ASTM D3420-21

Standard Test Method for Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Like other techniques to measure toughness, this test method provides a means to determine parameters of a material at strain rates closer to some end-use applications than provided by low-speed uniaxial tensile tests. Dynamic tensile behavior of a film is important, particularly when the film is used as a packaging material. The same uncertainties about correlations with thickness that apply to other impact tests also apply to this test (see section 3.4 of Test Methods D1709). Hence, no provision for rationalizing to unit thickness is provided. Also, no provision is made for testing at non-ambient temperatures.  
5.2 This test method includes two procedures, similar except with regard to sample size: Procedure A for 60-mm diameter and Procedure B for 89-mm diameter (commonly called the “Spencer”). The data have not been shown relatable to each other.  
5.3 Several impact test methods are used for film. It is sometimes desirable to know the relationships among test results derived by different methods. A study was conducted in which four films made from two resins (polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene), with two film thicknesses for each resin, were impacted using Test Methods D1709 (Method A), Test Method D3420 (Procedures A and B), and Test Method D4272. The test results are shown in Appendix X1. Differences in results between Test Methods D1709 and D4272 are expected since Test Methods D1709 represents failure initiated energy while Test Method D4272 is initiation plus completion energy. Some films have shown consistency when the initiation energy was the same as the total energy. This statement and the test data also appear in the significance and appendixes sections of Test Methods of D1709 and D4272.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of resistance of film to impact-puncture penetration. Knowledge of how the impact energy is absorbed by the specimen while it is deforming under the impact loading, and the behavior of the specimen after yielding, is not provided by this test. No provision is made for nonambient temperatures in this test method.  
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. Specific hazards statements are given in Section 7.  
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
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: 30-Apr-2021
• ICS: 83.140.10 - Films and sheets
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.19 - Film, Sheeting, and Molded Products

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: D3420 − 21
Standard Test Method for
1
Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3420; 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* D6988 GuideforDeterminationofThicknessofPlasticFilm
Test Specimens
1.1 This test method covers the determination of resistance
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
of film to impact-puncture penetration. Knowledge of how the
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
impact energy is absorbed by the specimen while it is deform-
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
ing under the impact loading, and the behavior of the specimen
afteryielding,isnotprovidedbythistest.Noprovisionismade
3. Terminology
for nonambient temperatures in this test method.
3.1 Definitions—For definition of terms used in this test
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
method and associated with plastics issues refer to the termi-
standard.
nology contained in D883. For terms relating to precision and
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
bias and associated issues, the terms used in this standard are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
defined in accordance with Terminology E456.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.1 failure completion energy—the energy necessary to
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
initiate failure plus the energy necessary to cause complete
Specific hazards statements are given in Section 7.
rupture to the test specimen.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
3.2.2 failure initiated energy—theenergynecessarytobegin
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
failure of the test specimen.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.3 pendulum impact resistance—the resistance to failure
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ofplasticfilmismeasuredbylossinmechanicalworkcapacity
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
due to the expenditure of kinetic energy by a pendulum.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The energy necessary to burst and penetrate the center
2. Referenced Documents
of a specimen, mounted between two plates with a circular
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
aperture, is measured by the loss in mechanical work-capacity
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
due to the expenditure of kinetic energy by a pendulum, the
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
rounded probe of which passes through the test specimen.
D1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
Corrections for “toss factor” or kinetic energy imparted to the
by the Free-Falling Dart Method
puncture fragment of the test specimen are not made, as only
D1922 Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of
tiny masses are involved. The pendulum head hits the speci-
Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
men with a maximum velocity of about 74 m/min and a
D4272 Test Method forTotal Energy Impact of Plastic Films
maximum energy of about 5 J (50 cm·kgf).
by Dart Drop
5. Significance and Use
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
5.1 Like other techniques to measure toughness, this test
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting, and
methodprovidesameanstodetermineparametersofamaterial
Molded Products.
at strain rates closer to some end-use applications than pro-
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. Originally
vided by low-speed uniaxial tensile tests. Dynamic tensile
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3420 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/D3420-21.
behavior of a film is important, particularly when the film is
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
used as a packaging material. The same uncertainties about
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
correlations with thickness that apply to other impact tests also
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. apply to this test (see section 3.4 of Test Methods D1
...

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: D3420 − 14 D3420 − 21
Standard Test Method for
1
Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3420; 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 resistance of film to impact-puncture penetration. Knowledge of how the impact
energy is absorbed by the specimen while it is deforming under the impact loading, and the behavior of the specimen after yielding,
is not provided by this test. No provision is made for nonambient temperatures in this test method.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards statements are given in Section 7.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
D1922 Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method
D4272 Test Method for Total Energy Impact of Plastic Films by Dart Drop
D6988 Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
E177E456 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test MethodsTerminology Relating to Quality and
Statistics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms relating to plastics not otherwise described For definition of terms used in this test method
1
This test method 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 Dec. 1, 2014May 1, 2021. Published December 2014May 2021. Originally approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
D3420 – 08a.D3420 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/D3420-14.10.1520/D3420-21.
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’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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D3420 − 21
shall be and associated with plastics issues refer to the terminology contained in D883. For terms relating to precision and bias
and associated issues, the terms used in this standard are defined in accordance with Terminology D883E456.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 failure completion energy—the energy necessary to initiate failure plus the energy necessary to cause complete rupture to
the test specimen.
3.2.2 failure initiated energy—the energy necessary to begin failure of the test specimen.
3.2.3 pendulum impact resistance—the resistance to failure of plastic film is measured by loss in mechanical work capacity due
to the expenditure of kinetic energy by a pendulum.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The energy necessary to burst and penetrate the center of a specimen, mounted between two plates with a circular aperture,
is measured by the loss in mechanical work-capacity due to the expenditure of kinetic energy by a pendulum, the rounded probe
of which passes through the test specimen. Corrections for “toss factor” or kinetic energy imparted to the puncture fragment of
the test specimen are not made, as only tiny masses are invo
...