ASTM D2103-23a
(Specification)Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film
Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film
ABSTRACT
This specification covers the classification of polyethylene film and sheeting. Recycled polyethylene film or resin may be used as feedstock, and the film or sheeting may contain additives for surface property improvement, pigments, or stabilizers, or a combination of these, but they must conform to the requirements specified. Material covered in this specification shall be designated by a five-digit type number, with each numeral (from 0 to 5) indicating the cell limit within which the values of the density, impact strength, kinetic coefficient of friction, haze, and nominal thickness of the material falls under. The sheet or film shall be manufactured free, as commercially possible, of gels, streaks, pinholes, particles of foreign matter, and undispersed raw material, and without any other visible defects such as holes, tears, or blisters. The edges of the sheet or film shall be free of nicks and cuts. The surface of the sheet or film may also be treated by flame, corona discharge, or other means to improve the surface properties. Tests to determine the density, impact strength, kinetic coefficient of friction, haze, and nominal thickness of the material shall be performed and shall conform to the requirements specified.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the classification of polyethylene film up to 0.254 mm (0.010 in.) in thickness, inclusive. The film can contain additives for the improvement of the surface properties, pigments, or stabilizers, or combinations thereof.
Note 1: Film is defined in Terminology D883 as an optional term for sheeting having a nominal thickness no greater than 0.254 mm (0.010 in.).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 8, of this specification: 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.
1.4 This specification allows for the use of recycled polyethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long as all the requirements as governed by the producer and end user are also met.
Note 2: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
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.
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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: D2103 − 23a
Standard Specification for
1
Polyethylene Film
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2103; 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* D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
1.1 This specification covers the classification of polyethyl-
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
ene film up to 0.254 mm (0.010 in.) in thickness, inclusive. The
Sheeting
film can contain additives for the improvement of the surface
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
properties, pigments, or stabilizers, or combinations thereof.
D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance
NOTE 1—Film is defined in Terminology D883 as an optional term for
of Transparent Plastics
sheeting having a nominal thickness no greater than 0.254 mm (0.010 in.).
D1004 Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Plastic Film and Sheeting
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
D1434 Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Char-
only.
acteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
Gradient Technique
test method portion, Section 8, of this specification: This
D1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
by the Free-Falling Dart Method
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
D1746 Test Method for Transparency of Plastic Sheeting
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
D1894 Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
3
Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting (Withdrawn 2023)
regulatory limitations prior to use.
D1922 Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of
1.4 This specification allows for the use of recycled poly-
Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
ethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long
D1938 Test Method for Tear-Propagation Resistance (Trou-
as all the requirements as governed by the producer and end
ser Tear) of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by a Single-
user are also met.
Tear Method
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
D2457 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Solid Plastics
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
D2578 Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Polypropylene Films
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
D2839 Practice for Use of a Melt Index Strand for Deter-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
mining Density of Polyethylene
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
D4321 Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
2. Referenced Documents
D4703 Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D4976 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
Extrusion Materials
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
D5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting,
Plastics Specimens
and Molded Products.
D6988 Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally
Test Specimens
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2023 as D2103 – 23. DOI:
10.1520/D2103-23A.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
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.
*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. Un
...
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: D2103 − 23 D2103 − 23a
Standard Specification for
1
Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2103; 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*
1.1 This specification covers the classification of polyethylene film and sheeting up to 0.3 mm (0.0120.254 mm (0.010 in.) in
thickness, inclusive. The film or sheeting can contain additives for the improvement of the surface properties, pigments, or
stabilizers, or combinations thereof.
NOTE 1—Film is defined in Terminology D883 as an optional term for sheeting having a nominal thickness no greater than 0.254 mm (0.010 in.).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 8, of this specification: 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.
1.4 This specification allows for the use of recycled polyethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long as all the
requirements as governed by the producer and end user are also met (see met.Note 2).
NOTE 2—Guide D7209 describes terminology and definitions related to recycled plastics.
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
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
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
1
This specification 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 Nov. 15, 2023Dec. 1, 2023. Published November 2023December 2023. Originally approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 20152023
as D2103 – 15.D2103 – 23. DOI: 10.1520/D2103-23.10.1520/D2103-23A.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For 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
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D2103 − 23a
TABLE 1 Type Numbers
Property
Order Property 0 1 2 3 4 5 Units
Number
A 3
1 Density unspecified 0.910–<0.926 0.926–<0.941 0.941–0.965 <0.910 . g/cm
2 Impact strength unspecified <40 40–70 71–150 151–300 >300 grams
G
3 Coefficient of friction unspecified <0.20 0.20–0.40 0.41–0.70 >0.70 . .
4 Haze unspecified <5.0 5.0–9.0 >9.0 . . .
B C D E F
5 Nominal thickness unspecified mm (in.)
A
Annealed density of molded plaques or Melt Index extrudates.
B
<0.0254 (<0.0010).
C
0.0254–<0.0508 (0.0010–<0.0020)
D
0.0508–<0.1016 (0.0020–<0.0040)
E
0.1016–<0.1778 (0.0040–<0.0070)
F
0.1778–#0.3048 (0.0070–#0.0120)0.1778–#0.2540 (0.0070–#0.0100)
G
Coefficient of friction listed in this table is based on the kinetic coefficient of friction.
D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
D1004 Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D1434 Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
D1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Metho
...
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