NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.

Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

Designation: D 882 – 00 An American National Standard

Standard Test Method for

Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 882; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

These test methods have been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense to replace Method 1013 of Federal Test
Method Standard 406.

1. Scope * 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers the determination of tensile 2.1 ASTM Standards:
properties of plastics in the form of thin sheeting, including D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
film (less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) in thickness). Insulating Materials for Testing2
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics2
NOTE 1—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal
thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.). D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-
NOTE 2—Tensile properties of plastics 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) or greater in rials3
thickness shall be determined according to Test Method D 638. D 5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
1.2 This test method may be used to test all plastics within Plastics Specimens4
the thickness range described and the capacity of the machine E 4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines5
employed. E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method6
iTeh Standards
1.2.1 Static Weighing, Constant-Rate-of-Grip Separation
Test—This test method employs a constant rate of separation of 2.2 ISO Standard:
the grips holding the ends of the test specimen. ISO 527-3 Plastics—Determination of Tensile Properties—

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1.3 Specimen extension may be measured in these test
methods by grip separation, extension indicators, or displace-3. Terminology
Part 3: Test Conditions for Films and Sheets7

ment of gage marks.

Document
1.4 A procedure for determining the tensile modulus of
elasticity is included at one strain rate.
3.1Preview
Definitions—Definitions of terms and symbols relating
to tension testing of plastics appear in the Annex to Test
Method D 638.
NOTE 3—The modulus determination is generally based on the use of
ASTM D882-00
grip separation as a measure of extension; however, the desirability of
3.1.1 line grips—grips having faces designed to concentrate
the entire gripping force along a single line perpendicular to the
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using extensometers, as described in 5.2, is recognized and provision for
direction of testing stress. This is usually done by combining
the use of such instrumentation is incorporated in the procedure.
one standard flat face and an opposing face from which
1.5 Test data obtained by this test method is relevant and protrudes a half-round.
appropriate for use in engineering design. 3.1.2 tear failure—a tensile failure characterized by fracture
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the initiating at one edge of the specimen and progressing across
standard. The values in parentheses are provided for informa- the specimen at a rate slow enough to produce an anomalous
tion only. load-deformation curve.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1 Tensile properties determined by this test method are of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- value for the identification and characterization of materials for
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. control and specification purposes. Tensile properties may vary
NOTE 4—This test method is similar to ISO 527-3, but is not considered with specimen thickness, method of preparation, speed of
technically equivalent. ISO 527-3 allows for additional specimen configu- testing, type of grips used, and manner of measuring extension.
rations, specifies different test speeds, and requires an extensometer or
gage marks on the specimen. 2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
1 4
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
5
Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.10 on Mechanical Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
6
Properties. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
7
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2000. Published January 2001. Originally Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
published as D 882 – 46 T. Last previous edition D 882 – 97. Floor, New York, NY 10036.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 D 882
Consequently, where precise comparative results are desired, motion that may induce slippage will occur in the grips; there
these factors must be carefully controlled. This test method is a limit to the amount of misalignment self-aligning grips will
shall be used for referee purposes, unless otherwise indicated accommodate.
in particular material specifications. For many materials, there 5.1.3.3 The test specimen shall be held in such a way that
may be a specification that requires the use of this test method, slippage relative to the grips is prevented insofar as possible.
but with some procedural modifications that take precedence Grips lined with thin rubber, crocus-cloth, or pressure-sensitive
when adhering to the specification. Therefore, it is advisable to tape as well as file-faced or serrated grips have been success-
refer to that material specification before using this test fully used for many materials. The choice of grip surface will
method. Table 1 in Classification D 4000 lists the ASTM depend on the material tested, thickness, etc. Line grips padded
materials standards that currently exist. on the round face with 1.0 mm (40 mil) blotting paper or filter
4.2 Tensile properties may be utilized to provide data for paper have been found superior. Air-actuated grips have been
research and development and engineering design as well as found advantageous, particularly in the case of materials that
quality control and specification. However, data from such tend to “neck” into the grips, since pressure is maintained at all
tests cannot be considered significant for applications differing times. In cases where samples frequently fail at the edge of the
widely from the load-time scale of the test employed. grips, it may be advantageous to increase slightly the radius of
4.3 The tensile modulus of elasticity is an index of the curvature of the edges where the grips come in contact with the
stiffness of thin plastic sheeting. The reproducibility of test test area of the specimen.
results is good when precise control is maintained over all test 5.1.4 Drive Mechanism—A drive mechanism for imparting
conditions. When different materials are being compared for to the movable member a uniform, controlled velocity with
stiffness, specimens of identical dimensions must be employed. respect to the stationary member. The velocity shall be regu-
4.4 The tensile energy to break (TEB) is the total energy lated as specified in Section 9.
absorbed per unit volume of the specimen up to the point of 5.1.5 Load Indicator—A suitable load-indicating mecha-
rupture. In some texts this property has been referred to as nism capable of showing the total tensile load carried by the
toughness. It is used to evaluate materials that may be test specimen held by the grips. This mechanism shall be

