ASTM D638-14

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is designed to produce tensile property data for the control and specification of plastic materials. These data are also useful for qualitative characterization and for research and development.  
4.2 Some material specifications that require the use of this test method, but with some procedural modifications that take precedence when adhering to the specification. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to that material specification before using this test method. Table 1 in Classification D4000 lists the ASTM materials standards that currently exist.  
4.3 Tensile properties are known to vary with specimen preparation and with speed and environment of testing. Consequently, where precise comparative results are desired, these factors must be carefully controlled.  
4.4 It is realized that a material cannot be tested without also testing the method of preparation of that material. Hence, when comparative tests of materials per se are desired, exercise great care to ensure that all samples are prepared in exactly the same way, unless the test is to include the effects of sample preparation. Similarly, for referee purposes or comparisons within any given series of specimens, care shall be taken to secure the maximum degree of uniformity in details of preparation, treatment, and handling.  
4.5 Tensile properties provide useful data for plastics engineering design purposes. However, because of the high degree of sensitivity exhibited by many plastics to rate of straining and environmental conditions, data obtained by this test method cannot be considered valid for applications involving load-time scales or environments widely different from those of this test method. In cases of such dissimilarity, no reliable estimation of the limit of usefulness can be made for most plastics. This sensitivity to rate of straining and environment necessitates testing over a broad load-time scale (including impact and creep) and range of environmental conditions i...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tensile properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics in the form of standard dumbbell-shaped test specimens when tested under defined conditions of pretreatment, temperature, humidity, and testing machine speed.  
1.2 This test method is applicable for testing materials of any thickness up to 14 mm (0.55 in.). However, for testing specimens in the form of thin sheeting, including film less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) in thickness, ASTM standard D882 is the preferred test method. Materials with a thickness greater than 14 mm (0.55 in.) shall be reduced by machining.  
1.3 This test method includes the option of determining Poisson's ratio at room temperature.
Note 1: This standard and ISO 527-1 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content.
Note 2: This test method is not intended to cover precise physical procedures. It is recognized that the constant rate of crosshead movement type of test leaves much to be desired from a theoretical standpoint, that wide differences may exist between rate of crosshead movement and rate of strain between gage marks on the specimen, and that the testing speeds specified disguise important effects characteristic of materials in the plastic state. Further, it is realized that variations in the thicknesses of test specimens, which are permitted by these procedures, produce variations in the surface-volume ratios of such specimens, and that these variations may influence the test results. Hence, where directly comparable results are desired, all samples should be of equal thickness. Special additional tests should be used where more precise physical data are needed.
Note 3: This test method may be used for testing phenolic molded resin or laminated materials. However, where these materials are used as electrical insulation, such materials should be tested in accordance with Test Methods D229 and Test Method D651...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Dec-2014
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.10 - Mechanical 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: D638 − 14
Standard Test Method for
1
Tensile Properties of Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D638; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* consider the precautions and limitations of this method found
in Note 2 and Section 4 before considering these data for
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tensile
engineering design.
properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics in the form
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
ofstandarddumbbell-shapedtestspecimenswhentestedunder
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
defined conditions of pretreatment, temperature, humidity, and
only.
testing machine speed.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2 This test method is applicable for testing materials of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
any thickness up to 14 mm (0.55 in.). However, for testing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
specimensintheformofthinsheeting,includingfilmlessthan
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.0 mm (0.04 in.) in thickness, ASTM standard D882 is the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
preferred test method. Materials with a thickness greater than
14 mm (0.55 in.) shall be reduced by machining.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 This test method includes the option of determining
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Poisson’s ratio at room temperature.
D229Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials
NOTE 1—This standard and ISO 527-1 address the same subject matter,
Used for Electrical Insulation
but differ in technical content.
