ASTM D1922-23

Standard Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is of value in ranking relative tearing resistance of various plastic films and thin sheeting of comparable thickness. Experience has shown the test to have its best reliability on relatively less extensible films and sheeting. Variable elongation and oblique tearing effects on the more extensible films preclude its use as a precise production-control tool for these types of plastics. This test method should be used for specification acceptance testing only after it has been demonstrated that the data for the particular material are acceptably reproducible. This test method should be used for service evaluation only after its usefulness for the particular application has been demonstrated with a number of different films.  
4.2 This test method has been widely used as one index of the tearing resistance of plastic film and thin sheeting used in packaging applications. While it is not always be possible to correlate film tearing data with its other mechanical or toughness properties, the apparatus of this test method provides a controlled means for tearing specimens at straining rates approximating some of those found in actual packaging service.  
4.3 Due to orientation during their manufacture, plastic films and sheeting frequently show marked anisotropy in their resistance to tearing. This is further complicated by the fact that some films elongate greatly during tearing, even at the relatively rapid rates of loading encountered in this test method. The degree of this elongation is dependent in turn on film orientation and the inherent mechanical properties of the polymer from which it is made. These factors make tear resistance of some films reproducible between sets of specimens to ±5 % of the mean value, while others potentially show no better reproducibility than ±50 %.  
4.4 Data obtained by this test method may supplement that from Test Method D1004, wherein the specimen is strained at a rate of 50 mm (2 in.) per minute. However, spec...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method2 covers the determination of the average force to propagate tearing through a specified length of plastic film or nonrigid sheeting after the tear has been started, using an Elmendorf-type tearing tester. Two specimens are cited, a rectangular type, and one with a constant radius testing length. The latter shall be the preferred or referee specimen.  
1.2 Because of (1) difficulties in selecting uniformly identical specimens, (2) the varying degree of orientation in some plastic films, and (3) the difficulty found in testing highly extensible or highly oriented materials, or both, the reproducibility of the test results may be variable and, in some cases, not good or misleading. Provisions are made in the test method to address oblique directional tearing which may be found with some materials.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 13.1.
Note 1: Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
Note 2: This standard is equivalent to ISO 6383-2.  
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: 30-Apr-2023
• 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: D1922 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin
1
Sheeting by Pendulum Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1922; 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.
NOTE 1—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal
1. Scope*
thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the
NOTE 2—This standard is equivalent to ISO 6383-2.
average force to propagate tearing through a specified length of
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
plastic film or nonrigid sheeting after the tear has been started,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
using an Elmendorf-type tearing tester. Two specimens are
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
cited, a rectangular type, and one with a constant radius testing
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
length. The latter shall be the preferred or referee specimen.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 Because of (1) difficulties in selecting uniformly iden-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tical specimens, (2) the varying degree of orientation in some
2. Referenced Documents
plastic films, and (3) the difficulty found in testing highly
3
extensible or highly oriented materials, or both, the reproduc-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ibility of the test results may be variable and, in some cases, not
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
good or misleading. Provisions are made in the test method to
D689 Test Method for Internal Tearing Resistance of Paper
address oblique directional tearing which may be found with
D1004 Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of
some materials.
Plastic Film and Sheeting
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materi-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
als
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
D5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
only.
Plastics Specimens
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D6988 Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Test Specimens
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2.2 ISO Standard:
Specific precautionary statements are given in 13.1.
ISO 6383-2 Plastics—Film and Sheeting—Determination of
4
Tear Resistance—Part 2 Elmendorf Method
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
3. Summary of Test Method
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting, and
Molded Products.
3.1 The force in grams required to propagate tearing across
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally
a film or sheeting specimen is measured using a precisely
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as D1922 - 15(2020).
calibrated pendulum device. Acting by gravity, the pendulum
DOI: 10.1520/D1922-23.
2
This test method has been adapted from TAPPI Standard Method T 414M-49,
swings through an arc, tearing the specimen from a precut slit.
Internal Tearing Resistance of Paper. In testing certain plastic films, problems of
The specimen is held on one side by the pendulum and on the
reproducibility and interpretation of results are encountered which require special
other side by a stationary member. The loss in energy by the
treatment to make the test method of most value. This test method is revised here
specifically for use with plastic film and thin sheeting. For more complete
explanation of certain aspects of the equipment, its calibration and adjustment, refer
3
to TAPPI Standard Method T 414M-49. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
The following additional references may be of interest in connection with this contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
test method: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Painter, E. V., Chu, C. C., and Morgan, H. M., “Testing T
...

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: D1922 − 15 (Reapproved 2020) D1922 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin
1
Sheeting by Pendulum Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1922; 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 Scope*
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the average force to propagate tearing through a specified length of plastic film
or nonrigid sheeting after the tear has been started, using an Elmendorf-type tearing tester. Two specimens are cited, a rectangular
type, and one with a constant radius testing length. The latter shall be the preferred or referee specimen.
1.2 Because of (1) difficulties in selecting uniformly identical specimens, (2) the varying degree of orientation in some plastic
films, and (3) the difficulty found in testing highly extensible or highly oriented materials, or both, the reproducibility of the test
results may be variable and, in some cases, not good or misleading. Provisions are made in the test method to address oblique
directional tearing which may be found with some materials.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 13.1.
NOTE 1—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
NOTE 2—This standard is equivalent to ISO 6383-2.
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, 2020May 1, 2023. Published April 2020May 2023. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 20152020 as
D1922 - 15.D1922 - 15(2020). DOI: 10.1520/D1922-15R20.10.1520/D1922-23.
2
This test method has been adapted from TAPPI Standard Method T 414M-49, Internal Tearing Resistance of Paper. In testing certain plastic films, problems of
reproducibility and interpretation of results are encountered which require special treatment to make the test method of most value. This test method is revised here specifically
for use with plastic film and thin sheeting. For more complete explanation of certain aspects of the equipment, its calibration and adjustment, refer to TAPPI Standard Method
T 414M-49.
The following additional references may be of interest in connection with this test method:
Painter, E. V., Chu, C. C., and Morgan, H. M., “Testing Textiles on the Elmendorf Tear Tester,” Textile Research Journal, Vol XX, No. 6, June 1950, pp. 410–417.
Elmendorf, A., “Strength Test for Paper,” Paper, Vol 26, April 21, 1920, p. 302.
*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
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D1922 − 23
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D689 Test Method for Internal Tearing Resistance of Paper
D1004 Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
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
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
2.2 ISO Standard:
4
ISO 6383-2 Plastics—Film and Sheeting—Determination of Tear Resistance—Par
...