ASTM D1709-16a

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Test Methods A and B are used to establish the weight of the dart when 50 % of the specimens fail under the conditions specified. Data obtained by one test method cannot be compared directly with the other test method nor with those obtained from tests employing different conditions of missile velocity, impinging surface diameter, effective specimen diameter, material construction and finish of the dart head, and film thickness. The values obtained by these test variables are highly dependent on the method of film fabrication.  
4.2 The results obtained by Test Methods A and B are greatly influenced by the quality of film under test. The confidence limits of data obtained by this procedure can, therefore, vary significantly, depending on the sample quality, uniformity of film gage, die marks, contaminants, etc. (see Section 15).  
4.3 Test Methods A and B have been found useful for specification purposes.  
Note 4: With sufficient data, correlation between test results and field performance can usually be established.  
4.4 The impact resistance of plastic film, while partly dependent on thickness, has no simple correlation with sample thickness. Hence, impact values cannot be normalized over a range of thickness without producing misleading data as to the actual impact resistance of the material. Data from these test methods are comparable only for specimens that vary by no more than ±25 % from the nominal or average thickness of the specimens tested.  
4.5 Several impact test methods are used for film. It is sometimes desirable to know the relationships among test results derived by different test methods. A study was conducted in which four films made from two resins (polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene), with two film thicknesses for each resin, were impacted using Test Methods D1709 (Method A), D3420 (Procedures A and B), and D4272. The test results are shown in the Appendix. Differences in results between Test Methods D1709 and D4272 are...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the energy that causes plastic film to fail under specified conditions of impact of a free-falling dart. This energy is expressed in terms of the weight (mass) of the missile falling from a specified height which would result in 50 % failure of specimens tested.  
1.2 Two test methods are described:  
1.2.1 Test Method A employs a dart with a 38.10 ± 0.13-mm (1.500 ± 0.005-in.) diameter hemispherical head dropped from a height of 0.66 ± 0.01 m (26.0 ± 0.4 in.). This test method can be used for films whose impact resistances require masses of about 50 g or less to about 6 kg to fracture them.  
1.2.2 Test Method B employs a dart with a 50.80 ± 0.13-mm (2.000 ± 0.005-in.) diameter hemispherical head dropped from a height of 1.52 ± 0.03 m (60.0 + 0.25, −1.70 in.). Its range of applicability is from about 0.3 kg to about 6 kg.  
1.3 Two testing techniques are described:  
1.3.1 The standard technique is the staircase method. By this technique, the missile weight employed during the test is decreased or increased by uniform increments after the testing of each specimen, depending upon the result (fail or not fail) observed for the specimen.  
1.3.2 The alternative technique provides for testing specimens in successive groups of ten. One missile weight is employed for each group and the missile weight is varied in uniform increments from group to group.  
1.3.3 The staircase technique and the alternative technique give equivalent results both as to the values of impact failure weight which are obtained and as to the precisions with which they are determined.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information only.
Note 1: Tests on materials that do not break, for any reason, are not considered to be valid. It has been noted that certain materials may stretch so far as to bottom out at the base of ...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2016
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.19 - Film, Sheeting, and Molded Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1709-16 - Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D5628-18 - Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid Plastic Specimens by Means of a Falling Dart (Tup or Falling Mass)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D3981-09a(2016) - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Films Made from Medium-Density Polyethylene for General Use and Packaging Applications
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D4635-16 - Standard Specification for Plastic Films Made from Low-Density Polyethylene and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene for General Use and Packaging Applications
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D4272/D4272M-23 - Standard Test Method for Total Energy Impact of Plastic Films by Dart Drop
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D3420-21 - Standard Test Method for Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D2103-15 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM G218-19 - Standard Guide for External Corrosion Protection of Ductile Iron Pipe Utilizing Polyethylene Encasement Supplemented by Cathodic Protection
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F2097-20 - Standard Guide for Design and Evaluation of Primary Flexible Packaging for Medical Products
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM E1745-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM A674-22 - Standard Practice for Polyethylene Encasement for Ductile Iron Pipe
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM E154/E154M-08a(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Earth Under Concrete Slabs, on Walls, or as Ground Cover
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D4397-16 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Sheeting for Construction, Industrial, and Agricultural Applications
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D8065/D8065M-16 - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Specifying Plastic Films
• Effective Date: 01-May-2016

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: D1709 − 16a
Standard Test Methods for
Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart
1
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1709; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
only.
energythatcausesplasticfilmtofailunderspecifiedconditions
of impact of a free-falling dart. This energy is expressed in NOTE 1—Tests on materials that do not break, for any reason, are not
consideredtobevalid.Ithasbeennotedthatcertainmaterialsmaystretch
terms of the weight (mass) of the missile falling from a
so far as to bottom out at the base of certain test instruments without
specified height which would result in 50% failure of speci-
actually rupturing. Subcommittee D20.19 is currently considering meth-
mens tested.
odsfortestingthesematerials.AnyoneinterestedinparticipatinginaTask
Group should contact the Chairman of Subcommittee D20.19 through
1.2 Two test methods are described:
ASTM International Headquarters.
