ASTM D6693-01

Standard Test Method for Determining Tensile Properties of Nonreinforced Polyethylene and Nonreinforced Flexible Polypropylene Geomembranes

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tensile properties of nonreinforced geomembranes in the form of standard dumbbell-shaped test specimens when tested under defined conditions of pretreatment, temperature and machine speed.
1.2 This test method can be used for testing materials thickness between 0.5 mm (0.02 in) and 14 mm (0.55 in.).
Note—This test method is not intended to cover precise physical procedures. The constant rate of crosshead movement of this test lacks accuracy from a theoretical standpoint. A wide difference may exist between the rate of crosshead movement and the rate of strain of the specimen indicating that the testing speeds specified may disguise important effects or characteristics of these materials in the plastic state. Further, it is realized that variations in the thicknesses of test specimen, as permitted by this test standard, 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.
1.3 Test data obtained by this test method is relevant and may be appropriate for use in engineering design with consideration of test conditions as compared to in-service conditions.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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: 09-Jul-2001
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.10 - Geomembranes

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D6693-03 - Standard Test Method for Determining Tensile Properties of Nonreinforced Polyethylene and Nonreinforced Flexible Polypropylene Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D5617-04(2015) - Standard Test Method for Multi-Axial Tension Test for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2001

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: D 6693 – 01
Standard Test Method for
Determining Tensile Properties of Nonreinforced
Polyethylene and Nonreinforced Flexible Polypropylene
Geomembranes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6693; 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.
1. Scope D 4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D 5199 Test Method for Measuring Nominal Thickness of
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tensile
Geosynthetics
properties of nonreinforced geomembranes in the form of
D 5994 Test Method for Measuring Core Thickness of
standard dumbbell-shaped test specimens when tested under
Textured Geomembrane
defined conditions of pretreatment, temperature and machine
E 4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
speed.
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.2 This test method can be used for testing materials
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
thickness between 0.5 mm (0.02 in) and 14 mm (0.55 in.).
NOTE 1—This test method is not intended to cover precise physical 3. Terminology
procedures. The constant rate of crosshead movement of this test lacks
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms applying to this test
accuracy from a theoretical standpoint. A wide difference may exist
method appear in Terminology D 4439.
between the rate of crosshead movement and the rate of strain of the
specimen indicating that the testing speeds specified may disguise
4. Significance and Use
important effects or characteristics of these materials in the plastic state.
Further, it is realized that variations in the thicknesses of test specimen, as 4.1 This test method is designed to produce tensile property
permitted by this test standard, produce variations in the surface-volume
data for the control and specification of nonreinforced poly-
ratios of such specimens, and that these variations may influence the test
ethylene and flexible nonreinforced polypropylene geomem-
results. Hence, where directly comparable results are desired, all samples
branes. These data are also useful for qualitative characteriza-
shouldbeofequalthickness.Specialadditionaltestsshouldbeusedwhere
tion and for research and development. It may be necessary to
more precise physical data are needed.
modify this procedure for use in testing certain materials as
1.3 Test data obtained by this test method is relevant and
recommended by the material specifications. Therefore, it is
may be appropriate for use in engineering design with consid-
advisable to refer to that material’s specification before using
eration of test conditions as compared to in-service conditions.
this test method. Table 1 in Classification D 4000 lists the
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
ASTM materials standards that currently exist.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
4.2 Tensile properties may vary with specimen preparation,
only.
test speed and environment of testing. Consequently, where
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
precise comparative results are desired, these factors must be
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
carefully monitored and controlled.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2.1 It is realized that a material cannot be tested without
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
also testing the method of preparation of that material. Hence,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
when comparative tests of materials are desired, the care must
be exercised to ensure that all samples are prepared in exactly
