ASTM D1204-14(2020)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is particularly applicable to nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film made by the calender or extrusion process. The test gives an indication of lot-to-lot uniformity in regards to the degree of internal strains introduced during processing.
4.2 The heating medium in this test method is air and does not necessarily yield the same results as Test Method D2732, which uses a liquid medium.
4.3 Before proceeding with this test method, review the specifications of the material being tested, if available. Any test specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions, or testing parameters, or combination thereof, covered in the relevant ASTM material specification shall take precedence over those mentioned in this test method. If there are no relevant ASTM material specifications, then the default conditions apply. Table 1 of Classification System D4000 lists the ASTM material standards that currently exist.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of changes in linear dimensions of nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film that result from exposure of the material to specified conditions of elevated temperature and time.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.3 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.
Note 1: This test method and ISO 11501 address the same matter, but differ in technical content (and results cannot be directly compared between the two methods).
1.4 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
- 31-Mar-2020
- Technical Committee
- D20 - Plastics
- Drafting Committee
- D20.19 - Film, Sheeting, and Molded Products
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2020
- Effective Date
- 01-Feb-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2020
- Effective Date
- 01-Aug-2019
- Effective Date
- 15-Apr-2019
- Effective Date
- 01-Feb-2019
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2018
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2018
- Effective Date
- 15-Aug-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2014
- Effective Date
- 15-Nov-2012
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2012
- Effective Date
- 15-May-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2011
Overview
ASTM D1204-14(2020) is the standardized test method for measuring linear dimensional changes of nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film when exposed to elevated temperatures. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is most applicable to materials made by calendering or extrusion. It serves as a vital tool for assessing the uniformity and quality of nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film, ensuring that products meet specific performance requirements during thermal exposure.
The test method uses air as the heating medium and provides clear guidance on sample preparation, conditioning, and measurement procedures. ASTM D1204 is used extensively in quality control, lot-to-lot consistency checks, and material specification compliance for nonrigid thermoplastic products.
Key Topics
- Applicability: Designed for nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting and film, especially those produced by calendering or extrusion processes.
- Purpose: Evaluates dimensional changes (shrinkage or expansion) after exposure to specified temperatures and durations.
- Uniformity Assessment: Indicates lot-to-lot uniformity and the presence of internal strains due to manufacturing.
- Heating Medium: Utilizes air in the heating process, which may yield different results compared to liquid-based methods.
- Specimen Preparation: Test conditions and specimen dimensions may be specified by other relevant ASTM material standards.
- Test Reporting: Requires documenting material identification, test conditions, and average percentage linear change in both processing directions.
- Safety and Compliance: Users are responsible for safety and for verifying regulatory and material specification requirements.
Applications
The ASTM D1204-14(2020) standard is essential for industries that manufacture or convert nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting and films. Its main areas of application include:
- Quality Control in Manufacturing: Used to monitor batch consistency and to detect variations in processing that could affect product performance.
- Material Validation: Confirms that thermoplastic films and sheets will maintain dimensional stability when subjected to heat, which is critical in packaging, construction, automotive, and consumer goods.
- Specification Compliance: Provides a standardized method to verify that products meet the dimensional change criteria set by industry or customer specifications.
- Product Development: Assists manufacturers and formulators in refining processing parameters to minimize internal strain and improve thermal stability.
- Comparative Evaluation: Enables buyers and specifiers to compare different supplier lots or different products using a recognized testing protocol.
Related Standards
Several other ASTM and international standards are relevant when using or specifying ASTM D1204-14(2020):
- ASTM D2732: Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal Shrinkage of Plastic Film and Sheeting (uses a liquid heating medium for comparison).
- ASTM D4000: Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials - Provides a framework for referencing material specifications.
- ASTM D618: Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing - Outlines standard conditioning procedures for plastic specimens.
- ASTM D883: Terminology Relating to Plastics - Defines key terms used in the plastics industry.
- ISO 11501: Plastics - Film and Sheeting - Determination of Dimensional Change on Heating (addresses a similar topic though not directly comparable).
