ASTM F668-17(2022)

Standard Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyolefin and Other Polymer-Coated Steel Chain Link Fence Fabric

ABSTRACT
This specification covers polyvinyl chloride and other conforming organic polymer-coated steel chain-link fabric, coated before weaving. Fabric produced from three classes of wire coatings are covered as follows: Class I consists of polymer coatings extruded over zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated, or zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire; Class 2a consists of polymer coating extruded and adhered to zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire; Class 2b consists of polymer coating fused and adhered to zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire. Materials shall be tested and the individual grades shall conform to material, weave, mesh size, diamond count, wire size, fabric height, selvage, breaking strength, weight of Zinc, Aluminum, or Zinc-5 % Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy Coatings, polymer coating thickness, polymer-coated wire, and roll length.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers polyvinyl chloride and other conforming organic polymer-coated steel chain-link fabric, coated before weaving. Polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin, and other organic polymer coating hereinafter will be designated as polymer coating.  
1.2 Fabric produced from three classes of wire coatings are covered as follows:  
1.2.1 Class I consists of polymer coatings extruded over zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated, or zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire.  
1.2.2 Class 2a consists of polymer coating extruded and adhered to zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire.  
1.2.3 Class 2b consists of polymer coating fused and adhered to zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or zinc-5 % aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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: 31-Oct-2022
• ICS: 77.140.65 - Steel wire, wire ropes and link chains
• ICS: 91.090 - External structures
• Technical Committee: F14 - Fences
• Drafting Committee: F14.40 - Chain Link Fence and Wire Accessories

Relations

• Refers: ASTM A370-24 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM A370-19 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM A370-17a - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM A370-17 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2017
• Refers: ASTM A370-15 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM F552-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Chain Link Fencing
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2014
• Refers: ASTM A370-14 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 15-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM A370-13 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM F552-02(2013) - Standard Terminology Relating to Chain Link Fencing
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2013
• Refers: ASTM F934-96(2013) - Standard Specification for Standard Colors for Polymer-Coated Chain Link Fence Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2013
• Refers: ASTM A370-12a - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2012
• Refers: ASTM A370-12 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM A370-11a - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM G153-04(2010) - Standard Practice for Operating Enclosed Carbon Arc Light Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM A370-10 - Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2010

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:F668 −17 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Specification for
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyolefin and Other Polymer-
Coated Steel Chain Link Fence Fabric
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF668;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This specification covers polyvinyl chloride and other
A90/A90MTest Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on
conforming organic polymer-coated steel chain-link fabric,
Iron and Steel Articles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings
coated before weaving. Polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin, and
A370Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
otherorganicpolymercoatinghereinafterwillbedesignatedas
of Steel Products
polymer coating.
A428/A428MTest Method forWeight [Mass] of Coating on
1.2 Fabric produced from three classes of wire coatings are
Aluminum-Coated Iron or Steel Articles
covered as follows:
D1499Practice for Filtered Open-Flame Carbon-Arc Expo-
sures of Plastics
1.2.1 Class I consists of polymer coatings extruded over
F552Terminology Relating to Chain Link Fencing
zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or zinc-5 % aluminum-
F934Specification for Standard Colors for Polymer-Coated
mischmetal alloy-coated, or zinc-5% aluminum-mischmetal
Chain Link Fence Materials
alloy-coated steel wire.
G152Practice for Operating Open Flame CarbonArc Light
1.2.2 Class 2a consists of polymer coating extruded and
Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
adhered to zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or zinc-5 %
G153Practice for Operating Enclosed Carbon Arc Light
aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire.
Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
1.2.3 Class 2b consists of polymer coating fused and
G155PracticeforOperatingXenonArcLampApparatusfor
adhered to zinc-coated, aluminum-coated, or zinc-5 %
Exposure of Materials
aluminum-mischmetal alloy-coated steel wire.
