ASTM D3218-07(2018)

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.
Designation: D3218 −07 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Specification for
Polyolefin Monofilaments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3218; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
test methods described in this specification: This standard may
1.1 This specification covers polyolefin monofilament yarn
involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This
materials, and test methods for standard polyolefin monofila-
standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems,
ments.Whiledesignedprimarilyfortestingstandardpolyolefin
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
monofilaments,manyoftheprocedurescanbeused,withlittle
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
or no modification, for other polyolefin monofilaments.
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
However, testing on non-standard polyolefin monofilaments
regulatory limitations prior to use.
should be conducted with caution. See 3.1 for a definition of
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
standard polyolefin monofilament.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 Onlyonconditionthatinterlaboratoryprecisiondataare
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
available for the specific procedure is any test method
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
described,orreferencedinthisspecification,recommendedfor
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
acceptance testing of commercial shipments of polyolefin
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
monofilaments.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 Thespecificationforpolyolefinrawmaterialsappearsin
Section 4. 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D123Terminology Relating to Textiles
1.4 The test methods for individual properties appear in the
D374Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu-
following sections:
lation (Metric) D0374_D0374M
Property Section
D1248Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion
Breaking Force 10 Materials for Wire and Cable
Breaking Tenacity 10
D1776Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
Elongation 10
D1907Test Method for Linear Density ofYarn (Yarn Num-
Gloss 13
Hot Water Shrinkage 14 ber) by the Skein Method
Initial Modulus 10
D1921Test Methods for Particle Size (Sieve Analysis) of
Polyolefin-Material Cleanliness 17
Plastic Materials
Resistance to Ultraviolet Radiation 15
Stability to Thermal Oxidation 16 D2146Specification for Propylene Plastic Molding and
Tensile Properties 10
Extrusion Materials (Withdrawn 1986)
Thickness 12
D2256Test Method for Tensile Properties of Yarns by the
Width 11
Yarn Number 9
Single-Strand Method
D2258Practice for Sampling Yarn for Testing
NOTE 1—In most instances, the suitability of these procedures for
D2259Test Method for Shrinkage of Yarns
polymeric yarns in general, and polyolefin monofilaments in particular, is
already accepted in commercial transactions (see 6.1).
D2565Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics In-
tended for Outdoor Applications
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D4101Classification System and Basis for Specification for
standard; the values in English units are provided as informa-
Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials
tion only and are not exact equivalents.
D4849Terminology Related to Yarns and Fibers
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Textiles and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.58 on Yarns and contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Fibers. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved July 1, 2018. Published August 2018. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D3218–07(2012). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D3218-07R18. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3218 − 07 (2018)
E203Test Method for Water Using Volumetric Karl Fischer ently or otherwise present in the polyolefin raw material. In
Titration such cases, shipments may be rated for moisture content.
G26 Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus 4.7.1 Superficial Moisture Content of polyolefin materials,
(Xenon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure when specified, shall be determined in accordance with the
of Nonmetallic Materials (Discontinued 2001) (With- Procedure for Insoluble Solids in Test Method E203.
drawn 2000) 4.7.2 Total Moisture Content, when specified, shall be
determined in accordance with a method to be agreed upon
2.2 Other Documents:
between the purchaser and the supplier. The technique illus-
Federal Test Method Standard No.141a,Sept. 1, 1965,
trated in Eastman Technical Report 24, based on gas chroma-
Section 6000, Method6101 “60-Degree Specular Gloss”
tography of vaporized moisture, is an acceptable analytical
Technical Report 24—“A Rapid Method for the Determi-
approach.
nation of Moisture in Pigmented Polyethylene Coating
Materials,” Eastman Chemical Products Inc.
