ASTM D7176-22

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Designation: D7176 − 06 (Reapproved 2018) D7176 − 22
Standard Specification for
Non-Reinforced Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Geomembranes
Used in Buried Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7176; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flexible sheeting which is used for construction of concealed containment
membranes. Examples are ponds and lakes, canals, reservoirs, landfill liners, covers and closures, or similar installations where the
membrane is inaccessible once the construction is complete. Included are requirements for materials and sheeting, test methods,
workmanship criteria, and methods of marking. This specification covers unreinforced flexible sheet made from polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) resin as the primary polymer intended for use in geomembranes. This specification covers PVC sheet 0.25 mm through 1.5
mm thickness (0.010 in. through 0.060 in.), typically used for geomembrane linings.
1.2 Reworked materials may be used in this product in accordance with the requirements in Section 5.
1.3 The tests are intended to ensure quality and performance, and are not intended for design purposes. Tests have been selected
to be conducted primarily with liquids that simulate the environment to which the membrane will be subjected during actual use.
The test and property limits used to characterize the sheet are values intended to ensure minimum quality for the intended purpose.
In-place design criteria such as material compatibility, compatibility and chemical resistance, among others, are factors that shall
be considered but are beyond the scope of this specification.
1.4 The values stated in metric units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in parentheses (English) are for
information only.
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.06 on Geosynthetic
Specifications.
Current edition approved July 1, 2018Oct. 1, 2022. Published July 2018October 2022. Originally published approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved 2011 in 2018
as D7176 – 06 (2011).(2018). DOI: 10.1520/D7176-06R18.10.1520/D7176-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7176 − 22
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D1004 Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D1203 Test Methods for Volatile Loss from Plastics Using Activated Carbon Methods
D1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
D1239 Test Method for Resistance of Plastic Films to Extraction by Chemicals
D1243 Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Vinyl Chloride Polymers
D1790 Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastic Sheeting by Impact
D2124 Test Method for Analysis of Components in Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Compounds Using an Infrared Spectrophotometric
Technique (Withdrawn 2020)
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D5033 Guide for Development of ASTM Standards Relating to Recycling and Use of Recycled Plastics (Withdrawn 2007)
D5199 Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness of Geosynthetics
D5747/D5747M Practice for Tests to Evaluate the Chemical Resistance of Geomembranes to Liquids
D8133 Test Method for Determination of Low Level Phthalates in Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Plastics by Solvent Extraction—Gas
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
G160 Practice for Evaluating Microbial Susceptibility of Nonmetallic Materials By Laboratory Soil Burial
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Terminology D4439, unless otherwise indicated.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 fabricator, n—a company that converts geomembrane rolls into panels.
3.2.2 homogeneous sheeting, n—sheeting that is of uniform composition throughout its thickness.
3.2.3 manufacturer, n—a company that processes raw materials into geomembrane rolls.
3.2.4 panel, n—a series of geomembrane sheets fabricated together to make a larger unit, as supplied by a fabricator, usually folded
onto a pallet or folded then rolled onto a core.
3.2.5 roll, n—a quantity of geomembrane rolled up to form a single package as supplied from the manufacturer.
3.2.6 roll width, n—the width of a roll as supplied from the manufacturer, typically 1.5 to 2.5 m (60 to 96 in.).
3.2.7 sheet, n—a part of the manufactured geomembrane material cut from the roll.
4. Classification
4.1 The sheeting will be subdivided by grades based on thickness:
4.1.1 PVC10—0.254 mm (0.010 in.).
4.1.2 PVC20—0.508 mm (0.020 in.).
4.1.3 PVC30—0.762 mm (0.030 in.).
4.1.4 PVC40—1.016 mm (0.040 in.).
4.1.5 PVC50—1.270 mm (0.050 in.).
4.1.6 PVC60—1.524 mm (0.060 in.).
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
D7176 − 22
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 This specification covers polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containment membrane formulated from PVC materials meeting the
following requirements:
5.2 The geomembrane sheet shall consist of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin in amounts greater than 50 % of the total weight,
suitably compounded with plasticizers, stabilizers, additives, and pigments to satisfy the physical property requirements.
5.3 A PVC resin with an inherent viscosity (logarithmic viscosity number) of not less than 0.92, as determined by Test Method
D1243.