1.2.1 Test Method A employs a dart with a
1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety
38.10 60.13-mm (1.500 60.005-in.) diameter hemispherical
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
head dropped from a height of 0.66 60.01 m (26.0 60.4 in.).
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
This test method can be used for films whose impact resis-
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
tances require masses of about 50 g or less to about 6 kg to
limitations prior to use.
fracture them.
1.2.2 Test Method B employs a dart with a
NOTE 2—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal
50.80 60.13-mm (2.000 60.005-in.) diameter hemispherical thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
NOTE 3—This test method is technically equivalent to ISO 7765-1:
head dropped from a height of 1.52 60.03 m (60.0+0.25,
1988, with the exception of a larger tolerance on the drop height in Test
−1.70 in.). Its range of applicability is from about 0.3 kg to
Method B, smaller tolerances on the dart diameters for Test Methods A
about 6 kg.
and B, and the requirement for a vented dart well in 5.1.1.Also, the ISO
method does not allow the alternative testing technique described in
1.3 Two testing techniques are described:
Section 11 of this test method.
1.3.1 The standard technique is the staircase method. By
this technique, the missile weight employed during the test is
2. Referenced Documents
decreased or increased by uniform increments after the testing
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of each specimen, depending upon the result (fail or not fail)
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
observed for the specimen.
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
1.3.2 The alternative technique provides for testing speci-
D1248Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion
mens in successive groups of ten. One missile weight is
Materials for Wire and Cable
employed for each group and the missile weight is varied in
D3420Test Method for Pendulum Impact Resistance of
uniform increments from group to group.
Plastic Film
1.3.3 The staircase technique and the alternative technique
D4272TestMethodforTotalEnergyImpactofPlasticFilms
give equivalent results both as to the values of impact failure
by Dart Drop
weight which are obtained and as to the precisions with which
D6988GuideforDeterminationofThicknessofPlasticFilm
they are determined.
Test Specimens
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
PlasticsandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD20.19onFilm,Sheeting,
2
and Molded Products. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2016. Published May 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D1709–16. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D1709-16A. the ASTM website.
*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
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D1709 − 16a
E691Pr
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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: D1709 − 16 D1709 − 16a
Standard Test Methods for
Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart
1
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1709; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the energy that causes plastic film to fail under specified conditions of impact
of a free-falling dart. This energy is expressed in terms of the weight (mass) of the missile falling from a specified height which
would result in 50 % failure of specimens tested.
1.2 Two test methods are described:
1.2.1 Test Method A employs a dart with a 38.10 6 0.13-mm (1.500 6 0.005-in.) diameter hemispherical head dropped from
a height of 0.66 6 0.01 m (26.0 6 0.4 in.). This test method can be used for films whose impact resistances require masses of about
50 g or less to about 6 kg to fracture them.
1.2.2 Test Method B employs a dart with a 50.80 6 0.13-mm (2.000 6 0.005-in.) diameter hemispherical head dropped from
a height of 1.52 6 0.03 m (60.0 + 0.25, −1.70 in.). Its range of applicability is from about 0.3 kg to about 6 kg.
1.3 Two testing techniques are described:
1.3.1 The standard technique is the staircase method. By this technique, the missile weight employed during the test is decreased
or increased by uniform increments after the testing of each specimen, depending upon the result (fail or not fail) observed for the
specimen.
1.3.2 The alternative technique provides for testing specimens in successive groups of ten. One missile weight is employed for
each group and the missile weight is varied in uniform increments from group to group.
1.3.3 The staircase technique and the alternative technique give equivalent results both as to the values of impact failure weight
which are obtained and as to the precisions with which they are determined.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information only.
NOTE 1—Tests on materials that do not break, for any reason, are not considered to be valid. It has been noted that certain materials may stretch so
far as to bottom out at the base of certain test instruments without actually rupturing. Subcommittee D20.19 is currently considering methods for testing
these materials. Anyone interested in participating in a Task Group should contact the Chairman of Subcommittee D20.19 through ASTM International
Headquarters.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address 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—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
NOTE 3—This test method is technically equivalent to ISO 7765-1: 1988, with the exception of a larger tolerance on the drop height in Test Method
B, smaller tolerances on the dart diameters for Test Methods A and B, and the requirement for a vented dart well in 5.1.1. Also, the ISO method does
not allow the alternative testing technique described in Section 11 of this test method.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting, and
Molded Products.
Current edition approved April 15, 2016May 1, 2016. Published April 2016May 2016. Originally approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 20152016 as
D1709 – 15a.D1709 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D1709-16.10.1520/D1709-16A.
2
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.
*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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