2.2 U.S. Federal Standard:
Fed. Std. No. 123Marking for Shipments (Civil Agencies)
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
2.3 U.S. Military Standards:
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
MIL-STD-129Marking for Shipment and Storage
for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms such as chain-link
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
fence fabric, selvage, knuckle, twist, and diamond count, see
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Terminology F552.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Ordering Information
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1 Orders for chain-link fence fabric purchased to this
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
specification shall include the following information:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1.1 Quantity.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4.1.2 Classofpolymercoatingtobeappliedtothemetallic-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
coated core wire.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ThisspecificationisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF14onFences contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F14.40 on Chain Link Fence and Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Wire Accessories. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2022. Published November 2022. Originally Available from the procuring activity or as directed by the contracting office or
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as F668–17. DOI: fromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700RobbinsAve.,
10.1520/F0668-17R22. Philadelphia, PA19111-5094,Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F668−17 (2022)
4.1.3 Color of coating (see 16.5.1).
4.1.4 Size of mesh (see Table 1).
4.1.5 Diameter of metallic-coated core wire or minimum
breaking strength, or both (see Tables 1-3).
4.1.6 Height of fabric.
4.1.7 Type of selvage if nonstandard (see 12.1 and 12.2).
4.1.8 Diamond count if nonstandard (see 9.1 and Table 2).
4.1.9 Certification, if required.
5 1 3
FIG. 1Mesh Dimensions for ⁄8-in., ⁄2-in., and ⁄8-in. Fabric
4.2 Any tests required other than those specifically covered
in this specification must be stipulated by the purchaser in the
6.2 Class 2a polymer-coated wire shall have the polymer
order or contract.
coating extruded and adhered to wire that is zinc-coated by the
4.3 All rolls of fabric accepted by the purchaser shall be
hot-dip method, zinc-coated by the electrolytic process, or
billed to him on the basis of the original footage of the rolls
aluminum-coated by the hot-dip method.
before sampling, unless changed by contractual agreement.
6.3 Class 2b polymer-coated wire shall have the polymer
5. Materials
coating fused and adhered to wire that is zinc-coated by the
hot-dip method, zinc-coated by the electrolytic process, or
5.1 Base Metal—The base metal shall be steel of such
aluminum-coated by the hot-dip method. The use of a primer
qualityandpuritythat,whendrawntothesizeofwirespecified
prior to the application of a polymer coating may be recom-
and coated with an organic polymer, the finished fencing shall
mended by the polymer manufacturer.
beofuniformqualityandhavepropertiesandcharacteristicsas
prescribed in the specification.
NOTE 1—Under current practice, the process for producing a Class 2b
PVCcoatingrequirestheuseofaprimertoattainchemicalbondingtothe
5.2 Wire used for the manufacture of fabric shall meet the
substrate. In any event, the polymer manufacturer’s recommendation
requirementsofthisspecificationandshallbecapableofbeing
should be followed.
woven into fabric without the polymer coating cracking or
6.4 Typeofmetalliccoatingonthesteelwiresubstrateshall
peeling.Thepolymercoatingshallbeformulatedandproduced
be the choice of the producer unless otherwise specified.
properly to conform to the requirements of this specification.
7. Weave
6. Manufacture
7.1 The wire shall be woven throughout in the form of
6.1 Class 1 polymer-coated wire shall have the polymer
approximately uniform square mesh, having parallel sides and
coating extruded onto wire that conforms to the requirements
horizontal and vertical diagonals of approximately uniform
as shown in Table 3.
dimensions.Thetopandbottomofthefabricshallbeknuckled
or twisted as specified in Section 12.
A
TABLE 1 Sizes of Wire and Mesh
NOTE 1—For custom fabric heights, see Section 11. 8. Size of Mesh
Specified
8.1 The size of mesh shall conform to the requirements as
Size Size
Diameter
Core of
shown in Table 1.
of Core Height of Fence Fabric, in.
Wire Mesh,
Wire,
Gauge in.
8.2 The permissible variation from the specified size of
in.
meshshallbe 6 ⁄8in.(3.2mm)forallmeshsizesover1in.(25
0.192 6 2 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
3 mm) and 6 ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) for all mesh sizes 1 in. (25 mm)
0.192 6 1 ⁄4 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
0.148 9 2 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
and under.
