ASTM F88/F88M-21

Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Seal strength is a quantitative measure for use in process validation, process control, and capability. Seal strength is not only relevant to opening force and package integrity, but to measuring the packaging processes’ ability to produce consistent seals. Seal strength at some minimum level is a necessary package requirement, and at times it is desirable to limit the strength of the seal to facilitate opening.  
4.1.1 The maximum seal force is important information, but for some applications, average force to open the seal may be useful, and in those cases also should be reported.
FIG. 1 Tail Holding Methods  
4.2 A portion of the force measured when testing materials may be a bending component and not seal strength alone. A number of fixtures and techniques have been devised to hold samples at various angles to the pull direction to control this bending force. Because the effect of each of these on test results is varied, consistent use of one technique (Technique A, Technique B, or Technique C) throughout a test series is recommended. Examples of fixtures and techniques are illustrated in Fig. 1.  
4.2.1 Technique A: Unsupported—Each tail of the specimen is secured in opposing grips and the seal remains unsupported while the test is being conducted.  
4.2.2 Technique B: Supported 90° (By Hand)—Each tail of the specimen is secured in opposing grips and the seal remains hand-supported at a 90° perpendicular angle to the tails while the test is being conducted.  
4.2.3 Technique C: Supported 180°—The least flexible tail is supported flat against a rigid alignment plate held in one grip. The more flexible tail is folded 180° over the seal and is held in the opposing grip while the test is being conducted.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the strength of seals in flexible barrier materials.  
1.2 The test may be conducted on seals between a flexible material and a rigid material.  
1.3 Seals tested in accordance with this test method may be from any source, laboratory or commercial.  
1.4 This test method measures the force required to separate a test strip of material containing the seal. It also identifies the mode of specimen failure.  
1.5 This test method differs from Test Method F2824. Test Method F2824 measures mechanical seal strength while separating an entire lid (cover/membrane) from a rigid or semi-rigid round container.  
1.6 This test method differs from Test Method F904. Test Method F904 measures the bond strength or ply adhesion of laminates made from flexible materials such as cellulose, paper, plastic film, and foil.  
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.8 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.  
1.9 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: 14-Nov-2021
• ICS: 55.040 - Packaging materials and accessories
• Technical Committee: F02 - Primary Barrier Packaging
• Drafting Committee: F02.20 - Physical Properties

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: F88/F88M − 21
Standard Test Method for
1
Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F88/F88M; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the strength 2.1 ASTM Standards:
of seals in flexible barrier materials. D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
Sheeting
1.2 The test may be conducted on seals between a flexible
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier
material and a rigid material.
Packaging
1.3 Seals tested in accordance with this test method may be
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
from any source, laboratory or commercial.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F17 Terminology Relating to Primary Barrier Packaging
1.4 This test method measures the force required to separate
a test strip of material containing the seal. It also identifies the F904 Test Method for Comparison of Bond Strength or Ply
Adhesion of Similar Laminates Made from Flexible Ma-
mode of specimen failure.
terials
1.5 This test method differs from Test Method F2824. Test
F2824 Test Method for Mechanical Seal Strength Testing for
Method F2824 measures mechanical seal strength while sepa-
Round Cups and Bowl Containers with Flexible Peelable
rating an entire lid (cover/membrane) from a rigid or semi-rigid
Lids
round container.
1.6 This test method differs from Test Method F904. Test
3. Terminology
Method F904 measures the bond strength or ply adhesion of
3.1 Definitions:
laminates made from flexible materials such as cellulose,
3.1.1 average seal strength, n—average force per unit width
paper, plastic film, and foil.
of seal required to fully separate a flexible material from a rigid
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
material or another flexible material, under the conditions of
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
the test.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The average force normally is calcu-
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
lated by the testing machine from the digitized plot of force
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
versus grip travel. The plot starts from zero force after slack
with the standard.
has been removed from the test strip. The initial ramp-up from
zero to the force level required to peel the seal is not indicative
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the of seal strength, and data from that part of the curve should not
be included in the calculation of average strength, nor should
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- the return to zero following complete failure of the specimen.
The amount of data actually discarded on each end of the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor- measured seal-profile curve must be the same for all tests
within any set of comparisons of average seal strength (see
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
6.1.1 and 9.8.1).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.2 maximum seal strength, n—maximum force per unit
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
width of seal required to completely separate a flexible material
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
from a rigid material or another flexible material, under the
conditions of the test.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on Primary
Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.20 on
2
Physical Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2021. Published December 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F88/F88M – 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F0088_F0088M-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F88/F88M − 21
4. Significance and Use equipped with a device for recording
...

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: F88/F88M − 15 F88/F88M − 21
Standard Test Method for
1
Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F88/F88M; 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 measurement of the strength of seals in flexible barrier materials.
1.2 The test may be conducted on seals between a flexible material and a rigid material.
1.3 Seals tested in accordance with this test method may be from any source, laboratory or commercial.
1.4 This test method measures the force required to separate a test strip of material containing the seal. It also identifies the mode
of specimen failure.
1.5 This test method differs from Test Method F2824. Test Method F2824 measures mechanical seal strength while separating an
entire lid (cover/membrane) from a rigid or semi-rigid round container.
1.6 This test method differs from Test Method F904. Test Method F904 measures the bond strength or ply adhesion of laminates
made from flexible materials such as cellulose, paper, plastic film, and foil.
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.8 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 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:
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on FlexiblePrimary Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.20 on
Physical Properties.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015Nov. 15, 2021. Published December 2015December 2021. Originally approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 20092015
as F88/F88M – 09.F88/F88M – 15. DOI: 10.1520/F0088_F0088M-15.10.1520/F0088_F0088M-21.
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’sstandard’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 ----------------------
F88/F88M − 21
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Packaging
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F17 Terminology Relating to Primary Barrier Packaging
F904 Test Method for Comparison of Bond Strength or Ply Adhesion of Similar Laminates Made from Flexible Materials
F2824 Test Method for Mechanical Seal Strength Testing for Round Cups and Bowl Containers with Flexible Peelable Lids
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 average seal strength, n—average force per unit width of seal required to fully separate progressively a flexible material from
a rigid material or another flexible material, under the conditions of the test.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
The average force normally is calculated by the testing machine from the digitized plot of force versus grip travel. The plot starts
from zero force after slack has been removed from the test strip. The initial ramp-up from zero to the force level required to peel
the seal is not indicative of seal strength, and data from that part of the curve should not be included in the calculation of average
strength, nor should the return to zero following complete failure of the specimen. The amount of data actually discarded on each
end of the measured seal-profile cu
...