iTeh Standards
subjected to heavy abuse or that might stall web transport essentially free of inertial lag at the specified rate of testing (see
equipment in the event of a machine malfunction in end-use Note 5). Unless a suitable extensometer is used (see 5.2), the
applications. However, the rate of strain, specimen parameters, motion of the weighing system shall not exceed 2 % of the
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and especially flaws may cause large variations in the results.
In that sense, caution is advised in utilizing TEB test results for
specimen extension within the range being measured. The load
indicator shall determine the tensile load applied to the
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end-use design applications. specimen with an accuracy of 61 % of the indicated value, or
4.5 Materials that fail by tearing give anomalous data which better. The accuracy of the testing machine shall be verified in
cannot be compared with those from normal failure. accordance with Practices E 4.
5. Apparatus 5.1.6 Crosshead Extension Indicator— A suitable
ASTM D882-00
5.1 Testing Machine—A testing machine of the constant extension-indicating mechanism capable of showing the
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amount of change in the separation of the grips, that is,
rate-of-crosshead-movement type and comprising essentially
the following: crosshead movement. This mechanism shall be essentially free
5.1.1 Fixed Member—A fixed or essentially stationary of inertial lag at the specified rate of testing (see Note 5) and
member carrying one grip. shall indicate the crosshead movement with an accuracy of
5.1.2 Movable Member—A movable member carrying a 61 % of the indicated value, or better.
second grip. 5.2 Extensometer (Optional)—A suitable instrument may, if
5.1.3 Grips—A set of grips for holding the test specimen desired, be used for determining the distance between two
between the fixed member and the movable member of the designated points on the test specimen as the specimen is
testing machine; grips can be either the fixed or self-aligning stretched. This apparatus, if employed, shall be so designed as
type. In either case, the gripping system must minimize both to minimize stress on the specimen at the contact points of the
slippage and uneven stress distribution. specimen and the instrument (see 8.3). It is desirable that this
5.1.3.1 Fixed grips are rigidly attached to the fixed and instrument automatically record the distance, or any change in
movable members of the testing machine. When this type of it, as a function of the load on the test specimen or of the
grip is used, care must be taken to ensure that the test specimen elapsed time from the start of the test, or both. If only the latter
is inserted and clamped so that the long axis of the test is obtained, load-time data must also be taken. This instrument
specimen coincides with the direction of pull through the must be essentially free of inertial lag at the specified speed of
center line of the grip assembly. testing (see Note 5).
5.1.3.2 Self-aligning grips are attached to the fixed and 5.2.1 Modulus of Elasticity and Low-Extension
movable members of the testing machine in such a manner that Measurements—Extensometers used for modulus of elasticity
they will move freely into alignment as soon as a load is and low-extension (less than 20 % elongation) measurements
applied so that the long axis of the test specimen will coincide shall, at a minimum, be accurate to 61 % and comply with the
with the direction of the applied pull through the center line of requirements set forth in Practice E 83 for a Class C instru-
the grip assembly. The specimens should be aligned as per- ment.
fectly as possible with the direction of pull so that no rotary 5.2.2 High-Extension Measurements—Instrumentation and

