ASTM D2103-08

Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the classification of polyethylene film and sheeting. Recycled polyethylene film or resin may be used as feedstock, and the film or sheeting may contain additives for surface property improvement, pigments, or stabilizers, or a combination of these, but they must conform to the requirements specified. Material covered in this specification shall be designated by a five-digit type number, with each numeral (from 0 to 5) indicating the cell limit within which the values of the density, impact strength, kinetic coefficient of friction, haze, and nominal thickness of the material falls under. The sheet or film shall be manufactured free, as commercially possible, of gels, streaks, pinholes, particles of foreign matter, and undispersed raw material, and without any other visible defects such as holes, tears, or blisters. The edges of the sheet or film shall be free of nicks and cuts. The surface of the sheet or film may also be treated by flame, corona discharge, or other means to improve the surface properties. Tests to determine the density, impact strength, kinetic coefficient of friction, haze, and nominal thickness of the material shall be performed and shall conform to the requirements specified.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the classification of polyethylene film and sheeting up to 0.3 mm (0.012 in.) in thickness, inclusive. The film or sheeting may contain additives for the improvement of the surface properties, pigments, or stabilizers, or combinations thereof.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in brackets are for information only.
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 8, of this specification: 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.
1.4 This specification allows for the use of recycled polyethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long as all the requirements as governed by the producer and end user are also met (see Note 1).  
Note 1—Guide D 5033 describes terminology and definitions related to recycled plastics.
Note 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this specification.

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 D2103-05 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D2103-10 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D5748-95(2019) - Standard Test Method for Protrusion Puncture Resistance of Stretch Wrap Film
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D5459-95(2020) - Standard Test Method for Machine Direction Elastic Recovery and Permanent Deformation and Stress Retention of Stretch Wrap Film
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• 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-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4801-08(2016) - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Sheeting in Thickness of 0.25 mm (0.010 in.) and Greater
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• 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-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4397-16 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Sheeting for Construction, Industrial, and Agricultural Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4649-20 - Standard Guide for Use of Stretch Films and Wrapping Application
• 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: D2103 – 08
Standard Specification for
1
Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2103; 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* D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance
1.1 This specification covers the classification of polyethyl-
of Transparent Plastics
ene film and sheeting up to 0.3 mm (0.012 in.) in thickness,
D1434 Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability
inclusive. The film or sheeting may contain additives for the
Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
improvementofthesurfaceproperties,pigments,orstabilizers,
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
or combinations thereof.
Gradient Technique
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
standard.Thevaluesgiveninbracketsareforinformationonly.
by the Free-Falling Dart Method
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
D1746 Test Method for Transparency of Plastic Sheeting
test method portion, Section 8, of this specification: This
3
D1893 Test Method for Blocking of Plastic Film
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
D1894 Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
D1922 Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
tions prior to use.
D1938 Test Method for Tear-Propagation Resistance (Trou-
1.4 This specification allows for the use of recycled poly-
ser Tear) of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by a Single-
ethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long
Tear Method
as all the requirements as governed by the producer and end
D2457 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and
user are also met (see Note 1).
Solid Plastics
NOTE 1—Guide D7209 describes terminology and definitions related to
D2578 Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene
recycled plastics.
and Polypropylene Films
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this specification.
D2839 Practice for Use of a Melt Index Strand for Deter-
mining Density of Polyethylene
2. Referenced Documents
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4321 Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu-
D4703 Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic
lation
Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D4976 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
Extrusion Materials
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D7209 GuideforWasteReduction,ResourceRecovery,and
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products
Sheeting
E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
Materials
1
F1249 Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film and
Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated
Sheeting.
Infrared Sensor
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2008. Published November 2008. Originally
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D2103 – 05. DOI:
3. Terminology
10.1520/D2103-08.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.1 Definitions:
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3
the ASTM website. Withdrawn.
*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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D2103 – 08
3.1.1 Unless otherwise specified, the definitions of plastics purchaser and the seller. The recommended test to measure the
used in this specification are in accordance with Terminology degree of surface treatment is Test Method D2578.
D883.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 5. General Requirements
3.2.1 treated—surface characteristics o
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D2103–05 Designation: D 2103 – 08
Standard Specification for
1
Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2103; 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*
1.1 Thisspecificationcoverstheclassificationofpolyethylenefilmandsheetingupto0.3mm[0.012in.](0.012in.)inthickness,
inclusive. The film or sheeting may contain additives for the improvement of the surface properties, pigments, or stabilizers, or
combinations thereof.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in brackets are for information only.
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 8, of this specification: 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.
1.4 This specification allows for the use of recycled polyethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long as all
the requirements as governed by the producer and end user are also met (see Note 1).
NOTE 1—Guide D 5033 describes terminology and definitions related to recycled plastics.
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this specification.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D 792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D 882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D 1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
D 1434 Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
D 1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
D 1746 Test Method for Transparency of Plastic Sheeting
3
D 1893 Test Method for Blocking of Plastic Film
D 1894 Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D 1922 Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
D 1938 TestMethodforTear-PropagationResistance(TrouserTear)ofPlasticFilmandThinSheetingbyaSingle-TearMethod
D 2457 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
D 2578 Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films
D 2839 Practice for Use of a Melt Index Strand for Determining Density of Polyethylene
D 3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
D 4321 Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
D 4703 Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
D 4976 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
D 5033 Guide for Development of ASTM Standards Relating to Recycling and Use of Recycled Plastics
E 96/E 96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
1
This specification 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 Dec.Nov. 1, 2005.2008. Published January 2006.November 2008. Originally approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 20032005 as
D 2103 – 035.
2
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.
3
Withdrawn.
*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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D2103–08
F 1249 Test Method forWaterVaporTransmission RateThrough Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Unlessotherwisespecified,thedefinitionsofplasticsus
...