ASTM F736-17

Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Monolithic Polycarbonate Sheet by Means of a Falling Weight

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice is applicable for qualitatively evaluating coated and uncoated monolithic polycarbonate sheet material, for monitoring process control, for screening studies, and as an aid in the prediction of hardware performance when exposed to impact service conditions.  
5.2 A limitation of Type A specimen testing is that a thick sheet may not fail since the available impact energy is limited by the maximum drop height and falling weight capacity of the test apparatus. Use Specimen Type A for material less than 12.7 mm (0.50 in.) thick.  
5.3 Within the range of drop heights of this system, tests employing different velocities are not expected to produce different results. However, for a given series of tests, the drop height should be held constant so that velocity of impact (strain rate) will not be a variable.  
5.4 As the polycarbonate specimen undergoes large plastic deformation under impact, the down (opposite impact) side is under tensile loading and most influential in initiating failure. For that reason, polycarbonate sheet coated on one side should be tested with the coated side down.  
5.5 Direct comparison of specimen Type A and specimen Type B test results should not be attempted. For test programs that will require the comparison of interlaboratory test results the specimen type and the approximate drop height must be specified.  
5.6 Monolithic polycarbonate sheet is notch sensitive. Data obtained from other test methods, particularly notched Izod/Charpy test results, and extremely high- or low-strain rate test results, should not be compared directly to data obtained from this method. It is noted that Type A specimens, free of flaws, have not experienced the characteristic ductile-to-brittle transition between thin, less than 3.18 mm (1/8 in.), and thick, greater than 7.94 mm (5/16 in.), sheet as reflected by other test methods.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the energy required to initiate failure in monolithic polycarbonate sheet material under specified conditions of impact using a free falling weight.  
1.2 Two specimen types are defined as follows:  
1.2.1 Type A consists of a flat plate test specimen and employs a clamped ring support.  
1.2.2 Type B consists of a simply supported three-point loaded beam specimen (Fig. 1) for use with material which can not be failed using the Type A specimen. For a maximum drop height of 6.096 m (20 ft) and a maximum drop weight of 22.68 kg (50 lb), virgin polycarbonate greater than 12.70 mm (1/2 in.) thick will require use of the Type B specimen.  
Note 1: See also ASTM Methods: D1709, D2444 and D3029.
FIG. 1 Type B Specimen Geometry and Loading  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3.1 Exception—The inch-pound units 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statement, See Section 7.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2017
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: F07 - Aerospace and Aircraft
• Drafting Committee: F07.08 - Transparent Enclosures and Materials

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: F736 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Impact Resistance of Monolithic Polycarbonate Sheet by
1
Means of a Falling Weight
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF736;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the energy
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
required to initiate failure in monolithic polycarbonate sheet
D790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced
material under specified conditions of impact using a free
and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-
falling weight.
als
1.2 Two specimen types are defined as follows:
1.2.1 Type A consists of a flat plate test specimen and 3. Terminology
employs a clamped ring support.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2.2 Type B consists of a simply supported three-point
3.1.1 failure (of test specimen)—failure is signified by the
loaded beam specimen (Fig. 1) for use with material which can
presence of any crack or split in the impact-deformed area that
not be failed using the TypeAspecimen. For a maximum drop was created by the impact of the falling weight and that can be
height of 6.096 m (20 ft) and a maximum drop weight of 22.68
seen by the naked eye.
1
kg (50 lb), virgin polycarbonate greater than 12.70 mm ( ⁄2 in.)
4. Summary of Test Method
thick will require use of the Type B specimen.
4.1 The test procedure to cause failure covers a range of
NOTE 1—See also ASTM Methods: D1709, D2444 and D3029.
impact energies and differs with respect to geometry and
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
support of test specimen Type A and test specimen Type B.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Guidelines are established to control drop heights, impact
standard.
velocity, drop weights, impactor heads, impactor release,
1.3.1 Exception—The inch-pound units in parentheses are impactorrebound,impactlocation,andspecimenconfiguration
which are applicable to a falling weight impact tester designed
provided for information only.
to accommodate Type A or Type B test specimens, or both,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
fabricated from monolithic polycarbonate sheet material.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 This practice is applicable for qualitatively evaluating
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
coated and uncoated monolithic polycarbonate sheet material,
statement, See Section 7.
for monitoring process control, for screening studies, and as an
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
aidinthepredictionofhardwareperformancewhenexposedto
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
impact service conditions.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.2 A limitation of Type A specimen testing is that a thick
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
sheet may not fail since the available impact energy is limited
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
by the maximum drop height and falling weight capacity of the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
testapparatus.UseSpecimenTypeAformateriallessthan12.7
mm (0.50 in.) thick.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F07 on
Aerospace and Aircraft and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F07.08 on
2
Transparent Enclosures and Materials. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2017. Published June 2017. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F736 – 95 (2011). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/F0736-17. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F736 − 17
FIG. 1 Type B Specimen Geometry and Loading
5.3 Within the range of drop heights of this system, tests 6.1.2 Drop Weight—Thefallingweightsshallbedetachable,
employing different velocities are not expected to produce
interchangeable, and variable in small known increments from
different results. However, for a given series of tests, the drop a total of 0.45
...

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: F736 − 95 (Reapproved 2011) F736 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Impact Resistance of Monolithic Polycarbonate Sheet by
1
Means of a Falling Weight
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F736; 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
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the energy required to initiate failure in monolithic polycarbonate sheet
material under specified conditions of impact using a free falling weight.
1.2 Two specimen types are defined as follows:
1.2.1 Type A consists of a flat plate test specimen and employs a clamped ring support.
1.2.2 Type B consists of a simply supported three-point loaded beam specimen (Fig. 1) and is recommended for use with
material which can not be failed using the Type A specimen. For a maximum drop height of 6.096 m (20 ft) and a maximum drop
1
weight of 22.68 kg (50 lb), virgin polycarbonate greater than 12.70 mm ( ⁄2 in.) thick will probably require use of the Type B
specimen.
NOTE 1—See also ASTM Methods: D1709, D2444 and D3029.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3.1 Exception—The inch-pound units 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statement, See Section 7.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 failure (of test specimen)—failure is signified by the presence of any crack or split in the impact-deformed area that was
created by the impact of the falling weight and that can be seen by the naked eye.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The test procedure to cause failure covers a range of impact energies and differs with respect to geometry and support of
test specimen Type A and test specimen Type B. Guidelines are established to control drop heights, impact velocity, drop weights,
impactor heads, impactor release, impactor rebound, impact location, and specimen configuration which are applicable to a falling
weight impact tester designed to accommodate Type A or Type B test specimens, or both, fabricated from monolithic polycarbonate
sheet material.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F07 on Aerospace and Aircraft and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F07.08 on Transparent
Enclosures and Materials.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2011June 1, 2017. Published April 2012June 2017. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 20062011 as F736 – 95
(2006).(2011). DOI: 10.1520/F0736-95R11.10.1520/F0736-17.
2
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 ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F736 − 17
FIG. 1 Type B Specimen Geometry and Loading
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice is applicable for qualitatively evaluating coated and uncoated monolithic polycarbonate sheet material, for
monitoring process control, for screening studies, and as an aid in the prediction of hardware performance when exposed to impact
service conditions.
5.2 A limitation of Type A specimen testing is that a thick sheet may not fail since the available impact energy is limited by
the maximum drop height and falli
...