2
 D 882
measuring techniques used for high-extension (20 % elonga- 6.6 If the material is suspected of being anisotropic, two sets
tion or greater) measurements shall be accurate to 6 10 % of of test specimens shall be prepared having their long axes
the indicated value, or better. respectively parallel with and normal to the suspected direction
NOTE 5—A sufficiently high response speed in the indicating and
of anisotropy.
recording system for the load and extension data is essential. The response 6.7 For tensile modulus of elasticity determinations, a
speed required of the system will depend in part on the material tested specimen gage length of 250 mm (10 in.) shall be considered
(high or low elongation) and the rate of straining. as standard. This length is used in order to minimize the effects
5.3 Thickness Gage—A dead-weight dial micrometer as of grip slippage on test results. When this length is not feasible,
prescribed in Method C of Test Methods D 5947, or an test sections as short as 100 mm (4 in.) may be used if it has
equivalent measuring device, reading to 0.0025 mm (0.0001 been shown that results are not appreciably affected. However,
in.) or less. the 250-mm gage length shall be used for referee purposes. The
5.4 Width-Measuring Devices—Suitable test scales or other speed of testing of shorter specimens must be adjusted in order
width measuring devices capable of measuring 0.25 mm (0.010 for the strain rate to be equivalent to that of the standard
in.) or less. specimen.
5.5 Specimen Cutter—Razor blades, fixtures incorporating NOTE 9—Two round robin tests8 have shown that, for materials of less
razor blades, suitable paper cutters, or other devices capable of than 0.25-mm (10-mil) thickness, line grips padded on the round side with
cutting the specimens to the proper width and producing 1.0-mm (40-mil) blotting paper give the same results with a 100-mm test
straight, clean, parallel edges with no visible imperfections, section as a 250-mm test section produces with flat-face grips.
NOTE 10—Excessive jaw slippage becomes increasingly difficult to
shall be used. It is imperative that the cutting edges be kept
overcome in cases where high modulus materials are tested in thicknesses
sharp and free from visible scratches or nicks. greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
5.5.1 Devices that use razor blades have proven especially
suitable for materials having an elongation-at-fracture above 7. Conditioning
10 to 20 %. 7.1 Conditioning—Condition the test specimens at 23 6
5.5.2 A device consisting of two parallel knives mounted 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity for not less
a paper cutter) has also proven satisfactory. iTeh Standards
firmly against a precision-ground base shear block (similar to than 40 h prior to test in accordance with Procedure A of
Practice D 618 for those tests where conditioning is required.
5.5.3 The use of striking dies is not recommended because
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In cases of disagreement, the tolerances shall be 1°C (1.8°F)
of poor and inconsistent specimen edges which may be and 62 % relative humidity.
produced. 7.2 Test Conditions—Conduct tests in the Standard Labora-
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NOTE 6—Commercially manufactured specimen cutters are available.
These devices can provide greater ease in producing specimens that meet
tory Atmosphere of 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 6 5 %
relative humidity, unless otherwise specified in the test meth-
the requirements of Section 8 while significantly reducing the time ods or in this specification. In cases of disagreement, the
D882-00shall be 61°C (61.8°F) and 62 % relative humid-
required to do so.
ASTM tolerances
6. Test Specimens ity.
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6.1 The test specimens shall consist of strips of uniform 8. Number of Test Specimens
width and thickness at least 50 mm (2 in.) longer than the grip 8.1 In the case of isotropic materials, at least five specimens
separation used. shall be tested from each sample.
6.2 The nominal width of the specimens shall be not less 8.2 In the case of anisotropic materials, at least ten speci-
than 5.0 mm (0.20 in.) or greater than 25.4 mm (1.0 in.). mens, five normal and five parallel with the principal axis of
6.3 A width-thickness ratio of at least eight shall be used. anisotropy, shall be tested from each sample.
Narrow specimens magnify effects of edge strains or flaws, or 8.3 Specimens that fail at some obvious flaw or that fail
both. outside the gage length shall be discarded and retests made,
6.4 The utmost care shall be exercised in cutting specimens unless such flaws or conditions constitute a variable whose
to prevent nicks and tears which are likely to cause premature effect is being studied. However, jaw breaks (failures at the
failures (Note 7). The edges shall be parallel to within 5 % of grip contact point) are acceptable if it has been shown that
the width over the length of the specimen between the grips. results from such tests are in essential agreement with values
NOTE 7—Microscopical examination of specimens may be used to obtained from breaks occurring within the gage length.
detect flaws due to sample or specimen preparation.
NOTE 11—In the case of some materials, examination of specimens,
6.5 Wherever possible, the test specimens shall be selected prior to and following testing, under crossed optical polarizers (polarizing
so that thickness is uniform to within 10 % of the thickness films) provides a useful means of detecting flaws which may be, or are,
over the length of the specimen between the grips in the case responsible for premature failure.
of materials 0.25 mm (0.010 in.) or less in thickness and to
9. Speed of Testing
within 5 % in the case of materials greater than 0.25 mm (0.010
in.) in thickness but less than 1.00 mm (0.040 in.) in thickness. 9.1 The speed of testing is the rate of separation of the two
NOTE 8—In cases where thickness variations are in excess of those
recommended in 6.5, results may not be characteristic of the material 8
Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR: D20-
under test. 1058.

