ASTM D6988-21
(Guide)Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This guide is intended to provide recommendations and suggested good practices to determine precise dimensions when necessary for the calculation of properties expressed in physical units. It is not intended to replace practical thickness measurements based on commercial portable tools, nor is it implied that thickness measurements made by the procedures will agree exactly.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the determination of the thickness of plastic films where the thickness is used directly in determining the results of tests for various properties. Use this practice except as otherwise required in material specifications or in applicable test standards.
Note 1: Film is defined in Terminology D883 as an optional term for sheeting having a nominal thickness no greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
Note 2: Alternative methods are acceptable if they meet the requirements of measurement precision as noted in this guide.
Note 3: This guide is not intended to address the sampling techniques or the measurement of film thickness for the commercial classification of commercial products or for quality control purposes.
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 4: This standard and ISO 4593 address the same subject matter but differ in technical content.
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
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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: D6988 − 21
Standard Guide for
1
Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6988; 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 D6287 Practice for Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Speci-
mens
1.1 This guide covers the determination of the thickness of
2.2 ISO Standard:
plasticfilmswherethethicknessisuseddirectlyindetermining
3
ISO 472 Plastics—Vocabulary
the results of tests for various properties. Use this practice
except as otherwise required in material specifications or in
3. Terminology
applicable test standards.
3.1 Definitions—See Terminologies D883 and ISO 472 for
NOTE 1—Film is defined in Terminology D883 as an optional term for
sheeting having a nominal thickness no greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
definitions pertinent to this guide.
NOTE 2—Alternative methods are acceptable if they meet the require-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ments of measurement precision as noted in this guide.
NOTE 3—This guide is not intended to address the sampling techniques 3.2.1 absolute uncertainty (of a measurement), n—the
or the measurement of film thickness for the commercial classification of
smallest division that can be read directly on the instrument
commercial products or for quality control purposes.
used for measurement.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.2.2 calibration, n—the set of operations that establishes,
standard.
under specified conditions, the relationship between values
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
measured or indicated by an instrument or system, and the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the corresponding reference standard or known values derived
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
from the appropriate reference standards.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.3 dead-weight micrometer, n—an instrument capable of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
measuringthethicknessofthinfilmsutilizingaweighttoapply
uniform pressure to the specimen.
NOTE 4—This standard and ISO 4593 address the same subject matter
but differ in technical content.
3.2.4 verification, n—proof, with the use of calibrated stan-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dards or standard reference materials that the calibrated instru-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ment is operating within specified requirements.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4. Summary of Methods
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1 This guide describes four different methods for the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
thickness measurement of plastic film specimens.The methods
(identified as Methods A, B, C, and D) use different microm-
2. Referenced Documents
eters that actuate the weights in different manners or utilize
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
different means of reading the thickness.
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
4.2 It is permissible to use other instruments, including
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
non-contact instruments and instruments using alternative
D5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
readout systems in place of dials provided they meet or exceed
Plastics Specimens
the precision requirements noted in this practice.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
5. Significance and Use
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting, and Molded
Products.
5.1 This guide is intended to provide recommendations and
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally
suggested good practices to determine precise dimensions
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D6988 - 13. DOI:
when necessary for the calculation of properties expressed in
10.1520/D6988-21.
2
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor
...
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: D6988 − 13 D6988 − 21
Standard Guide for
1
Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6988; 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*Scope
1.1 This guide covers the determination of the thickness of plastic films where the thickness is used directly in determining the
results of tests for various properties. Use this practice except as otherwise required in material specifications or in applicable test
standards.
NOTE 1—Film is defined in Terminology D883 as an optional term for sheeting having a nominal thickness no greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in).in.).
NOTE 2—Alternative methods are acceptable if they meet the requirements of measurement precision as noted in this guide.
NOTE 3—This guide is not intended to address the sampling techniques or the measurement of film thickness for the commercial classification of
commercial products or for quality control purposes.
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 requirementslimitations prior to use.
NOTE 4—This standard and ISO 4593 address the same subject matter but differ in technical content.
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
D5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid Plastics Specimens
D6287 Practice for Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Specimens
2.2 ISO Standard:
3
ISO 472 Plastics—Vocabulary
1
This guide 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 April 1, 2013Oct. 1, 2021. Published April 2013November 2021. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 20082013 as
D6988 - 08.D6988 - 13. DOI: 10.1520/D6988-13.10.1520/D6988-21.
2
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 the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
*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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D6988 − 21
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—See Terminologies D883 and ISO 472 for definitions pertinent to this guide.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 absolute uncertainty (of a measurement), n—the smallest division that can be read directly on the instrument used for
measurement.
3.2.2 calibration, n—the set of operations that establishes, under specified conditions, the relationship between values measured
or indicated by an instrument or system, and the corresponding reference standard or known values derived from the appropriate
reference standards.
3.2.3 dead-weight micrometer, n—an instrument capable of measuring the thickness of thin films utilizing a weight to apply
uniform pressure to the specimen.
3.2.4 verification, n—proof, with the use of calibrated standards or standard reference materials that the calibrated instrument is
operating within specified requirements.
4. Summary of Methods
4.1 This guide describes four different methods for the thickness measurement of plastic film specimens. The methods (identified
as Methods A, B, C, and D) use different micrometers that actuate the weights in different manners or utilize different means of
reading the thickness.
...
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