ASTM D1709-08

Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Test Methods A and B are used to establish the weight of the dart when 50 % of the specimens fail under the conditions specified.Data obtained by one test method cannot be compared directly with the other test method nor with those obtained from tests employing different conditions of missile velocity, impinging surface diameter, effective specimen diameter, and thickness. The values obtained by these test variables are highly dependent on the method of film fabrication.  
The results obtained by Test Methods A and B are greatly influenced by the quality of film under test. The confidence limits of data obtained by this procedure can, therefore, vary significantly, depending on the sample quality, uniformity of film gage, die marks, contaminants, etc. (see Section 15).  
Test Methods A and B have been found useful for specification purposes. Correlation between test results and field performance can usually be established.  
The impact resistance of plastic film, while partly dependent on thickness, has no simple correlation with sample thickness. Hence, impact values cannot be normalized over a range of thickness without producing misleading data as to the actual impact resistance of the material. Data from these test methods are comparable only for specimens that vary by no more than ±25 % from the nominal or average thickness of the specimens tested.  
Several impact test methods are used for film. It is sometimes desirable to know the relationships among test results derived by different test methods. A study was conducted in which four films made from two resins (polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene), with two film thicknesses for each resin, were impacted using Test Methods D 1709 (Method A), D 3420 (Procedures A and B), and D 4272. The test results are shown in the Appendix. Differences in results between Test Methods D 1709 and D 4272 may be expected since Test Methods D 1709 represents failure initiated energy, while Test Method D 4272 is i...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the energy that causes plastic film to fail under specified conditions of impact of a free-falling dart. This energy is expressed in terms of the weight (mass) of the missile falling from a specified height which would result in 50 % failure of specimens tested.  
1.2 Two test methods are described:  
1.2.1 Test Method A employs a dart with a 38.10 ± 0.13-mm (1.500 ± 0.005-in.) diameter hemispherical head dropped from a height of 0.66 ± 0.01 m (26.0 ± 0.4 in.). This test method may be used for films whose impact resistances require masses of about 50 g or less to about 2 kg to fracture them.  
1.2.2 Test Method B employs a dart with a 50.80 ± 0.13-mm (2.000 ± 0.005-in.) diameter hemispherical head dropped from a height of 1.50 ± 0.03 m (60.0 + 0.25, −1.70 in.). Its range of applicability is from about 0.3 kg to about 2 kg.  
1.3 Two testing techniques are described:  
1.3.1 The standard technique is the staircase method. By this technique, a uniform missile weight increment is employed during test and the missile weight is decreased or increased by the uniform increment after test of each specimen, depending upon the result (fail or not fail) observed for the specimen.  
1.3.2 The alternative technique provides for testing specimens in successive groups of ten. One missile weight is employed for each group and missile weight is varied in uniform increments from group to group.  
1.3.3 The staircase technique and the alternative technique give equivalent results both as to the values of impact failure weight which are obtained and as to the precisions with which they are determined.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information only.  
Note 1—Tests on materials that do not break, for any reason, are not considered to be valid. It has been noted that certain materials may stretch so far as ...

