ASTM D882

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting

ASTM D882 Tensile Testing machine for plastic - UNITEDTEST Testing Machine

The ASTM D882 tests the tensile properties of thin plastic sheeting. ASTM D882 is used to measure tensile properties including ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, tensile energy to break and tensile modulus of elasticity of thin plastic sheeting and films. The samples are cut in strips that minimally have to be eight times longer than wide. No dumbbell shape is cut for materials of that thickness. Cut samples need to be free of nicks and other cutting defects since they will have an important impact on the test results variation. The samples are tested in specific conditions of pre-treatment, sample orientation, temperature, humidity, and rate of pulling. ASTM D882 can be used for testing materials thinner than 1mm in thickness. 

ASTM D882 Typical Experimental Parameters

• Number of specimens per product: 5. In some cases, the tensile properties need to be measured both in the machine and perpendicular to the machine direction since they can vary substantially from one orientation to the other.  This behavior is called anisotropy.

• Crosshead speed: Between 12,5 mm/min and 500 mm/min.  This varies as a function of the initial strain rate as given in table 1 of the test method.

• Specimen shape: Square strips 8 times longer than wider

• Conditioning and testing temperature: 23 ± 2 °C.

• Conditioning and testing relative humidity: 50± 5%

Specimen: 

The test specimens shall consist of strips of uniform width and thickness at least 50 mm (2 in.) longer than the grip separation used.

The nominal width of the specimens shall be not less than 5.0 mm (0.20 in.) or greater than 25.4 mm (1.0 in.).

A width-thickness ratio of at least eight shall be used.Narrow specimens magnify effects of edge strains or flaws, or both.