ASTM D6287-98

Standard Practice for Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Specimens

SCOPE
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 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 1-There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-1998
• ICS: 25.100.01 - Cutting tools in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.19 - Film, Sheeting, and Molded Products

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D6287-05 - Standard Practice for Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2005
• Referred By: ASTM D6988-21 - Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D2838-18 - Standard Test Method for Shrink Tension and Orientation Release Stress of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D882-18 - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1998

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D6287–98
Standard Practice for
Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6287; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Apparatus and Materials
1.1 This practice covers equipment and techniques for 4.1 Procedure A—A hand rotatable drum cutter (Fig. 1)
cutting film and sheeting specimens for testing. The speci- containing a 12.7 cm (5 in.) diameter drum with grooves at
mens are nick–free, non-stretched and can be rapidly prepared. 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) intervals and a blade holder allowing a blade
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the to ride in each groove or be raised above the groove.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NOTE 3—Plas-Tech in Boston offered a rotary drum cutter in the 1950’s
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and 1960’s which was shown to be an excellent instrument with respect to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
yielding nick free non-stretched film specimen(s) at high rates. However,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Plas-Tech disappeared in the late 1960’s and the cutter with them. This
type of cutter has been redesigned to meet current government regulations
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
and retain its original desirable characteristics plus additional improve-
ments.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 Procedure B—A dual blade shear cutter (Fig. 2) with
2.1 ASTM Standards:
parallelism tolerances within 0.001 in. The cutter cuts indi-
D 882 Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
vidual strips of a particular sample width.
Sheeting
4.3 Scissors.
D 2838 Test Method for Shrink Tension and Orientation
4.4 Marker.
Release Stress of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
4.5 Tape.
F 88 Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier
Materials
5. Procedure
5.1 Procedure A:
3. Significance and Use
5.1.1 Cut film or sheeting (with scissors) approximately 30
3.1 Many test methods including Test Methods D 882,
by 30 cm (12 by 12 in.) or desired size within these dimen-
D 2838 and F 88 require the use of narrow strips of varying
sions. It is recommended to cut only an individual (single)
length. The quality of the sample preparation directly affects
sheet of film.
test results. This practice describes two techniques for prepar-
5.1.2 Mark or number all samples as to identity, direction
ing samples with straight, clean, parallel edges with no visible
with respect to material flow, etc.
imperfections.
5.1.3 Place sample on work surface in desired direction and
NOTE 2—After cutting, each specimen should be examined visually to
place a strip of tape on the sample edge with half the width of
insure the edges are undamaged (free of nicks). On a periodic basis
thetapeoverlappingtheedgetoenablethetapetoadheretothe
specimen edge quality should be evaluated by microscopic examination.
drum of the cutter.
To determine when cutting blades need to be replaced or sharpened, a
5.1.4 Remove the taped sample from the work surface and
control chart of tensile strength and percent elongation at break (see Test
place taped edge on the drum of the cutter below the blade
Method D 882) of a uniform material may be maintained. Tensile strength
...