2. Referenced Documents
the same way, unless the test is to include the effects of sample
2.1 ASTM Standards:
preparation. Similarly, for referee purposes or comparisons
D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-
within any given series of specimens, care must be taken to
rials
secure the maximum degree of uniformity in details of prepa-
ration, treatment, and handling.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
GeosyntheticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD35.10onGeomem-
branes. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.13.
Current edition approved July 10, 2001. Published October 2001. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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.
D6693–01
NOTE 2—Tensile properties may provide useful data for plastics engi-
men may also be effective. The use of special types of grips is
neering design purposes. However, because of the high degree of
sometimes necessary to eliminate slippage and breakage in the
sensitivity exhibited by many plastics to rate of straining and environ-
grips.
mental conditions, data obtained by this test method cannot be considered
5.1.4 Drive Mechanism—A drive mechanism for imparting
valid for applications involving load-time scales or environments widely
to the movable member a uniform, controlled velocity with
different from those of this test method. In cases of such dissimilarity, no
respect to the stationary member, with this velocity to be
reliableestimationofthelimitofusefulnesscanbemadeformostplastics.
This sensitivity to rate of straining and environment necessitates testing regulated as specified in Section 9.
over a broad load-time scale and range of environmental conditions if
5.1.5 Load Indicator—A suitable load-indicating mecha-
tensile properties are to suffice for engineering design purposes.
nism capable of showing the total tensile load carried by the
test specimen when held by the grips. This mechanism shall be
5. Apparatus
essentially free of inertia lag at the specified rate of testing and
5.1 Testing Machine—A testing machine of the constant- shall indicate the load with an accuracy of 61 % of the
rate-of-crosshead-movement type and comprising essentially
indicated value, or better. The accuracy of the testing machine
the following: shall be verified in accordance with Practices E 4.
5.1.1 Fixed Member—A fixed or essentially stationary
NOTE 3—Experience has shown that many testing machines now in use
member carrying one grip.
are incapable of maintaining accuracy for as long as the periods between
inspection recommended in Practices in E 4. Hence, it is recommended
5.1.2 Movable Member—A movable member carrying a
that each machine be studied individually and verified as often as may be
second grip.
found necessary. It frequently will be necessary to perform this function
5.1.3 Grips—Grips for holding the test specimen between
daily.
the fixed member and the movable member of the test
apparatus can be either a fixed or self-aligning type.
6. Test Specimens
5.1.3.1 Fixed grips are rigidly attached to the fixed and
6.1 Sheet, Plate, and Molded Plastics:
movable members of the test apparatus. Extreme care should
6.1.1 The test specimens shall conform to the dimensions
be taken when this type of grip is used to ensure that the test
shown in Fig. 1. This specimen geometry was adopted from
specimen is inserted and clamped so that the long axis of the
ASTM D 638 and is therefore equivalent to Type IV of said
test specimen coincides with the direction of pull through the
standard.
centerline of the grip assembly.
6.1.2 Test specimens shall be prepared by die cutting from
5.1.3.2 Self-aligning grips are attached to the fixed and
materials in sheet, plate, slab, or similar form.
movable members of the test apparatus. This type of grip
6.2 All surfaces of the specimen shall be free of visible
assembly is such that they will move freely into alignment as
flaws, scratches or imperfections. If the specimen exhibits such
soon as any load is applied as long as the long axis of the test
markings it should be discarded and replaced. If these flaws or
specimen will coincide with the direction of the applied pull
imperfections are present in the new specimen the die should
through the centerline of the grip assembly. The specimens
be inspected for flaws.
should be aligned as perfectly as possible with the direction of
NOTE 4—Negative effects from imperfections on the edge of the
pull so that no rotary motion will occur in the grips thereby
specimens can severely impact the results of this test and should therefore
inducing slippage; there is a limit to the amount of misalign-
be carefully monitored. In cases of dispute over the results, inspection of
ment self-aligning grips will accommodate.
the die and specimen preparation should take place.
5.1.3.3 The test specimen shall be held in such a way that
slippage relative to the grips is prevented as much as possible.
7. Conditioning
Grip surfaces that are deeply scored or serrated with a pattern
7.1 Conditioning—Specimens should be tested once the
similar to those of a coarse single-cut file, serrations about 2.4
material has reached temperature equilibrium. The time re-
mm (0.09 in) apart and about 1.6 mm (0.06 in.) deep, have
quired to reach a temperature equilibrium may vary according
been found satisfactory for most thermoplastics. Finer serra-
to the manufacturing p
...