Standard Test Method for Flex Durability of Flexible Barrier Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is valuable in determining the resistance of flexible-packaging materials to flex-formed pinhole failures.  
This test method does not measure any abrasion component relating to flex failure.
Physical holes completely through the structure are the only failures measured by the colored-turpentine-pinhole portion of this test. Failures in the integrity of one of the plies of a multi-ply structure will not be determined by the colored-turpentine test. Gas permeation or moisture vapor transmission tests, or both, can be used in conjunction with the flex test to measure the loss of ply integrity. However, any permeation test requiring a pressure differential will not measure the permeation coefficient in the presence of pinholes.
4.3.1 The various conditions described in this procedure are to prevent testing a structure under conditions that either give too many holes to effectively count and be significant (normally greater than 50), or too few to be significant (normally less than five per sample).
Measurements on nylon film, possibly because of its hydrophilic nature, have not shown good reproducibility (between laboratories), although the repeatability of the data within a laboratory was good.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flex resistance of flexible barrier materials. Pinhole formation is the criterion presented for measuring failure, but other tests such as gas-transmission rates can be used in place of the pinhole test.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in .

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Historical
Publication Date
14-May-1993
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ASTM F392-93(2004) - Standard Test Method for Flex Durability of Flexible Barrier Materials
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:F392–93 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Test Method for
Flex Durability of Flexible Barrier Materials
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF392;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.3.1 Condition A— Full flex for 1 h (that is, 2700 cycles).
3.3.2 Condition B— Full flex for 20 min (that is, 900
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flex
cycles).
resistance of flexible barrier materials. Pinhole formation is the
3.3.3 ConditionC— Full flex for 6 min (that is, 270 cycles).
criterionpresentedformeasuringfailure,butothertestssuchas
3.3.4 Condition D— Full flex for 20 cycles.
gas-transmission rates can be used in place of the pinhole test.
3.3.5 Condition E— Partial flex only for 20 cycles.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 This test method is valuable in determining the resis-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tance of flexible-packaging materials to flex-formed pinhole
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
failures.
tionary statements are given in 5.7.
4.2 This test method does not measure any abrasion com-
2. Referenced Documents ponent relating to flex failure.
4.3 Physical holes completely through the structure are the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
only failures measured by the colored-turpentine-pinhole por-
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
tion of this test. Failures in the integrity of one of the plies of
D722 Test Method for Grease Resistance of Paper
a multi-ply structure will not be determined by the colored-
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
turpentine test. Gas permeation or moisture vapor transmission
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
tests, or both, can be used in conjunction with the flex test to
3. Summary of Test Method
measure the loss of ply integrity. However, any permeation test
requiring a pressure differential will not measure the perme-
3.1 Specimens of flexible materials are flexed at standard
ation coefficient in the presence of pinholes.
atmospheric conditions (23°C and 50 % relative humidity),
4.3.1 The various conditions described in this procedure are
unless otherwise specified. Flexing conditions and number and
to prevent testing a structure under conditions that either give
severity of flexing strokes vary with the type of structure being
too many holes to effectively count and be significant (nor-
tested. The flexing action consists of a twisting motion fol-
mally greater than 50), or too few to be significant (normally
lowed, in most cases, by a horizontal motion, thus, repeatedly
less than five per sample).
twisting and crushing the film. The frequency is at a rate of 45
4.4 Measurements on nylon film, possibly because of its
cpm.
hydrophilic nature, have not shown good reproducibility (be-
3.2 Flex failure is determined by measuring the pinholes
tween laboratories), although the repeatability of the data
formed in the structure. These pinholes are determined by
within a laboratory was good.
using colored turpentine and allowing it to stain through the
holes onto a white backing. In addition, other failure criteria
5. Apparatus and Reagent
such as gas permeation or moisture-vapor transmission can be
5.1 Flex Tester, designed so that it can be set up in
used at the discretion of the tester.
accordance with the specifications listed in Section 8. This
3.3 The various test conditions are summarized as follows:
apparatus shall consist essentially of a 90-mm (3.5-in.) diam-
eter stationary mandrel and a 90-mm diameter movable man-
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F02 on Flexible
drel spaced at a distance of 180 mm (7 in.) apart from
Barrier Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.20 on
face-to-faceatthestartingposition(thatis,maximumdistance)
Physical Properties.
of the stroke. Mandrels shall contain vents to prevent pressur-
Current edition approved May 15, 1993. Published August 1993. Originally
ization of samples. The specimen supporting shoulders on the
published as F392 – 74. Last previous edition F392 – 74 (1987). DOI: 10.1520/
F0392-93R04.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM The Gelbo Tester, which is capable of producing the prescribed flexing action,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on available from the United States Testing Co., Inc., 1415 Park Ave., Hoboken,
the ASTM website. NJ 07030, or its equivalent, has been found satisfactory for this test method.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F392–93 (2004)
FIG. 1 Planar Evolution of Gelbo Shaft Helical Groove (31.8-mm (1.25-in.) Diameter Shaft)
mandrels shall be 13 mm (0.5 in.) wide. The motion of the 0.875 at 15°C) add5gof anhydrous calcium chloride (CaCl )
movable mandrel is controlled by a grooved shaft to which it and 1.0 g of oil-soluble red dye. Stopper the container, shake
is attached. For the full or maximum stroke the groove is well, and let stand for at least 10 h, shaking occasionally. Then
designed to give a twisting motion of 440° in the first 90 mm filter through a dry filter paper at a temperature of approxi-
of the stroke of the movable mandrel, followed by a straight mately 21°C, and store in an airtight bottle.
horizontal motion of 65 mm (2.5 in.), so that at the closed
NOTE 1—Caution: Use of these materials requires that appropriate
position the mandrels are 25 mm (1 in.) apart. The motion of
safeguards be used to avoid hazards of skin contact, inhalation, and
the machine is reciprocal with a full cycle consisting of the
flammability.
forward and return strokes. The machine operates at 45 cpm.
6. Test Specimens—All Conditions
5.1.1 Fig. 1 shows the planar evolution of the helical groove
in the driven shaft to give the required 440° (37° helix angle)
6.1 Cut the samples into 200 by 280-mm (8 by 11-in.) flat
twisting motion and the straight horizontal motion.
sheetswiththe200-mmdimensioninthedirectiontobetested.
5.1.2 For the partial flex used with Condition E the movable
This will also be in the direction of the flex-tester axis.
head is set to travel only 80 mm (3.25 in.) of the 180-mm
6.2 Flex test four specimens in their machine direction and
(7-in.) spacing. Therefore, only approximately 90 % of the
four in their transverse direction. In addition, test a control set
twisting stroke is utilized giving a twisting motion of only
of four, adjacent, unflexed specimens (either direction) for
400°, and none of the horizontal stroke is utilized.
pinholes.
5.2 Tape, flexible, double-sided, pressure-sensitive, not
6.3 Do no
...

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