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ASTM D 3981 : 2009 : REV A : R2016

Current
Current

The latest, up-to-date edition.

Standard Specification for Polyethylene Films Made from Medium-Density Polyethylene for General Use and Packaging Applications
Available format(s)

Hardcopy , PDF

Language(s)

English

Published date

01-05-2016

CONTAINED IN VOL. 08.02, 2016 Defines unpigmented, unsupported, sheet or tubular, medium-density polyethylene films (hereafter referred to as film or films) from resins having densities in the range from 926.0 to 938.0 kg/m[3] (0.926 to 0.938 g/cm[3]), inclusive, as measured on molded plaques.

1.1This specification covers unpigmented, unsupported, sheet or tubular, medium-density polyethylene films (hereafter referred to as film or films) from resins having densities in the range from 926.0 to 938.0 kg/m3 (0.926 to 0.938 g/cm3), inclusive, as measured on molded plaques.

1.2This specification is applicable to homopolymer polyethylene but is not restricted to it.

1.3This specification is also applicable to films made from copolymer polyethylene commonly referred to in industry as low-pressure polyethylene.

1.4This specification is also applicable to films made from blends of homopolymers and copolymers, including ethylene/vinyl-acetate copolymers.

1.5This specification allows for the use of recycled polyethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long as all the requirements of this specification are met and as long as any specific requirements as governed by the producer and end user are also met (see Note 1).

Note 1:Guide D7209 contains terminology and definitions relating to recycled plastics.

1.6Special care must be exercised if this specification is applied to colored or pigmented films. This specification does not address specific problems associated with coloring, such as, quantity and quality of pigment dispersion, optical properties, and increase in density. These and other areas must be taken into account by mutual agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.

1.7The thickness of the films covered by this specification range from 25 to 100 μm (0.001 to 0.004 in.), inclusive. The maximum width of the sheet or lay-flat is 3.05 m (120 in.).

1.8This specification does not cover oriented heat-shrinkable films.

1.9This specification defines the levels of various physical properties from which specifications for specific films are to be described. The levels of physical properties required by a film for a given application are selected from Section 6 and the corresponding tables. However, Sections 7.2 – 7.5 relating to tolerances shall apply without change to all film falling within the scope indicated by the title and 1.1 – 1.4.

1.10This specification covers dimensional tolerances, classification, intrinsic quality requirements, and test methods. The dimensional tolerances include thickness, width, and length or yield. Classification defines types, classes, surfaces, and finishes. The intrinsic quality requirements include density, workmanship, impact strength, tensile strength, heat sealability, and odor, as well as the classification properties for stiffness, coefficient of friction, optical properties, and surface treatment. A sampling method is included.

1.11The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are given for information only.

1.12The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 10, of this specification: 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.

Note 2:There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.

Committee
D 20
DocumentType
Standard
Pages
5
ProductNote
Reconfirmed 2016
PublisherName
American Society for Testing and Materials
Status
Current
Supersedes