0.148 9 1 ⁄4 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
B
0.148 91 ⁄4 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144 8.3 Size of mesh shall be determined by unrolling a roll of
0.148 9 1 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
fabric on a flat surface and exerting tension in accordance with
0.120 11 2 ⁄8 36, 42, 48, 60, 72,
the requirements of 18.2, then measuring the minimum clear
0.120 11 2 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
0.120 11 1 ⁄4 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
distance between the wires forming the parallel sides of the
B
0.120 11 1 ⁄4 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144,
mesh.
0.120 11 1 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
0.120 11 ⁄8 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
1 9. Diamond Count
0.120 11 ⁄2 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
0.120 11 ⁄8 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
9.1 Typical diamond count for each standard height is
C
0.105 12 ⁄8 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
C
0.105 12 ⁄2 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144 shown in Table 2. Other diamond counts are permissible,
C
0.105 12 ⁄8 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
provided that they are consistent within a lot. The purchaser
C 5
0.080 14 ⁄8 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
has the option to specify the typical diamond count of 4.1.8.
C
0.080 14 ⁄2 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
C
0.080 14 ⁄8 36, 42, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144
10. Size of Wire
A
See Table X1.1 for metric equivalents.
B
This mesh size and smaller is recommended for swimming pools.
10.1 Chain-link fabric shall be fabricated from wire diam-
C
5 1 3
These wire sizes should only be used on ⁄8 in., ⁄2 in., and ⁄8 in. mesh fabrics.
eters as necessary to meet the requirements of Table 1. The
See Fig. 1 for criteria on mesh dimensions.
diameter shall be determined as the average of two readings
F668−17 (2022)
A
TABLE 2 Typical Diamond Count
NOTE 1—Other diamond counts are permitted (see Section 9 on Diamond Count).
NOTE 2— For fabric heights over 144 in., see Section 9.
Nominal
Height of Fence Fabric, in.
Size of
Diameter
Mesh, in.
36 42 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 144
Core Wire, in.
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0.192 2 10 ⁄2 12 ⁄2 13 ⁄2 17 ⁄2 20 ⁄2 24 ⁄2 27 ⁄2 31 ⁄2 34 ⁄2 41 ⁄2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0.148 2 10 ⁄2 12 ⁄2 13 17 ⁄2 20 ⁄2 24 ⁄2 27 ⁄2 31 ⁄2 34 ⁄2 41 ⁄2
3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0.148 1 ⁄4 11 ⁄2 13 ⁄2 15 ⁄2 19 ⁄2 23 ⁄2 27 ⁄2 31 ⁄2 35 ⁄2 39 ⁄2 47 ⁄2
0.148 1 ⁄4 17 21 23 29 35 41 46 52 56 70
1 1 1 1 1 1
0.120 2 10 ⁄2 12 ⁄2 14 ⁄2 17 ⁄2 20 ⁄2 24 ⁄2
1 1 1 1 1 1
0.120 2 ⁄8 9 ⁄2 11 ⁄2 13 ⁄2 16 ⁄2 19 ⁄2
3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0.120 1 ⁄4 11 ⁄2 13 ⁄2 15 ⁄2 19 ⁄2 23 ⁄2 27 ⁄2 31 ⁄2 35 ⁄2 39 ⁄2 47 ⁄2
0.120 1 ⁄4 17 21 23 29 35 41 46 52 56 70
0.120 1 20 2327 33455361 6769
0.120 ⁄8
0.120 ⁄2
0.120 ⁄8
0.105 ⁄8
0.105 ⁄2 see Fig. 1
0.105 ⁄8
0.080 ⁄8
0.080 ⁄2
0.080 ⁄8
A
See Table X1.1 for metric equivalents.
TABLE 3 Breaking Strength of Core Wire
the standard selvages. Other selvage combinations will be
Specified Diameter of Core Wire, in. Minimum Breaking Strength supplied only if specified by the purchaser.
(mm)
NOTE2—Caution:Twistedselvagesforfencesunder72in.(1829mm)
lbf (N)
in height are not recommended because of consumer safety consider-
0.192 (4.88) 2170 (9650)
ations.
