.)/min. and is designed to measure the force to initiate tearing. The specimen geometry of this test method produces a stress concentration in a small area of the specimen. The maximum stress, usually found near the onset of tearing, is recorded as the tear resistance in newtons (or pounds-force). The method is not applicable for film or sheeting material where brittle failures occur during testing or where maximum extension is greater than 101.6 mm (4 in.).
Note 1—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
1.2 Constant-Rate-of-Grip Separation Test—This test method employs a constant rate of separation of the grips holding the test specimen.
1.2.1 Specimen extension may be measured in this test method by grip separation.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.
1.4 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.
Note 2—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2008
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.19 - Film, Sheeting, and Molded Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1004-07 - Standard Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D1004-09 - Standard Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D7613-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Flexible Polypropylene Reinforced (fPP-R) and Nonreinforced (fPP) Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D5047-17 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Terephthalate Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D6434-12(2018) - Standard Guide for the Selection of Test Methods for Flexible Polypropylene Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7008-08(2022) - Standard Specification for Geosynthetic Alternate Daily Covers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7176-22 - Standard Specification for Non-Reinforced Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Geomembranes Used in Buried Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F561-19 - Standard Practice for Retrieval and Analysis of Medical Devices, and Associated Tissues and Fluids
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4068-17(2022) - Standard Specification for Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) Sheeting for Concealed Water-Containment Membrane
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D8065/D8065M-16 - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Specifying Plastic Films
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7106/D7106M-05(2023) - Standard Guide for Selection of Test Methods for Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F790-23 - Standard Guide for Testing Materials for Aerospace Plastic Transparent Enclosures
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D1593-22 - Standard Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Plastic Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D2103-15 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D1922-23 - Standard Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D1004–08
Standard Test Method for
1
Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1004; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* D 882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
2 Sheeting
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tear
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
resistance of flexible plastic film and sheeting at very low rates
D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-
of loading, 51 mm (2 in.)/min. and is designed to measure the
rials
force to initiate tearing. The specimen geometry of this test
D 5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
method produces a stress concentration in a small area of the
Plastics Specimens
specimen.Themaximumstress,usuallyfoundneartheonsetof
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
tearing, is recorded as the tear resistance in newtons (or
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
pounds-force). The method is not applicable for film or
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
sheeting material where brittle failures occur during testing or
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
where maximum extension is greater than 101.6 mm (4 in.).
4
Die Drawings
NOTE 1—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal
thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
3. Terminology
1.2 Constant-Rate-of-Grip Separation Test—This test
3.1 Definitions:
method employs a constant rate of separation of the grips
Definitions of terms applying to this test method appear in
holding the test specimen.
Terminology D 883.
1.2.1 Specimen extension may be measured in this test
4. Summary of Test Method
method by grip separation.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 4.1 The force to initiate tearing across a specific geometry
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for of a film or sheeting specimen is measured using a constant-
information only.
rate-of-grip separation machine. The force necessary to initiate
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the the tear is calculated from the load-time or load-displacement
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
data.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 5.1 Tear resistance of plastic film or sheeting is a complex
function of its ultimate resistance to rupture. The specimen
NOTE 2—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
geometryandspeedoftestinginthistestmethodarecontrolled
to produce tearing in a small area of stress concentration at
2. Referenced Documents
3 rates far below those usually encountered in service. Experi-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ence has shown the test to have its best reliability for materials
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
which do not have brittle failure or do not elongate greater than
two hundred percent during testing.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
5.2 The data from this test method furnish comparative
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film and Sheeting.
information for ranking the tearing resistance of plastic speci-
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2008. Published November 2008. Originally
approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D 1004 – 07. mens of similar composition. Actual use performance in
2
The following reference may be of interest in connection with this test method:
tearingofsomeplasticsmaynotnecessarilycorrelatewithdata
Graves, F. L., “The Evaluation of Tear Resistance in Elastomers,” India Rubber
from this test method.
World, Vol 111, No. 3, December 1944, pp. 305–308.
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
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
the ASTM website. ADJD1004.
*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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D1004–08
5.3 The resistance to tear of plastic film and sheeting, while
partly dependent upon thickness, has no sim
...

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:D1004–07 Designation: D 1004 – 08
Standard Test Method for
1
Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1004; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tear resistance of flexible plastic film and sheeting at very low rates of
loading, 51 mm [2 in.]/min.(2 in.)/min. and is designed to measure the force to initiate tearing. The specimen geometry of this test
method produces a stress concentration in a small area of the specimen. The maximum stress, usually found near the onset of
tearing, is recorded as the tear resistance in newtons [or pounds-force].(or pounds-force). The method is not applicable for film
or sheeting material where brittle failures occur during testing or where maximum extension is greater than 101.6 mm [4 in.]. (4
in.).
NOTE 1—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal thickness not greater than 0.25 mm [0.010 in.]. (0.010 in.).
1.2 Constant-Rate-of-Grip Separation Test—This test method employs a constant rate of separation of the grips holding the test
specimen.
1.2.1 Specimen extension may be measured in this test method by grip separation.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in bracketsparentheses are provided for
information only.
1.4 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.
NOTE 2—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D 882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
D 5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid Plastics Specimens
E 4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
4
Die Drawings
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
Definitions of terms applying to this test method appear in Terminology D 883.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The force to initiate tearing across a specific geometry of a film or sheeting specimen is measured using a
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film and Sheeting .
Current edition approved AprilNov. 1, 2007.2008. Published April 2007.November 2008. Originally approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 20032007 as
D 1004 – 037.
2
The following reference may be of interest in connection with this test method: Graves, F. L., “The Evaluation of Tear Resistance in Elastomers,” India Rubber World,
Vol 111, No. 3, December 1944, pp. 305–308.
3
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD1004.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1004–08
constant-rate-of-grip separation machine. The force necessary to initiate the tear is calculated from the load-time or
load-displacement data.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Tear resistance of plastic film or sheeting is a complex function of its ultimate resistance to rupture.The specimen geometry
and speed of testing in this test method are controlled to produce tearing in a small area of stress concentration at rates far below
those usually encountered in service. Experience has shown the test to have its best reliability for materials which do not have
brittle failure or do not elongate greater t
...