Practical Value
Adhering to ASTM D1204-14(2020) ensures confidence in the thermal stability and dimensional integrity of nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film. Manufacturers, suppliers, and end-users benefit from enhanced quality assurance, traceability, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements for plastic sheeting and film products used across a wide range of industries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D1204-14(2020) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This test method is particularly applicable to nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film made by the calender or extrusion process. The test gives an indication of lot-to-lot uniformity in regards to the degree of internal strains introduced during processing. 4.2 The heating medium in this test method is air and does not necessarily yield the same results as Test Method D2732, which uses a liquid medium. 4.3 Before proceeding with this test method, review the specifications of the material being tested, if available. Any test specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions, or testing parameters, or combination thereof, covered in the relevant ASTM material specification shall take precedence over those mentioned in this test method. If there are no relevant ASTM material specifications, then the default conditions apply. Table 1 of Classification System D4000 lists the ASTM material standards that currently exist. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers the measurement of changes in linear dimensions of nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film that result from exposure of the material to specified conditions of elevated temperature and time. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. 1.3 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. Note 1: This test method and ISO 11501 address the same matter, but differ in technical content (and results cannot be directly compared between the two methods). 1.4 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.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This test method is particularly applicable to nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film made by the calender or extrusion process. The test gives an indication of lot-to-lot uniformity in regards to the degree of internal strains introduced during processing. 4.2 The heating medium in this test method is air and does not necessarily yield the same results as Test Method D2732, which uses a liquid medium. 4.3 Before proceeding with this test method, review the specifications of the material being tested, if available. Any test specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions, or testing parameters, or combination thereof, covered in the relevant ASTM material specification shall take precedence over those mentioned in this test method. If there are no relevant ASTM material specifications, then the default conditions apply. Table 1 of Classification System D4000 lists the ASTM material standards that currently exist. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers the measurement of changes in linear dimensions of nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film that result from exposure of the material to specified conditions of elevated temperature and time. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. 1.3 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. Note 1: This test method and ISO 11501 address the same matter, but differ in technical content (and results cannot be directly compared between the two methods). 1.4 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.
ASTM D1204-14(2020) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D1204-14(2020) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D1204-14, ASTM D883-24, ASTM D883-23, ASTM D883-20, ASTM D883-19c, ASTM D883-19a, ASTM D883-19, ASTM D883-18a, ASTM D883-18, ASTM D883-17, ASTM D2732-14, ASTM D883-12e1, ASTM D4000-12, ASTM D883-11, ASTM D4000-11. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D1204-14(2020) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
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: D1204 − 14 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic
Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1204; 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 2.2 ISO Standard
ISO 11501 Plastics: Film and Sheeting—Determination of
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of changes in
Dimensional Change on Heating
linear dimensions of nonrigid thermoplastic sheeting or film
thatresultfromexposureofthematerialtospecifiedconditions
3. Terminology
of elevated temperature and time.
3.1 Definitions—Terms applicable to this test method are
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
defined in Terminology D883.
standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 This test method is particularly applicable to nonrigid
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
thermoplastic sheeting or film made by the calender or extru-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
sion process. The test gives an indication of lot-to-lot unifor-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mity in regards to the degree of internal strains introduced
NOTE 1—This test method and ISO 11501 address the same matter, but
during processing.
differ in technical content (and results cannot be directly compared
4.2 The heating medium in this test method is air and does
between the two methods).
not necessarily yield the same results as Test Method D2732,
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
which uses a liquid medium.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.3 Before proceeding with this test method, review the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
specificationsofthematerialbeingtested,ifavailable.Anytest
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions, or testing
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
parameters, or combination thereof, covered in the relevant
ASTM material specification shall take precedence over those
2. Referenced Documents
mentioned in this test method. If there are no relevant ASTM
material specifications, then the default conditions apply.Table
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1 of Classification System D4000 lists the ASTM material
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
standards that currently exist.
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D2732 Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal
5. Apparatus
Shrinkage of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materi-
5.1 Oven—Amechanical convection oven capable of main-
als
taining a temperature of 100 6 1°C.
5.2 Scale, graduated in 0.25-mm (0.01-in.) divisions, 30 cm
(12 in.) or more in length.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
5.3 Thermometer, graduated in 1°C divisions, with a range
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting, and
Molded Products.
suitable for the test temperature used.
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally
5.4 Timer, graduated in minutes.
approved in 1952. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D1204 - 14. DOI:
10.1520/D1204-14R20.
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 Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.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. United States
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