ASTM D5397-99e1

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Designation: D 5397 – 99
Standard Test Method for
Evaluation of Stress Crack Resistance of Polyolefin
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Geomembranes Using Notched Constant Tensile Load Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5397; 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.
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e NOTE—12.1 and Table 1 were added editorially in August 2002.
1. Scope man-made project, structure, or system (see Test Method
D 4833).
1.1 This test method is used to develop test data from which
3.1.2 stress crack, n—an external or internal crack in a
the susceptibility of polyolefin geomembrane sheet material to
plastic caused by tensile stresses less than its short-time
stress cracking under a constant tensile load condition and an
mechanical strength (see Definitions D 883).
accelerated environmental condition can be evaluated.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The development of such cracks is
1.2 This test method measures the failure time associated
frequently accelerated by the environment to which the plastic
with a given test specimen at a specified tensile load level.
is exposed. The stresses that cause cracking may be present
Results from a series of such tests utilizing a range of load
internally or externally or may be combinations of these
levels can be used to construct a stress-time plot on a log-log
stresses.
axis.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
4. Summary of Test Method
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are
4.1 This test method consists of subjecting a dumbbell
provided for information only.
shaped notched test specimen from a polyolefin sheet to a
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
constant tensile load in the presence of a surface-active agent
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and at an elevated temperature. The time to failure of the test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
specimen is recorded. The results of a series of such tests
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
conducted at different stress levels are presented by plotting
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
stress level against failure time for each stress level on a
2. Referenced Documents log-log axis.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Significance and Use
2
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
2 5.1 This test method does not purport to interpret the
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
3 resulting response curve. Such interpretation is left to the
D 4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing
parties involved in the commissioning and reporting of the test
D 4491 Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles
3 results.
by Permittivity
5.2 This test method is intended as an index test and may be
D 4833 Test Method for Index Puncture Resistance of
3 used for grading polyolefin geomembrane sheets in regard to
Geotextiles, Geomembranes, and Related Products
their stress cracking sensitivity.
3. Terminology 5.2.1 Conditions that can affect stress cracking include:
level of loading, test temperature and environment, microstruc-
3.1 Definitions:
ture, polymer additive package, processing history, and thermal
3.1.1 geomembrane, n—very low permeability synthetic
history.
membrane liners or barriers used with any geotechnical engi-
neering related material so as to control fluid migration in a
6. Apparatus
6.1 Blanking Die—A die suitable for cutting test specimens
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
to the dimensions and tolerances shown in Fig. 1.
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.02 on Endur-
ance Properties.
NOTE 1—The length of the specimen can be changed to suit the design
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1999. Published March 2000. Originally
of the test apparatus. However, there should be a constant neck section
published as D 5397 – 93. Last previous edition D 5397 – 95.
2 with length at least 13 mm (0.5 in.) long. The width should be 3.20 mm
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
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(0.125 in.).
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D5397–99
desired loading on each specimen. The surface-active agent in which the
specimens are immersed is contained in an open stainless steel tank. A
submersion heater and controller are used to maintain the test temperature.
A pump keeps the liquid in a constant state of agitation. A timing clock for
each test specimen is also provided to record automatically the failure time
of the test specimens to the nearest 0.1 h.
NOTE 4—If “on/off” switches are used to control the ti
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