5.4 Reworked materials, as defined in Guide D5033, may be used in this product if all the requirements in Sections 3, 5, and 6
are met by the reworked material. A maximum of up to 10 % reworked material shall be permitted.
6. Physical Properties and Requirements
6.1 The sheeting shall conform to the physical requirements prescribed in Tables 1 and 2.
6.2 Sheeting shall be compounded so that bonds between sheets used in fabrication of large geomembrane panels can be
accomplished in the factory or field without reducing the overall resistance of the membrane to permeation or leakage, or
significantly reducing the sheeting’s physical strength. The manufacturer shall specify recommended bonding procedures in its
product literature.
6.3 The sheeting shall be colored as agreed upon between the purchaser and the seller as part of the purchase contract.
6.4 The sheeting shall be monolithic and homogeneous.
6.5 Metric values are converted from U.S. values and are rounded to the available significant digits.
6.6 Manufacturing Certified Properties—Certified properties are tested based on a quantity of material produced. Certified
properties are tested once per lot, or once every 18 000 kg of material (40 000 lb), whichever is more frequent. The certification
properties include thickness, tensile break strength, elongation at break, modulus at 100 % strain, tear resistance, dimensional
stability, and low-temperature impact. Thickness is to be tested once per roll, unless automatic thickness measuring equipment is
installed on the production equipment. Certified test reports (material certification) for the certified properties are to be provided
by the manufacturer with every order.
TABLE 1 Certified Properties
Certified Properties ASTM PVC 10 PVC 20 PVC 30 PVC 40 PVC 50 PVC 60
Thickness ± D5199 0.254 ± 0.013 mm 0.508 ± 0.030 mm 0.762 ± 0.040 mm 1.016 ± 0.050 mm 1.270 ± 0.060 mm 1.524 ± 0.080 mm
(0.010 ± 0.0005 in.) (0.020 ± 0.0010 in.) (0.030 ± 0.0015 in.) (0.040 ± 0.0020 in.) (0.050 ± 0.0025 in.) (0.060 ± 0.0030 in.)
Tensile Properties D882
Strength at Break Min 4.2 kN/m 8.4 kN/m 12.8 kN/m 17.0 kN/m 20.3 kN/m 24.0 kN/m
(24 lb/in.) (48 lb/in.) (73 lb/in.) (97 lb/in.) (116 lb/in.) (137 lb/in.)
Elongation Min 250 % 360 % 380 % 430 % 430 % 450 %
Modulus at 100 % Min 1.8 kN/m 3.6 kN/m 5.4 kN/m 7.2 kN/m 9.0 kN/m 10.8 kN/m
(10 lb/in.) (20 lb/in.) (30 lb/in.) (40 lb/in.) (50 lb/in.) (60 lb/in.)
Tear Strength D1004 11 N 27 N 35 N 44 N 58 N 67 N
Min (2.5 lb) (6 lb) (8 lb) (10 lb) (13 lb) (15 lb)
Dimensional Stability D1204 4 % 4 % 3 % 3 % 3 % 3 %
Max
Change
Low-Temperature D1790 –23 °C –26 °C –29 °C –29 °C –29 °C –29 °C
Impact Pass (–10 °F) (–15 °F) (–20 °F) (–20 °F) (–20 °F) (–20 °F)
D7176 − 22
TABLE 2 Index Properties
Index Properties ASTM PVC 10 PVC 20 PVC 30 PVC 40 PVC 50 PVC 60
Specific Gravity D792 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2
Min
Water Extraction D1239 0.15 7% 0.15 % 0.15 % 0.20 % 0.20 % 0.20 %
Max Loss
Volatile Loss D1203 1.5 % 0.90 % 0.70 % 0.50 % 0.50 % 0.50 %
Max Loss
Soil Burial G160
Max Change
Break Strength 5 % 5 % 5 % 5 % 5 % 5 %
Elongation 20 % 20 % 20 % 20 % 20 % 20 %
Modulus at 100 % 20 % 20 % 20 % 20 % 20 % 20 %
Hydrostatic Resistance D751 290 kPa 470 kPa 690 kPa 830 kPa 1030 kPa 1240 kPa
Min (42 psi) (68 psi) (100 psi) (120 psi) (150 psi) (180 psi)
Minimum Average Molecular Weight D2124 400 400 400 400 400 400
Minimum Average Molecular Weight D813
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