0.148 (4.76) 1290 (5740)
0.120 (3.05) 850 (3780)
12.2 The selvages of fabrics with meshes of less than 2 in.
0.105 (2.67) 650 (2890)
(50.8 mm) shall be knuckled on both edges.
0.080 (2.03) 380 (1690)
13. Breaking Strength
13.1 Wire constituting the fabric shall meet the minimum
takenatrightanglestoeachotheronthestraightportionofthe
breaking strength shown in Table 3, as determined in accor-
parallelsidesofthemeshandmeasuredtothenearest0.001in.
dance with Test Methods and Definitions A370.
(0.03 mm).
13.2 Specimens to establish conformance to this require-
10.2 The permissible variation from the specified diameter
ment shall comprise individual pickets from a section of the
of the core wire over 0.105 in. (2.67 mm) shall be 60.005 in.
fence fabric. The specimens shall be of sufficient length so as
(0.13mm).Thepermissiblevariationforthespecifieddiameter
to be firmly gripped in the testing machine after straightening.
on core wires 0.105 in. (2.67 mm) or less shall be 60.004 in.
Polymercoatingmayberemovedfromthesamplebychemical
(0.10 mm).
or mechanical means before testing. The actual gauge length
(distance between jaws) of the specimen shall be limited to the
11. Height of Fabric
undeformed length of wire between the two adjacent bends.
11.1 Chain-link fabric, unless otherwise specified by the
purchaser, shall be furnished in the standard heights shown in
14. Weight of Zinc, Aluminum, or Zinc-5 % Aluminum-
Table 1. Custom order fabric is available in heights to and
Mischmetal Alloy Coatings
including 240 ft. (6.56 m).The height of the fabric shall be the
14.1 The weight of zinc or aluminum coating shall conform
overall dimension from the ends of twists or knuckles. Permis-
to Table 4.
sible variations from the specified height shall be 61 in. (25
14.2 The weight of coating shall be determined on an
mm) for standard selvage on fabric with mesh sizes 1 in. (25
individual piece of wire removed from the fabric. This speci-
mm) and over and 6 ⁄2 in. (13 mm) for all fabric with mesh
men may be any length of wire over 12 in. (305 mm) and shall
sizes less than 1 in. (25 mm).
include both bends and straight sections, but shall not include
12. Selvage either twists or knuckles.
12.1 Fabric with 2-in. (50.8-mm) or 2 ⁄8-in. (54.0-mm) 14.3 The weight of zinc or zinc-5% aluminum-mischmetal
mesh, in heights less than 72 in. (1829 mm), shall be knuckled alloy coating shall be determined by the method contained in
at both selvages. Fabric 72 in. (1829 mm) high and over shall Test Method A90/A90M after stripping the polymer coating as
be knuckled at one selvage and twisted at the other. These are outlined in Section 15.
F668−17 (2022)
TABLE 4 Weight of Zinc, Aluminum, or Zinc-5% Aluminum-
wire. The lot shall be acceptable if the polymer sleeve is not
Mischmetal Alloy Coatings
capable of being removed from the core wire on all three
Minimum Weight of
samples.
Specified Diameter of Minimum Weight of
Zinc or Zinc-5 % Aluminum-
Core Wire, Aluminum Coating,
16.2.3 Three specimens from each lot shall be tested. Make
Mischmetal Alloy Coating,
2 2
in. (mm) oz/ft (g/m )
2 2
two cuts parallel to the axis of the wire through the coating,
oz/ft (g/m )
1 1
0.192 (4.88) 0.40 (122) 0.20 (61) approximately ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) apart, at least ⁄2 in. (12.7 mm)
0.148 (3.76) 0.30 (92) 0.20 (61)
long. With a knife peel back a section of the coating between
0.120 (3.05) 0.30 (92) 0.20 (61)
1 1
⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) and ⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) long to produce a tab.
0.105 (2.67) 0.30 (92) 0.20 (61)
Attempt to remove the ⁄16 in. (1.6 mm) strip of coating by
0.080 (2.03) 0.25 (76) 0.20 (61)
pullingthetab.Thelotshallbeacceptableifthecoatingbreaks
ratherthanseparatesfromthecor
...