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 D1709-04 - Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D1709-09 - Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E154/E154M-08a(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Earth Under Concrete Slabs, on Walls, or as Ground Cover
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D3420-21 - Standard Test Method for Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic 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 D8065/D8065M-16 - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Specifying Plastic Films
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F2097-20 - Standard Guide for Design and Evaluation of Primary Flexible Packaging for Medical Products
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D5628-18 - Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid Plastic Specimens by Means of a Falling Dart (Tup or Falling Mass)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D2103-15 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4272/D4272M-23 - Standard Test Method for Total Energy Impact of Plastic Films by Dart Drop
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1745-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM A674-22 - Standard Practice for Polyethylene Encasement for Ductile Iron Pipe
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM G218-19 - Standard Guide for External Corrosion Protection of Ductile Iron Pipe Utilizing Polyethylene Encasement Supplemented by Cathodic Protection
• 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 D3981-09a(2016) - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Films Made from Medium-Density Polyethylene for General Use and Packaging Applications
• 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:D 1709–08
Standard Test Methods for
Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart
1
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1709; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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* 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
only.
energythatcausesplasticfilmtofailunderspecifiedconditions
of impact of a free-falling dart. This energy is expressed in
NOTE 1—Tests on materials that do not break, for any reason, are not
terms of the weight (mass) of the missile falling from a consideredtobevalid.Ithasbeennotedthatcertainmaterialsmaystretch
so far as to bottom out at the base of certain test instruments without
specified height which would result in 50% failure of speci-
actually rupturing. Subcommittee D20.19 is currently considering meth-
mens tested.
odsfortestingthesematerials.AnyoneinterestedinparticipatinginaTask
1.2 Two test methods are described:
Group should contact the Chairman of Subcommittee D20.19 through
1.2.1 Test Method A employs a dart with a
ASTM International Headquarters.
38.10 60.13-mm (1.500 60.005-in.) diameter hemispherical
NOTE 2—This test method is technically equivalent to ISO 7765-1:
head dropped from a height of 0.66 60.01 m (26.0 60.4 in.).
1988, with the exception of a larger tolerance on the drop height in Test
This test method may be used for films whose impact resis- Method B. Also, the ISO method does not allow the alternative testing
technique described in Section 11 of this test method.
tances require masses of about 50 g or less to about 2 kg to
fracture them.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety
1.2.2 Test Method B employs a dart with a
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
50.80 60.13-mm (2.000 60.005-in.) diameter hemispherical
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
head dropped from a height of 1.50 60.03 m (60.0+0.25,
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
−1.70 in.). Its range of applicability is from about 0.3 kg to
limitations prior to use.
about 2 kg.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 Two testing techniques are described:
2
1.3.1 The standard technique is the staircase method. By
2.1 ASTM Standards:
thistechnique,auniformmissileweightincrementisemployed
D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu-
during test and the missile weight is decreased or increased by
lation
the uniform increment after test of each specimen, depending
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
upon the result (fail or not fail) observed for the specimen.
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
1.3.2 The alternative technique provides for testing speci-
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion
mens in successive groups of ten. One missile weight is
Materials for Wire and Cable
employed for each group and missile weight is varied in
D3420 Test Method for Pendulum Impact Resistance of
uniform increments from group to group.
Plastic Film
1.3.3 The staircase technique and the alternative technique
D4272 Test Method for Total Energy Impact of Plastic
give equivalent results both as to the values of impact failure
Films By Dart Drop
weight which are obtained and as to the precisions with which
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
they are determined.
ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
2
Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Sheeting. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2008. Published November 2008. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D1709–04. the ASTM website.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D 1709–08
2.2 ISO Standard: initiated energy, while Test Method D4272 is initiation plus
ISO 7765:1988 Plastic Film and Sheeting—Determination comple
...

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:D 1709–04 Designation:D 1709–08
Standard Test Methods for
Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart
1
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1709; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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 Thesetestmethodscoverthedeterminationoftheenergythatcausesplasticfilmtofailunderspecifiedconditionsofimpact
of a free-falling dart. This energy is expressed in terms of the weight (mass) of the missile falling from a specified height which
would result in 50% failure of specimens tested.
1.2 Two test methods are described:
1.2.1 Test Method A employs a dart with a 38.10 60.13-mm [(1.500 60.005-in.]) diameter hemispherical head dropped from
aheightof0.66 60.01m[26.060.4in.].(26.0 60.4in.).Thistestmethodmaybeusedforfilmswhoseimpactresistancesrequire
masses of about 50 g or less to about 2 kg to fracture them.
1.2.2 Test Method B employs a dart with a 50.80 60.13-mm [(2.000 60.005-in.]) diameter hemispherical head dropped from
a height of 1.50 60.03 m [(60.0+0.25, −1.70 in.].in.). Its range of applicability is from about 0.3 kg to about 2 kg.
1.3 Two testing techniques are described:
1.3.1 Thestandardtechniqueisthestaircasemethod.Bythistechnique,auniformmissileweightincrementisemployedduring
test and the missile weight is decreased or increased by the uniform increment after test of each specimen, depending upon the
result (fail or not fail) observed for the specimen.
1.3.2 The alternative technique provides for testing specimens in successive groups of ten. One missile weight is employed for
each group and missile weight is varied in uniform increments from group to group.
1.3.3 Thestaircasetechniqueandthealternativetechniquegiveequivalentresultsbothastothevaluesofimpactfailureweight
which are obtained and as to the precisions with which they are determined.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information only.
NOTE 1—Tests on materials that do not break, for any reason, are not considered to be valid. It has been noted that certain materials may stretch so
far as to bottom out at the base of certain test instruments without actually rupturing. Subcommittee D20.19 is currently considering methods for testing
these materials.Anyone interested in participating in a Task Group should contact the Chairman of Subcommittee D20.19 throughASTM International
Headquarters.
NOTE 2—This test method is technically equivalent to ISO 7765-1: 1988, with the exception of a larger tolerance on the drop height in Test Method
B. Also, the ISO method does not allow the alternative testing technique described in Section 11 of this test method.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
D3420Test Method for Dynamic Ball Burst (Pendulum) Impact Resistance of Plastic Film Test Method for Pendulum Impact
Resistance of Plastic Film
D4272 Test Method for Total Energy Impact of Plastic Films byBy Dart Drop
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film and Sheeting .
Current edition approved Oct.Nov. 1, 2004.2008. Published October 2004.November 2008. Originally approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 20032004 as
D1709–034.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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

-----
...