ASTM D1004-21

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

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 than two hundred percent during testing.  
5.2 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.  
5.3 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.  
5.4 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 D4000 lists the ASTM materials standards that currently exist.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method2 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.).  
1.1.1 Although resistance to tear can be expressed in newtons per microns, (pounds-force per mil) of specimen thickness, this is only advisable where correlation for the particular material being tested has been established. In most cases, comparison between films of dissimilar thickness is not valid.
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 shall 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 2: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
1.5 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-Jan-2021
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.19 - Film, Sheeting, and Molded Products

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: D1004 − 21
Standard Test Method for
1
Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1004; 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* 1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
2 dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tear
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
resistance of flexible plastic film and sheeting at very low rates
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of loading, 51 mm (2 in.)/min. and is designed to measure the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
force to initiate tearing. The specimen geometry of this test
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
method produces a stress concentration in a small area of the
specimen.Themaximumstress,usuallyfoundneartheonsetof
2. Referenced Documents
tearing, is recorded as the tear resistance in newtons (or
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pounds-force). The method is not applicable for film or
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
sheeting material where brittle failures occur during testing or
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
where maximum extension is greater than 101.6 mm (4 in.).
Sheeting
1.1.1 Although resistance to tear can be expressed in new-
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
tons per microns, (pounds-force per mil) of specimen
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materi-
thickness, this is only advisable where correlation for the
als
particular material being tested has been established. In most
D5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
cases, comparison between films of dissimilar thickness is not
Plastics Specimens
valid.
D6988 GuideforDeterminationofThicknessofPlasticFilm
NOTE 1—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal
Test Specimens
thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
1.2 Constant-Rate-of-Grip Separation Test—This test
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
method employs a constant rate of separation of the grips
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
holding the test specimen.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.2.1 Specimen extension shall be measured in this test
E2935 Practice for Conducting Equivalence Tests for Com-
method by grip separation.
paring Testing Processes
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3. Terminology
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
information only.
3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this standard are defined in
accordance with Terminology D883, unless otherwise speci-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
fied. For terms relating to precision and bias and associated
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
issues,thetermsusedinthisstandardaredefinedinaccordance
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
with Terminology E456.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Method
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
4.1 The force to initiate tearing across a specific geometry
of a film or sheeting specimen is measured using a constant-
1
rate-of-grip separation machine. The force necessary to initiate
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting, and
the tear is calculated from the load-time or load-displacement
Molded Products.
data.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2021. Published February 2021. Originally
approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D1004 – 13. DOI:
3
10.1520/D1004-21. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
2
The following reference may be of interest in connection with this test method: contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Graves, F. L., “The Evaluation of Tear Resistance in Elastomers,” India Rubber Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
World, Vol 111, No. 3, December 1944, pp. 305–308. the ASTM website.
*A
...

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 − 13 D1004 − 21
Standard Test Method for
1
Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1004; 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*
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. 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.).
1.1.1 Although resistance to tear can be expressed in newtons per microns, (pounds-force per mil) of specimen thickness, this is
only advisable where correlation for the particular material being tested has been established. In most cases, comparison between
films of dissimilar thickness is not valid.
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 mayshall 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
1.5 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.
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, Sheeting, and Molded
Products.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013Jan. 15, 2021. Published April 2013February 2021. Originally approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 20092013 as
D1004 – 09.D1004 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D1004-13.10.1520/D1004-21.
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.
*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 − 21
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
D5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid Plastics Specimens
D6988 Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E2935 Practice for Conducting Equivalence Tests for Comparing Testing Processes
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
4
Die Drawings
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: Definitions—
Definitions of terms applying to this test method appear in Terms used in this standard are defined in accordance with Terminology
D883, unless otherwise specified. For terms relating to precision and bias and associated issues, the terms used in this standard
are
...