Abstract

This specification covers unpigmented, unsupported, low-density polyethylene films (hereafter referred to as film or films) for general use and packaging applications. It is applicable to films made from polyethylene copolymers, and also applicable to films made from blends of homopolymers and copolymers, including ethylene/vinylacetate copolymers. The low-density polyethylene film shall be classified by Types 1, 2, and 3; Surfaces 1, 2, and 3; Classes 1, 2, 3, and 4; and Finishes 1, 2, 3, and 4. The film shall be made from an ethylene homopolymer, ethylene copolymers, or blends of homopolymers or copolymers, or homopolymer and copolymer, so that it meets the density and other film requirements specified. Tests shall be performed to conform to the specified properties of the material in accordance with the following test methods: conditioning; test conditions; thickness; yield; flatness; density; coefficient of friction; clarity; haze; wetting tension; impact resistance; tensile properties; heat sealability; and odor.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers unpigmented, unsupported, low-density polyethylene films (hereafter referred to as film or films) from Class 1 polyethylenes per Specification D 4976 .

Note 1The density of a film will not necessarily be equal to the density of a molded plaque from the same resin.

Note 2Blends of ethylene/vinylacetate (EVA) with low-density polyethylene may have densities up to 0.929 g/cm ³ .

1.2 This specification is applicable to homopolymer polyethylene, but is not restricted to it. It is applicable to films made from polyethylene copolymers, and also applicable to films made from blends of homopolymers and copolymers, including ethylene/vinylacetate copolymers.

1.3 The thickness of the films covered by this specification is 100 ? m or less (0.004 in. or less), inclusive. The maximum width of the sheet or layflat is 3.00 m (120 in.).

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

1.5 This specification allows for the use of recycled polyethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long as all of 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 3.)

Note 3Guide D 7209 describes terminology and definitions related to recycled plastics.

1.6 This specification defines the levels of the various physical properties from which specifications for specific films may be described. The levels of physical properties required by a film for a given application are selected from Section 6. However, Sections 2-5 relating to tolerances shall apply without change to all film falling within the scope indicated by the title and 1.1-1.4.

1.7 This specification covers dimensional tolerances, classifications, 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, tensile strength, heat sealability, and odor, as well as the classification properties for impact strength, coefficient of friction, optical properties, and surface treatment. A sampling method is included.

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

1.9 The 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 4There is no similar or equivalent ISO specification.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing

D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting

D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics

D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics

D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique

D1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method

D1984 Specification for Tall Oil Fatty Acids

D2103 Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting

D2457 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics

D2578 Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films

D4321 Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film

D4703 Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets

D4976 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials

D7209 Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products

E1870 Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from Polymeric Packaging Film

F88 Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials

Keywords

film; general use; low-density; packaging; polyethylene; recycled plastics; Copolymers; Density--plastics; Homopolymers; LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene)--specifications; Packing/packaging materials/systems--specifications; Packing/packaging materials/systems (plastics); Plastic sheet and film--specifications; Polyethylene (PE)--specifications; Polyethylene (PE) sheet and film--specifications;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 83.140.10 (Films and sheets)

DOI: 10.1520/D4635-08A

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D4635