ASTM_D_6392_-_12.pdf

Designation:D639212Standard Test Method forDetermining the Integrity of Nonreinforced GeomembraneSeams Produced Using Thermo-Fusion Methods1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6392;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method describes destructive quality controland quality assurance tests used to determine the integrity ofgeomembrane seams produced by thermo-fusion methods.This test method presents the procedures used for determiningthe quality of nonbituminous bonded seams subjected to bothpeel and shear tests.These test procedures are intended fornonreinforced geomembranes only.1.2 The types of thermal field seaming techniques used toconstruct geomembrane seams include the following.1.2.1 Hot AirThis technique introduces high-temperatureair or gas between two geomembrane surfaces to facilitatemelting.Pressure is applied to the top or bottom geomembrane,forcing together the two surfaces to form a continuous bond.1.2.2 Hot Wedge(or Knife)This technique melts the twogeomembrane surfaces to be seamed by running a hot metalwedge between them.Pressure is applied to the top or bottomgeomembrane,or both,to form a continuous bond.Someseams of this kind are made with dual bond tracks separated bya nonbonded gap.These seams are sometimes referred to asdual hot wedge seams or double-track seams.1.2.3 ExtrusionThis technique encompasses extrudingmolten resin between two geomembranes or at the edge of twooverlapped geomembranes to effect a continuous bond.1.3 The types of materials covered by this test methodinclude the following.1.3.1 Very Low Density Polyethylene(VLDPE).1.3.2 Linear Low Density Polyethylene(LLDPE).1.3.3 Very Flexible Polyethylene(VFPE).1.3.4 Linear Medium Density Polyethylene(LMDPE).1.3.5 High Density Polyethylene(HDPE).1.3.6 Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC).1.3.7 Flexible Polypropylene(fPP).NOTE1The polyethylene identifiers presented in 1.3.1 1.3.5describe the types of materials typically tested using this test method.These are industry accepted trade descriptions and are not technicalmaterial classifications based upon material density.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of PlasticsD4439 Terminology for GeosyntheticsD5199 Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thicknessof GeosyntheticsD5994 Test Method for Measuring Core Thickness of Tex-tured Geomembranes2.2 EPA Standards:EPA/600/2-88/052 Lining of Waste Containment and OtherContainment Facilities;Appendix N,Locus of break codesfor various types of FML seams33.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 geomembrane,nessentially impermeable geosyn-thetic composed of one or more synthetic sheets.3.1.2 quality assurance,nall planned and systematic ac-tions necessary to provide adequate confidence that an item ora facility will perform satisfactorily in service.3.1.3 quality control,nthe operational techniques and theactivities,which sustain a quality of material,product,system,or service that will satisfy given needs;also the use of suchtechniques and activities.4.Significance and Use4.1 The use of geomembranes as barrier materials to restrictliquid migration from one location to another in soil and rock1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 onGeosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomem-branes.Current edition approved July 1,2012.Published September 2012.Originallyapproved in 1999.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D639208.DOI:10.1520/D6392-12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from the Superintendent of Documents,US Government PrintingOffice,Washington,DC 20402.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 has created a need for a standard test method to evaluate thequality of geomembrane seams produced by thermo-fusionmethods.In the case of geomembranes,it has become evidentthat geomembrane seams can exhibit separation in the fieldunder certain conditions.Although this is an index type testmethod used for quality assurance and quality controlpurposes,it is also intended to provide the quality assuranceengineer with sufficient seam peel and shear data to evaluateseam quality.Recording and