D412TestMethodsforVulcanizedRubberandThermoplas-
NOTE 2—This test method is not intended to cover precise physical
tic Elastomers—Tension
procedures. It is recognized that the constant rate of crosshead movement
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
type of test leaves much to be desired from a theoretical standpoint, that
wide differences may exist between rate of crosshead movement and rate
D651Test Method for Test for Tensile Strength of Molded
3
of strain between gage marks on the specimen, and that the testing speeds
Electrical Insulating Materials (Withdrawn 1989)
specified disguise important effects characteristic of materials in the
D882Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
plastic state. Further, it is realized that variations in the thicknesses of test
Sheeting
specimens,whicharepermittedbytheseprocedures,producevariationsin
thesurface-volumeratiosofsuchspecimens,andthatthesevariationsmay D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
influence the test results. Hence, where directly comparable results are
D1822Test Method for Tensile-Impact Energy to Break
desired, all samples should be of equal thickness. Special additional tests
Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
should be used where more precise physical data are needed.
D3039/D3039MTest Method forTensile Properties of Poly-
NOTE 3—This test method may be used for testing phenolic molded
mer Matrix Composite Materials
resin or laminated materials. However, where these materials are used as
D4000Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materi-
electrical insulation, such materials should be tested in accordance with
Test Methods D229 and Test Method D651.
als
NOTE 4—For tensile properties of resin-matrix composites reinforced
D4066Classification System for Nylon Injection and Extru-
with oriented continuous or discontinuous high modulus >20-GPa
sion Materials (PA)
6
(>3.0×10 -psi) fibers, tests shall be made in accordance with Test
D5947Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
Method D3039/D3039M.
Plastics Specimens
1.4 Test data obtained by this test method have been found
E4Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
to be useful in engineering design. However, it is important to
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.10 on Mechanical Properties. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2014. Published March 2015. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D638-10. DOI: The last approved version of this historica
...

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: D638 − 10 D638 − 14
Standard Test Method for
1
Tensile Properties of Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D638; 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 test method covers the determination of the tensile properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics in the form of
standard dumbbell-shaped test specimens when tested under defined conditions of pretreatment, temperature, humidity, and testing
machine speed.
1.2 This test method can be used is applicable for testing materials of any thickness up to 14 mm (0.55 in.). However, for testing
specimens in the form of thin sheeting, including film less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) in thickness, Test MethodsASTM standard D882
is the preferred test method. Materials with a thickness greater than 14 mm (0.55 in.) mustshall be reduced by machining.
1.3 This test method includes the option of determining Poisson’s ratio at room temperature.
NOTE 1—This test method standard and ISO 527-1 are technically equivalent.address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content.
NOTE 2—This test method is not intended to cover precise physical procedures. It is recognized that the constant rate of crosshead movement type of
test leaves much to be desired from a theoretical standpoint, that wide differences may exist between rate of crosshead movement and rate of strain
between gage marks on the specimen, and that the testing speeds specified disguise important effects characteristic of materials in the plastic state. Further,
it is realized that variations in the thicknesses of test specimens, which are permitted by these procedures, produce variations in the surface-volume ratios
of such specimens, and that these variations may influence the test results. Hence, where directly comparable results are desired, all samples should be
of equal thickness. Special additional tests should be used where more precise physical data are needed.
NOTE 3—This test method may be used for testing phenolic molded resin or laminated materials. However, where these materials are used as electrical
insulation, such materials should be tested in accordance with Test Methods D229 and Test Method D651.
NOTE 4—For tensile properties of resin-matrix composites reinforced with oriented continuous or discontinuous high modulus >20-GPa
6
[>3.0 × 10(>3.0 × 10 -psi) fibers, tests shall be made in accordance with Test Method D3039/D3039M.
1.4 Test data obtained by this test method are relevant and appropriate for use have been found to be useful in engineering
design. However, it is important to consider the precautions and limitations of this method found in Note 2 and Section 4 before
considering these data for engineering design.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D229 Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
D412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
3
D651 Test Method for Test for Tensile Strength of Molded Electrical Insulating Materials (Withdrawn 1989)
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1822 Test Method for Tensile-Impact Energy to Break Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
D3039/D3039M Test Method for Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.10 on Mechanical Properties.
Current edition approved May 15, 2010Dec. 15, 2014. Published June 2010March 2015. Originally approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 20082010 as
D638 - 08.D638 - 10. DOI: 10.1520/D0638-10.10.1520/D0638-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standar
...