TEST METHODS
3. Terminology
5. Summary
3.1 For all terminology relating to D13.58, Yarns and
5.1 Summaries of the various testing procedures are in-
Fibers, refer to Terminology D4849.
cluded in the referenced test methods, or in pertinent sections
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard:
of this specification.
breakingforce,drawratio,drawing,elongationatbreak,gloss,
heat shrinkage, initial modulus, monofilament, polyolefin,
6. Significance and Use
resistance to ultraviolet radiation, polyolefin-material
6.1 Acceptance Testing—The test methods in Specification
cleanliness, stability to thermal oxidation, standard polyolefin
D3218 for the determination of the properties of polyolefin
monofilament, tape yarn.
monofilaments are considered satisfactory for acceptance test-
3.2 For all other terminology related to textiles, refer to
ing of commercial shipments of polyolefin monofilaments,
Terminology D123.
unless specified in the individual test method. These test
methods are the best available and are used extensively in the
4. Polyolefin-Monofilament Raw Materials
trade.
4.1 Polyolefin Monofilaments shall be made from either
6.1.1 If there are differences or practical significance be-
polypropylene as specified in 4.2, or polyethylene as specified
tween reported test results for two laboratories (or more)
in 4.3.
comparativetestshouldbeperformedtodetermineifthereisa
statistical bias between them, using competent statistical assis-
4.2 Polypropylene shall meet the requirements for Group 1
tance.As a minimum, test samples that are as homogeneous as
or 2, as detailed in Specification D4101.
possible,drawnfromthematerialfromwhichthedisparatetest
4.3 Polyethyleneshallhavea densityhigherthan940kg/m
resultswereobtained,andrandomlyassignedinequalnumbers
and shall meet the requirements for polyethylene plastics, as
to each laboratory for testing. The test results from the two
detailed in Specification D1248.
laboratories should be compared using a statistical test for
4.4 Flow Rate of the polyolefin materials shall be agreed
unpaired data, at a probability level chosen prior to the testing
uponbythepurchaserandthesupplier,andshallbedetermined
series. If a bias is found either its cause must be found and
as directed in either Specification D1248 or D2146, whichever
corrected or future test results for that material must be
is applicable.
adjusted in consideration of the known bias.
4.5 Particle Size—Shipments of polyolefin raw materials
7. Sampling and Number of Specimens
may be rated for particle size. When specified, particle size
7.1 Take samples as directed in the applicable material
shall be determined by the multi-sieve analysis described in
specification, or as agreed upon by the purchaser and the
Method A of Test Methods D1921.
supplier. In the absence of an applicable material specification,
4.6 Polyolefin-Material Cleanliness—Although resin clean-
orotheragreement,takealotsampleandlaboratorysamplesas
liness is not a structural or chemical characteristic, shipments
directed in Practice D2258.
may be advisable to rate shipments for the amount of foreign
NOTE 2—An adequate specification or other agreement between the
matter in, or on, delivered polyolefin raw materials.
purchaserandthesupplierrequirestakingintoaccountvariabilitybetween
4.6.1 When specified, polyolefin-material cleanliness shall
shipping units, between packages, or ends within a shipping unit, and
be determined by the procedure described in Section 17 of this
betweenspecimensfromasinglepackagesoastoprovideasamplingplan
specification.
with a meaningful producer’s risk, consumer’s risk, acceptable quality
level, and limiting quality level.
4.7 Moisture Content—Some monofilament-extrusion pro-
7.2 The required number of specimens is covered in the
cesses may be sensitive to slight amounts of moisture, inher-
referenced methods, or in the pertinent sections.
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS. The Gardner Automatic Photometer Unit, Model AUX-3, available from
Available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., Subsidiary of Eastman GardnerLaboratory,Inc.,P.O.Box5728(5221LandyLane),Bethesda,MD20014,
Kodak Co., P. O. Box 431, Kingsport, TN 37662. or its equivalent, has been found satisfactory for this method.
D3218 − 07 (2018)
8. Conditioning where:
M = stage micrometer readings, in micrometers (mils), and
8.1 Expose the specimens in the standard atmosphere for
N = corresponding number of units in the eyepiece grid.
testing textiles, as defined in Practice D1776; except that it is
not essential to control humidity.