ASTM D 2103 : 2015 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 4703 : 2002 Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
ASTM D 883 : 2023 Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
ASTM E 1870 : 2011 Standard Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from Polymeric Packaging Film
ASTM D 6988 : 2008 Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
ASTM D 1894 : 2014 : REDLINE Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 1894 : 2011 Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 2578 : 2009 Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films
ASTM D 4321 : 2004 Standard Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
ASTM D 1709 : 2022 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 1709 : 2004 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 4976 : 2006 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
ASTM D 1003 : 2007 Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM D 6988 : 2021 Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
ASTM D 4976 : 2000 : REV B Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
ASTM D 883 : 2024 Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
ASTM D 1003 : 2013 Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM D 4321 : 1999 Standard Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
ASTM D 4976 : 2004 : REV A Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
ASTM D 2457 : 2008 Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
ASTM D 2578 : 2008 Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films
ASTM D 2103 : 2008 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 1894 : 2000 Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 4976 : 2004 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
ASTM D 4703 : 2003 Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
ASTM D 2103 : 2023 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 883 : 2022 Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
ASTM D 1894 : 2001 Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 2578 : 1999 : REV A Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films
ASTM D 6988 : 2003 Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
ASTM D 883 : 2020 : REV B Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
ASTM D 7209 : 2006 Standard Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (Withdrawn 2015)
ASTM D 4883 : 2003 Standard Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the Ultrasound Technique
ASTM D 4703 : 1993 Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
ASTM D 2578 : 2017 Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films
ASTM D 2103 : 2003 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 1505 : 2003 Standard Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
ASTM D 4321 : 2015 : REDLINE Standard Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
ASTM D 792 : 2013 : REDLINE Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
ASTM D 1709 : 2015 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 4321 : 2009 Standard Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
ASTM D 2103 : 2015 : REDLINE Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 1003 : 2007 : EDT 1 Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM D 4976 : 2012 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
ASTM D 4703 : 2010 Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
ASTM D 1894 : 2014 Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting (Withdrawn 2023)
ASTM D 1709 : 2009 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 1709 : 1998 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 2457 : 2013 Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
ASTM D 2457 : 2013 : REDLINE Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
ASTM D 4976 : 2012 : REV A : R2020 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
ASTM D 4976 : 2002 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
ASTM D 1898 : 1968 : R1989 Standard Practice for Sampling of Plastics (Withdrawn 1998)
ASTM D 1709 : 2001 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 1894 : 2011 : EDT 1 Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 6988 : 2007 Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
ASTM D 1003 : 2011 Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM D 1709 : 2016 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 1505 : 1968 : R1979 Standard Test Method for Density Of Plastics By The Density-Gradient Technique
ASTM D 1003 : 2013 : REDLINE Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM E 1870 : 2004 Standard Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from Polymeric Packaging Film
ASTM D 2578 : 2004 Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films
ASTM D 1003 : 2021 Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM D 2103 : 1997 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 2457 : 1997 Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
ASTM E 1870 : 2011 : R2019 Standard Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from Polymeric Packaging Film
ASTM D 1709 : 2008 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 2103 : 2005 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 2103 : 2023 : REV A Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film
ASTM D 2103 : 2010 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 1505 : 2010 Standard Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
ASTM D 1505 : 2018 Standard Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
ASTM D 4976 : 2002 : EDT 1 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
ASTM D 6988 : 2013 Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
ASTM D 1505 : 1998 : EDT 1 Standard Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
ASTM D 1003 : 2000 Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM D 4883 : 2008 Standard Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the Ultrasound Technique (Withdrawn 2017)
ASTM D 4703 : 2000 Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
ASTM D 4703 : 2016 : REDLINE Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
ASTM D 2578 : 2023 Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films
ASTM D 1709 : 2016 : REV A : EDT 1 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 4883 : 1999 Standard Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the Ultrasound Technique
ASTM D 4703 : 2010 : REV A Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
ASTM D 1894 : 2008 Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 4703 : 2016 Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
ASTM D 6988 : 2013 : REDLINE Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens
ASTM D 1709 : 2003 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 2457 : 2003 Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
ASTM D 1003 : 2011 : EDT 1 Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM E 1870 : 2011 : REDLINE TEST METHOD FOR ODOR AND TASTE TRANSFER FROM POLYMERIC PACKAGING FILM
ASTM D 1894 : 2006 Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
ASTM D 1003 : 1992 Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics
ASTM E 1870 : 1998 Standard Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from Polymeric Packaging Film
ASTM D 2457 : 2021 Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
ASTM D 2457 : 2008 : EDT 1 Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
ASTM D 2578 : 2004 : REV A Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films
ASTM D 1709 : 2015 : REV A Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 4321 : 2015 Standard Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film (Withdrawn 2024)
ASTM D 4976 : 2012 : REV A Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
ASTM D 1709 : 2016 : REV A Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method
ASTM D 4703 : 2007 Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
ASTM D 4883 : 2018 Standard Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the Ultrasound Technique

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