ASTM D5047-17(2023)

Standard Specification for Polyethylene Terephthalate Film and Sheeting

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the dimensional (length and width, thickness, and weight) requirements for biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film and sheeting, both virgin and recycled. For this specification, polyethylene terephthalate film and sheeting shall be defined as the material derived from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol and shall consist of at least 90 % polyethylene terephthalate homopolymer. The film or sheeting shall be furnished flat or in rolls in the dimensions specified. This specification does not apply to coated, coextruded, tinted, pigmented, or metallized film or sheeting.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers requirements for biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film and sheeting in thicknesses from 1.5 μm (0.06 mil) to 355 μm (14.0 mil). For this specification, polyethylene terephthalate film and sheeting shall be defined as the material derived from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol and shall consist of at least 90 % polyethylene terephthalate homopolymer. This specification does not apply to coated, coextruded, tinted, pigmented, or metallized film or sheeting.  
1.2 Polyethylene terephthalate materials, being thermoplastic, are reprocessable and recyclable.2 This specification allows for the use of those polyethylene terephthalate plastic materials, provided that any specific requirements as governed by the producer and end user are met.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this specification.
Note 2: Film is defined as sheeting having a thickness of ≤250 microns (0.010 in.).  
1.4 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: 31-Oct-2023
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.19 - Film, Sheeting, and Molded Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5047-17 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Terephthalate Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-24 - Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM D883-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-23 - Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D883-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D883-22 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2022
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-22ae1 - Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2022
• Referred By: ASTM D8195-18 - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polyethylene Terephthalate Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023

Overview

ASTM D5047-17(2023) is a standard specification developed by ASTM International, focusing on the dimensional requirements and quality attributes for biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and sheeting. This standard applies to both virgin and recycled PET materials, provided they contain at least 90% polyethylene terephthalate homopolymer. The specification primarily addresses uncoated, unpigmented, untinted, non-metallized PET films and sheets supplied either in flat sheets or rolls. The thickness coverage ranges from 1.5 μm (0.06 mil) to 355 μm (14.0 mil). The guidelines ensure that PET films and sheets meet essential industry performance standards for dimensional stability, material purity, and recyclability.

Key Topics

• Material Definition & Scope

  • Applies exclusively to uncoated, non-pigmented, non-metallized, and non-tinted biaxially oriented PET films and sheeting.
  • Material must be derived from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, comprising minimum 90% PET homopolymer content.

• Dimensional and Quality Requirements

  • Specifies acceptable thickness, width, and weight tolerances for PET films and sheets.
  • PET films up to 250 microns are categorized as "film," thicker products as "sheeting."
  • Quality parameters such as surface finish, absence of defects (gels, streaks, pinholes, foreign matter), and dimensional tolerances must be agreed upon by supplier and customer.

• Recyclability

  • PET materials addressed by this standard are thermoplastic, allowing for reprocessing and recycling.
  • Standard supports the use of recycled PET materials within specified quality frameworks.

• Testing, Sampling, and Certification

  • Details requirements for sampling, testing, and lot certification to ensure statistical process control and product conformity.
  • Physical and electrical properties (such as tensile strength, dielectric strength, tear resistance, density, and moisture transmission) should be tested according to agreed ASTM test methods.
  • Packaging, packing, and marking must comply with referenced ASTM practices.

Applications

PET films and sheeting manufactured per ASTM D5047-17(2023) are widely used across multiple industries owing to their mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and electrical insulation properties. Routine applications include:

• Packaging: High-clarity films for food, medical, and consumer goods packaging.
• Electrical Insulation: Dielectric materials in electrical components due to excellent electrical properties.
• Industrial Uses: Stencil making, protective overlay, and lamination films.
• Graphic Arts: Printing substrates and photographic film bases.
• Recyclable Goods: Applications emphasizing sustainability and circular material usage.

The specification enables both end users and suppliers to assure consistency and performance for critical applications where PET film and sheeting quality are paramount.

Related Standards

Several referenced ASTM standards support compliance with ASTM D5047-17(2023):

• ASTM D882 - Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
• ASTM D1505 - Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
• ASTM D257 - Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials
• ASTM D1922 - Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film
• ASTM D2176 - Test Method for Folding Endurance of Plastics Film
• ASTM D3892 - Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
• ASTM D3985 - Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate of Plastic Film and Sheeting

While there is currently no ISO equivalent to this specification, ASTM D5047-17(2023) aligns with recognized international standards principles and supports global material and quality assurance needs in PET film and sheeting production.

Keywords: Polyethylene terephthalate film, PET sheeting, ASTM D5047, recyclable plastics, thin plastic film specification, electrical insulation film, plastic packaging standards.

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: D5047 − 17 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Specification for
Polyethylene Terephthalate Film and Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5047; 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.
1. Scope D150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permit-
tivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
1.1 This specification covers requirements for biaxially
D257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of
oriented polyethylene terephthalate film and sheeting in thick-
Insulating Materials
nesses from 1.5 μm (0.06 mil) to 355 μm (14.0 mil). For this
D774/D774M Test Method for Bursting Strength of Paper
specification, polyethylene terephthalate film and sheeting
(Withdrawn 2010)
shall be defined as the material derived from terephthalic acid
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
and ethylene glycol and shall consist of at least 90 % polyeth-
Sheeting
ylene terephthalate homopolymer. This specification does not
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
apply to coated, coextruded, tinted, pigmented, or metallized
D1004 Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of
film or sheeting.
Plastic Film and Sheeting
1.2 Polyethylene terephthalate materials, being
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
thermoplastic, are reprocessable and recyclable. This specifi-
Gradient Technique
cation allows for the use of those polyethylene terephthalate
D1894 Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of
plastic materials, provided that any specific requirements as
Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting (Withdrawn 2023)
governed by the producer and end user are met.
D1922 Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
D2176 Test Method for Folding Endurance of Paper and
only.
Plastics Film by the M.I.T. Tester
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this specification.
D2275 Test Method for Voltage Endurance of Solid Electri-
NOTE 2—Film is defined as sheeting having a thickness of ≤250
cal Insulating Materials Subjected to Partial Discharges
microns (0.010 in.).
(Corona) on the Surface
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
D2305 Test Methods for Polymeric Films Used for Electri-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
cal Insulation
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
D3417 Test Method for Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystalli-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
zation of Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4
(DSC) (Withdrawn 2004)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
D3985 Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate
2. Referenced Documents
Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Sensor
D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
D5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials
Plastics Specimens
at Commercial Power Frequencies
D6988 Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film
Test Specimens
D7209 Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (With-
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting,
and Molded Products.
drawn 2015)
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally
E96/E96M Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D5047 - 17. DOI:
Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
10.1520/D5047-17R23.
See Guide D7209 for information and definitions related to recycled plastics.
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 last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5047 − 17 (2023)
3. Terminology 6. Detail Requirements
6.1 Form—The film or sheeting shall be furnished flat or in
3.1 Definitions—Unless otherwise indicated, the terminol-
ogy used in this specification is in accordance with Terminol- rolls in the dimensions specified.
ogy D883.
6.2 Thickness—The thickness shall be within 618 % of
nominal for film 19 μm (0.75 mil) or under and within 614 %
3.2 Description of Term Specific to This Standard:
of nominal for film or sheeting over 19 μm. Thickness shall be
3.2.1 polyethylene terephthalate film and sheeting—material
tested in accordance with Test Methods D5947 or Guide
derived from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol and con-
D6988, depending on the thickness.
sisting of at least 90 % polyethylene tere
...