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 D 882
members (or grips) of the testing machine when running idle minations with the expectation of obtaining more accurate values than
(under no load). This rate of separation shall be maintained may be obtained using grip separation as the effective gage length.
within 5 % of the no-load value when running under full- Precautions should be taken to ensure that extensometer slippage and
undue stressing of the specimen do not occur. Refer also to 6.7.
capacity load.
9.2 The speed of testing shall be calculated from the 10.5 In cases where it is desired to measure a test section
required initial strain rate as specified in Table 1. The rate of other than the total length between the grips, mark the ends of
grip separation may be determined for the purpose of these test the desired test section with a soft, fine wax crayon or with ink.
methods from the initial strain rate as follows: Do not scratch these marks onto the surface since such
A 5 BC (1) scratches may act as stress raisers and cause premature
specimen failure. Extensometers may be used if available; in
where: this case, the test section will be defined by the contact points
A = rate of grip separation, mm (or in.)/min, of the extensometer.
B = initial distance between grips, mm (or in.), and
C = initial strain rate, mm/mm·min (or in./in.·min). NOTE 14—Measurement of a specific test section is necessary with
some materials having high elongation. As the specimen elongates, the
9.3 The initial strain rate shall be as in Table 1 unless accompanying reduction in area results in a loosening of material at the
otherwise indicated by the specification for the material being inside edge of the grips. This reduction and loosening moves back into the
tested. grips as further elongation and reduction in area takes place. In effect, this
causes problems similar to grip slippage, that is, exaggerates measured
NOTE 12—Results obtained at different initial strain rates are not
extension.
comparable; consequently, where direct comparisons between materials in
various elongation classes are required, a single initial strain rate should
10.6 Place the test specimen in the grips of the testing
be used. For some materials it may be advisable to select the strain rates
machine, taking care to align the long axis of the specimen
on the basis of percent elongation at yield.
with an imaginary line joining the points of attachment of the
9.4 In cases where conflicting material classification, as grips to the machine. Tighten the grips evenly and firmly to the
determined by percent elongation at break values, results in a degree necessary to minimize slipping of the specimen during
choice of strain rates, the lower rate shall be used.
iTeh Standards
test.
9.5 If modulus values are being determined, separate speci- 10.7 Start the machine and record load versus extension.
mens shall be used whenever strain rates and specimen 10.7.1 When the total length between the grips is used as the

other tensile properties. (https://standards.iteh.ai)

dimensions are not the same as those employed in the test for test area, record load versus grip separation.
10.7.2 When a specific test area has been marked on the
10. Procedure
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10.1 Select a load range such that specimen failure occurs
specimen, follow the displacement of the edge boundary lines
with respect to each other with dividers or some other suitable
device. If a load-extension curve is desired, plot various
within its upper two thirds. A few trial runs may be necessary extensions versus corresponding loads sustained, as measured
to select a proper combination of load range and specimen ASTM by
D882-00
the load indicator.
width.
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10.7.3 When an extensometer is used, record load versus
10.2 Measure the cross-sectional area of the specimen at extension of the test area measured by the extensometer.
several points along its length. Measure the width to an 10.8 If modulus values are being determined, select a load
accuracy of 0.25 mm (0.010 in.) or better. Measure the range and chart rate to produce a load-extension curve of
thickness to an accuracy of 0.0025 mm (0.0001 in.) or better between 30 and 60° to the X axis. For maximum accuracy, use
for films less than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.) in thickness and to an the most sensitive load scale for which this condition can be
accuracy of 1 % or better for films greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 met. The test may be discontinued when the load-extension
in.) but less than 1.0 mm (0.040 in.) in thickness. curve deviates from linearity.
10.3 Set the initial grip separation in accordance with Table 10.9 In the case of materials being evaluated for secant
1. modulus, the test may be discontinued when the specified
10.4 Set the rate of grip separation to give the desired strain extension has been reached.
rate, based on the initial distance between the grips, in 10.10 If tensile energy to break is being determined, some
accordance with Table 1. Zero the calibrated load weighing provision must be made for integration of the stress-strain
system, extension indicator(s) and recording system. curve. This may be either an electronic integration during the
NOTE 13—Extensometers may be used for modulus of elasticity deter- test or a subsequent determination from the area of the finished

TABLE 1 Crosshead Speeds and Initial Grip Separation

Initial Strain Rate, Initial Grip Separation Rate of Grip Separation
Percent Elongation
mm/mm·min
at Break mm in. mm/min in./min
(in./in.·min)
Modulus of Elasticity Determination
0.1 250 10 25 1.0
Determinations other than Elastic Modulus
Less than 20 0.1 125 5 12.5 0.5
20 to 100 0.5 100 4 50 2.0
Greater than 100 10.0 50 2 500 20.0