11.5 Procedure:
11.5.1 Adjust the microscope to the design magnification of
9. Yarn Number
25×.
9.1 Procedure—Determine the direct yarn number in tex or
11.5.2 Place a specimen of the monofilament on the micro-
deniertothreesignificantfiguresasdirectedinOption1ofTest
scope stage, and set the scale of the eyepiece perpendicular to
Method D1907.
the long axis of the monofilament specimen.
11.5.3 Measure the width of the specimen monofilament, to
9.2 Report:
the nearest eyepiece division. Repeat the width measurement
9.2.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in
three times, on different segments of the same specimen.
Section 9 of Specification D3218. Describe the material or
Record the three width measurements.
product sampled and the method of sampling used.
11.5.4 Test four monofilament specimens.
9.2.2 Report the direct yarn number in tex, or in denier.
11.6 Calculation:
10. Tensile Properties
11.6.1 Calculatetheaveragewidthofthefourspecimens,in
10.1 Apparatus—Tensiletestingmachineofatypeasspeci-
micrometers or mils, to three significant digits, using Eq 2:
fied in Test Method D2256. All types of tensile machines
¯
X 5 ~ X!F/12 (2)
describedinTestMethodD2256areadequatetotestpolyolefin
(
monofilaments with a draw ratio between 5:1 and 7:1. Poly-
where:
olefinmonofilamentswithdrawratiosoutsidethisrangecannot
¯
X = average width of the four monofilaments,
be tested with assurance of correct results, by all tensile
∑X = sumofthetwelveobservedindividualmeasurements,
machines specified in Test Method D2256.
in eyepiece units, and
10.2 Procedure—Determine the breaking force, the break-
F = conversion factor, as derived in 11.4.
ing tenacity, and the elongation of adequately conditioned
11.7 Report:
polyolefin monofilaments, using configuration A, condition 1
11.7.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in
of Test Method D2256.
Section 11 of Specification D3218. Describe the material or
10.3 Report:
product sampled and the method of sampling used.
10.3.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in
11.7.2 Report the average width of the four specimens, in
Section 10 of Specification D3218. Describe the material or
micrometers or mils.
product sampled and the method of sampling used.
11.8 Precision and Bias:
10.3.2 Report the following information for each laboratory
11.8.1 Precision—The precision of this test method has not
sampling unit and for the lot:
been established.
10.3.2.1 Breaking force,
11.8.2 Bias—The procedure in Specification D3218 for
10.3.2.2 Breaking tenacity,
testing width has no known bias and is generally used as a
10.3.2.3 Elongationatbreak,asapercentageofthenominal
reference method.
gage length, and
10.3.2.4 Initial modulus.
12. Thickness
11. Width
12.1 Scope—This test method covers the determination of
11.1 Scope—This test method covers the measurement of
the thickness of flat polyolefin monofilaments, by a microm-
the width of polyolefin monofilaments, by means of a cali- eter.
brated microscope.
12.2 Procedure:
11.2 Summary of Test Method—Aspecimenisplacedonthe
12.2.1 Determine the thickness of the monofilaments, as
microscope stage and is viewed under a magnification of 25×.
directed in Method C of Test Methods D374. If it is necessary
The width of the specimen is measured using a reticle scaled
to test very narrow monofilaments, or round filaments, lay out
eyepiece or filar micrometer eyepiece.
several parallel specimens on the anvil.
12.2.2 Measure the thickness of the specimen to the nearest
11.3 Apparatus:
2.5 µm (0.1 mil). Repeat the thickness measurement three
11.3.1 Microscope designed for a magnification of 25×.
times on different segments of the same specimen. Record the
With an eyepiece having a calibrated linear grid.
three thickness measurements.
