ASTM_D_3981_-_09a.pdf

Designation:D398109aStandard Specification forPolyethylene Films Made from Medium-Density Polyethylenefor General Use and Packaging Applications1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3981;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.Scope*1.1 This specification covers unpigmented,unsupported,sheet or tubular,medium-density polyethylene films(hereafterreferred to as film or films)from resins having densities in therange from 926.0 to 938.0 kg/m3(0.926 to 0.938 g/cm3),inclusive,as measured on molded plaques.1.2 This specification is applicable to homopolymer poly-ethylene but is not restricted to it.1.3 This specification is also applicable to films made fromcopolymer polyethylene commonly referred to in industry aslow-pressure polyethylene.1.4 This specification is also applicable to films made fromblends of homopolymers and copolymers,including ethylene/vinyl-acetate copolymers.1.5 This specification allows for the use of recycled poly-ethylene film or resin as feedstock,in whole or in part,as longas all the requirements of this specification are met and as longas any specific requirements as governed by the producer andend user are also met(see Note 1).NOTE1Guide D7209 contains terminology and definitions relating torecycled plastics.1.6 Special care must be exercised if this specification isapplied to colored or pigmented films.This specification doesnot 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 takeninto account by mutual agreement between the supplier and thepurchaser.1.7 The thickness of the films covered by this specificationrange from 25 to 100 m(0.001 to 0.004 in.),inclusive.Themaximum width of the sheet or lay-flat is 3.05 m(120 in.).1.8 This specification does not cover oriented heat-shrinkable films.1.9 This specification defines the levels of various physicalproperties from which specifications for specific films are to bedescribed.The levels of physical properties required by a filmfor a given application are selected from Section 6 and thecorresponding tables.However,Sections 7.2 7.5 relating totolerances shall apply without change to all film falling withinthe scope indicated by the title and 1.1 1.4.1.10 This specification covers dimensional tolerances,classification,intrinsic quality requirements,and test methods.The dimensional tolerances include thickness,width,andlength or yield.Classification defines types,classes,surfaces,and finishes.The intrinsic quality requirements include density,workmanship,impactstrength,tensilestrength,heatsealability,and odor,as well as the classification properties forstiffness,coefficient of friction,optical properties,and surfacetreatment.A sampling method is included.1.11 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.The values in parentheses are given for informationonly.1.12 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to thetest methods portion,Section 10,of this specification:Thisstandard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is the responsibility of the userof this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthpractices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-tions prior to use.NOTE2There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity(Rela-tive Density)of Plastics by DisplacementD882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin PlasticSheetingD883 Terminology Relating to PlasticsD1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 onPlastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film,Sheeting,and Molded Products.Current edition approved May 1,2009.Published June 2009.Originallyapproved in 1981.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D3981 09.DOI:10.1520/D3981-09A.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.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 of Transparent PlasticsD1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient TechniqueD1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Filmby the Free-Falling Dart MethodD1894 Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients ofFriction of Plastic Film and SheetingD1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics(Withdrawn 1998)3D2103 Sp