ASTM D882 Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting

Get Certified ASTM D882 Testing for Reliable Plastic Film Tensile Data

A film that tears or stretches too far can fail on a packaging line or in service, and thin sheeting behaves differently from thick plastic. ASTM D882 gives film producers and converters a method made for thin sheeting. The results show how a film responds to tension and support material selection, process control, and quality control.

The scope of ASTM D882 includes:

• Material type: Plastic thin sheeting and films less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) thick.
• Purpose: Determination of tensile properties of thin plastic sheeting.
• Properties evaluated: Tensile properties, including the tensile modulus of elasticity at one strain rate.
• Testing method: Technicians load the specimen in tension and measure extension by grip separation, extension indicators, or displacement of gage marks.
• Results: Tensile properties of the film, relevant to engineering design.
• Test limitations: ASTM D882 applies to plastic sheeting and films less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) thick, while ASTM D638 covers plastics that are 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) or greater in thickness
• Use conditions: The modulus procedure uses one strain rate, and the machine capacity must suit the specimen. SI units are standard.
• Applications: Engineering design and comparison of thin plastic sheeting and films.

What are the Uses of ASTM D882 Testing?

ASTM D882 testing gives engineers tensile data for thin plastic sheeting and films. Producers use the data to compare films, and designers use it to pick a film for a given load. This testing:

• Determines tensile properties of plastic sheeting and films less than 1.0 mm thick.
• Includes the tensile modulus of elasticity at one strain rate.
• Allows extension measurement by grip separation, extension indicators, or gage marks.
• Provides data that suits engineering design.
• Supports quality control of film production.

Which Materials Can Be Tested Under ASTM D882?

ASTM D882 applies to plastics in the form of thin sheeting and films less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) thick. The terminology standard ASTM D883 defines film as sheeting with a nominal thickness of 0.25 mm (0.010 in.) or less. Plastics made of sheeting or film 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) or thicker are governed by ASTM D638.

Why is ASTM D882 Important?

Thin films tend to be anisotropic, meaning their properties depend on direction. They exhibit different strengths in different directions, and a thick-plastic tensile test does not account for that. ASTM D882 sets a method for sheeting under 1.0 mm thick. Engineers can then compare films on one basis and use the data in design. The standard allows three ways to measure the extension so users can choose the one that fits the film and the machine. The tensile modulus procedure at one strain rate adds a stiffness value for comparison.

ASTM D882 Testing Process and Data Collection

Technicians cut specimens from the film and record their thickness before mounting them in the machine. They load the specimen in tension and measure extension using the selected method. For the modulus, technicians use one strain rate. Analysts calculate the tensile properties from the recorded force and extension. They report the results with the thickness and the extension method and compare films only when the test conditions match.

Common Challenges and Troubleshooting

Accurate ASTM D882 results require accurate specimen thickness measurements and secure gripping. A thin film can slip in the grips or tear at the clamp, so technicians check the grips and the alignment before each run. Thickness varies across the film, and analysts use the measured thickness of each specimen rather than the nominal value. The extension method also affects the result, so technicians keep the same method for a comparison. Plastics 1.0 mm or thicker require ASTM D638, and technicians do not use this method for them. Specimens that fail by tearing can produce anomalous results, so an analyst should not compare them directly with results from normal failures.

• Laboratory reports the film’s tensile properties in SI units, including the tensile modulus of elasticity at one strain rate, for sheeting less than 1.0 mm thick. Plastics 1.0 mm or thicker go to ASTM D638.
• Analysts record each specimen’s measured thickness and the extension method (grip separation, extension indicators, or displacement of gage marks) with every result, since thickness varies across the film and the extension method affects the result.
• Technicians document the specimen dimensions, grip type, and testing speed, because these factors, along with preparation, can affect tensile results.
• Analyst reports specimens that fail by tearing separately, since they can produce anomalous results that differ from normal failures.
• Engineers compare films when test conditions and the extension method match, then use the data for design and comparison.

Link to ASTM D882