11.4 Calibration of Apparatus—Adjust the microscope, to
12.2.3 Make four tests for a total of 16 observations.
secure the design magnification of 25×, and measure the total
12.3 Calculation:
eyepiecescaleusingastagemicrometer,graduatedinmicrom-
12.3.1 Calculate the average thickness of the four
eters or mils. Calculate the conversion factor, F, to convert the
specimens, in µm (mils), to two significant figures.
eyepiece units to mils, using Eq 1:
F 5 M/N (1) 12.4 Report:
D3218 − 07 (2018)
12.4.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in Wrap a second layer of yarn at right angles to the first layer.
Section 12 of Specification D3218. Describe the material or Wrap the yarn across the board neatly, so that each spiral of
product sampled and the method of sampling used. yarnlaysimmediatelyadjacenttothenextspiralofyarn.Cover
12.4.2 Report the average thickness of the four specimens. as much as possible of the first layer.
13.4.4 Remove the board from the winder and turn the
12.5 Precision and Bias—The precision and bias of the
boardtothepositiondescribedin13.4.1.Wrapthelastlayerof
procedures in Specification D3218 for testing thickness are as
yarn (third layer) in the same manner described in 13.4.2 for
specified in Test Methods D374.
the first layer.
13.4.5 Place the gloss-meter on the monofilament specimen
13. Gloss
(yarn board).Take six gloss readings at different places on one
13.1 Summary of Test Method:
side, three longitudinally, and three transversely taking the
13.1.1 Gloss is measured on both sides of a specimen
readingsdirectlyfromtheinstrumentdial.Recordthereadings
formed by winding three layers of the polyolefin
to the nearest 0.1-gloss unit.
monofilaments, in a standard pattern, on a yarn board. This
13.4.6 Turn the board over and repeat 13.4.5.
procedure is especially designed for pigmented polyolefin
13.5 Calculation:
monofilaments.
13.5.1 Calculate the average of the 12 gloss readings for
13.1.2 Basically, the method is derived from Federal Test
eachofthelaboratorysamplingunitstothenearest0.1unitand
Method Standard No. 141a, Method6101.
the average for the lot.
13.2 Significance and Use:
13.6 Report:
13.2.1 The degree of gloss is important in many applica-
13.6.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in
tions of polyolefin monofilament. This test method is used to
Section 13 of Specification D3218. Describe the material or
provideameasureofthischaracteristic,fromglossreadingson
product sampled and the method of sampling used.
panels of polyolefin monofilaments wound on a yarn board.
13.6.2 Report the gloss for each laboratory sampling unit
13.2.2 Glossreadingsareaffectedbymanyfactors,suchas:
and for the lot.
thedegreeofpigmentationofthespecimen;thedirectionofthe
planeoftheangleofincidence,relativelytothedirectionofthe 13.7 Precision and Bias:
13.7.1 Precision—The precision of this test method has not
wind of the outer layer of monofilaments on the yarn board,
when measuring unpigmented specimens with high gloss. been established.
13.7.2 Bias—No justifiable statement can be made on the
When all these factors cannot be controlled, test results by this
test method should be viewed with caution. bias of this method for determining gloss, since the true value
of the property cannot be determined by an acceptable referee
13.3 Apparatus:
6 method.
13.3.1 Gloss-Meter , graduated in 0.1-gloss units.
13.3.2 Yarn Board Winder—Asmall machine, usually oper-
14. Hot Water Shrinkage
ated by a hand crank, to rotate a yarn board end-over-end, and
14.1 Procedure—Determine the shrinkage in boiling dis-
fitted with a traversing guide capable of spacing the yarn
tilled (or demineralized) water as directed in Test Method
evenly across the board, as it is wound.
