ASTM D638-03

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics

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 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 Methods D 882 is the preferred test method. Materials with a thickness greater than 14 mm [0.55 in.] must 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 and ISO 527-1 are technically equivalent.
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 D 229 and Test Method D 651.
Note 4—For tensile properties of resin-matrix composites reinforced with oriented continuous or discontinuous high modulus >20-GPa [>3.0 10 6-psi] fibers, tests shall be made in accordance with Test Method D 3039/D 3039M.
1.4 Test data obtained by this test method are relevant and appropriate for use in engineering design.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in brackets 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2003
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.10 - Mechanical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D638-02a - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D3754-19 - Standard Specification for “Fiberglass” (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin) Sewer and Industrial Pressure Pipe
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D3826-18 - Standard Practice for Determining Degradation End Point in Degradable Polyethylene and Polypropylene Using a Tensile Test
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7471-19 - Standard Specification for CPT-Fluoropolymer Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1533-20 - Standard Specification for Deformed Polyethylene (PE) Liner
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2509-15(2019) - Standard Specification for Field-assembled Anodeless Riser Kits for Use on Outside Diameter Controlled Polyethylene and Polyamide-11 (PA11) Gas Distribution Pipe and Tubing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D2287-19 - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer and Copolymer Molding and Extrusion Compounds
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2619/F2619M-20 - Standard Specification for High-Density Polyethylene (PE) Line Pipe
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6214/D6214M-98(2022) - Standard Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Field Seams Used in Joining Geomembranes by Chemical Fusion Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D5721-22 - Standard Practice for Air-Oven Aging of Polyolefin Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6712-17 - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE) Solid Plastic Shapes
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C647-19 - Standard Guide to Properties and Tests of Mastics and Coating Finishes for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D4634-16(2022) - Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Styrene-Maleic Anhydride Molding and Extrusion Materials (S/MA)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2790-10(2019)e1 - Standard Practice for Static and Dynamic Characterization of Motion Preserving Lumbar Total Facet Prostheses
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F3507-21 - Standard Practice for Butt-Fusion Joining of Crosslinkable Polyethylene (CX-PE) Pipe and Tubing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003

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:D638–03
Standard Test Method for
1
Tensile Properties of Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 638; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tensile
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics in the form
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
of standard dumbbell-shaped test specimens when tested under
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
defined conditions of pretreatment, temperature, humidity, and
testing machine speed.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 This test method can be used for testing materials of any
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
thickness up to 14 mm [0.55 in.]. However, for testing
D 229 Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials
specimens in the form of thin sheeting, including film less than
Used for Electrical Insulation
1.0 mm [0.04 in.] in thickness, Test Methods D 882 is the
D 412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermo-
preferred test method. Materials with a thickness greater than
plastic Elastomers—Tension
14 mm [0.55 in.] must be reduced by machining.
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
1.3 This test method includes the option of determining
D 651 Test Method for Tensile Strength of Molded Electri-
Poisson’s ratio at room temperature.
cal Insulating Materials
NOTE 1—This test method and ISO 527-1 are technically equivalent.
D 882 Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
NOTE 2—This test method is not intended to cover precise physical
Sheeting
procedures. It is recognized that the constant rate of crosshead movement
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
type of test leaves much to be desired from a theoretical standpoint, that
D 1822 Test Method for Tensile-Impact Energy to Break
wide differences may exist between rate of crosshead movement and rate
Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
of strain between gage marks on the specimen, and that the testing speeds
specified disguise important effects characteristic of materials in the
D 3039/D 3039M Test Method for Tensile Properties of
plastic state. Further, it is realized that variations in the thicknesses of test
Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
specimens,whicharepermittedbytheseprocedures,producevariationsin
D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-
thesurface-volumeratiosofsuchspecimens,andthatthesevariationsmay
rials
influence the test results. Hence, where directly comparable results are
D 4066 Classification System for Nylon Injection and Ex-
desired, all samples should be of equal thickness. Special additional tests
trusion Materials
should be used where more precise physical data are needed.
NOTE 3—This test method may be used for testing phenolic molded D 5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
resin or laminated materials. However, where these materials are used as
Plastic Specimens
electrical insulation, such materials should be tested in accordance with
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
Test Methods D 229 and Test Method D 651.
E83 Practice for Verification and Classification of Exten-
NOTE 4—For tensile properties of resin-matrix composites reinforced
someter
with oriented continuous or discontinuous high modulus >20-GPa
6 E 132 Test Method for Poisson’s Ratio at Room Tempera-
[>3.0 3 10 -psi] fibers, tests shall be made in accordance with Test
ture
Method D 3039/D 3039M.
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.4 Test data obtained by this test method are relevant and
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
appropriate for use in engineering design.
3
2.2 ISO Standard:
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard.Thevaluesgiveninbracketsareforinformationonly.
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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.10 on Mechanical Properties. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2003. Published January 2004. Originally Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 2
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