D2259, except that the test specimens are single ends of
13.3.3 Package Holders—Vertical spindles for bobbins or
polyolefin monofilament 1 m (39 in.) long rather than skeins,
cones, and shafts on which tubes or flanged spools can turn
andtheboilingtimeis10min.Measurethetotallengthofeach
freely.
sample with a metre stick before and after shrinking. Apply a
13.3.4 Yarn Board—Rectangle of stiff gray cardboard ap-
tension of 1 mN/tex (0.1 gf/tex) to remove any wrinkles that
proximately 100 by 150 mm (4 by 6 in.).
maybepresent.Testthreespecimens,andrecordtheindividual
13.4 Procedure:
results.
13.4.1 Clamp one narrow end of the yarn board in the yarn
14.2 Report:
board winder. The protruding end of the board in the clamp
14.2.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in
should extend about 100 mm (4 in.).
Section 14 of Specification D3218. Describe the material or
13.4.2 Lead the monofilament from the yarn package
product sampled and the method of sampling used.
throughthepigtailguide.Passthefirstwrapofyarnaroundthe
14.2.2 Report the average shrinkage of the three specimens,
width of the board and attach it to the upper right side of the
to the nearest 0.1 percentage point.
yarn board. Push the pigtail guide to the extreme right on the
traverse rod, and make sure the yarn is not twisted. Turn the
15. Resistance to Ultraviolet Radiation
yarn board slowly with the hand crank. After a few wraps,
check the yarn on the board again, to see that it is not twisted. 15.1 Summary of Test Method:
Wrap the yarn around the board neatly, so that each spiral of 15.1.1 The specimens are exposed to a xenon arc weather-
yarn lays immediately adjacent to the last previous wound ometersource.Thetestconditionsoftemperatureandhumidity
spiral of yarn. Continue wrapping until the exposed area of the approximate those encountered in actual outdoors in subtropi-
board is completely covered. cal regions.
13.4.3 Remove the board from the winder, turn the board 15.1.2 Breaking tenacity is determined at regular intervals,
througharightangleandclamptheboard,again,tothewinder. during the laboratory exposure program and on an unexposed
D3218 − 07 (2018)
controlyarn.Theaveragebreaking-tenacityvalues,obtainedat 15.7.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in
each scheduled interval, are plotted versus the corresponding Section 15 of Specification D3218. Describe the material or
exposure times, in graph form. The graph is used to estimate product sampled and the method of sampling used.
(by interpolation) the exposure time corresponding to 50% 15.7.2 Report the following information:
loss of original breaking tenacity. 15.7.2.1 Resistance to radiative energy, as the estimated
numberofclock-hours,necessarytoproducea50%lossofthe
15.2 Significance and Use:
original breaking tenacity, and
15.2.1 Data obtained by this test method are expected to
15.7.2.2 Artificial sunlight source, used in the exposure
correlate reasonably well with data from exposure outdoors.
program.
15.2.2 Thekeyfactorinthistestmethodistheschedulingof
15.8 Precision and Bias:
the exposure interval, that is, the short-time exposure cycle
15.8.1 Precision—The precision of this test method has not
within a total exposure program.After each exposure interval,
been established.
the breaking tenacity is determined on an exposed specimen.
15.8.2 Bias—No justifiable statement can be made on the
Normally, five exposure intervals make up the exposure
bias of this method for determining resistance to ultraviolet
program.
radiation since the true value of the property cannot be
15.2.3 For many applications of polyolefin monofilaments,
determined by an acceptable referee method.
a 100-h exposure interval is adequate. Longer exposure inter-
vals may be required.
16. Stability to Thermal Oxidation
15.3 Preparation of Specimens:
16.1 Summary of Test Method—Specimens of polyolefin
15.3.1 Mount at least four polyolefin monofilament seg-
monofilaments are exposed to a current of air in a mechanical-
mentsonaspecimenholder(theframe-typeaccessorysupplied
convection oven at elevated temperature, until failure occurs.
witheachexposureapparatus),tomakethemountedspecimen.
16.2 Significance and Use:
Use monofilaments long enough to be secured to both sides of
16.2.1 Underthesevereconditionsofthisaccelerated
...