ASTM D3981-95

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 3981 – 95
Standard Specification for
Polyethylene Films Made from Medium-Density Polyethylene
for General Use and Packaging Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3981; 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.
1. Scope may be described. The levels of physical properties required by
a film for a given application are selected from Section 6 and
1.1 This specification covers unpigmented, unsupported,
the corresponding tables. However, Sections 2-5 relating to
sheet or tubular, medium-density polyethylene films (here-after
tolerances shall apply without change to all film falling within
referred to as film or films) from resins having densities in the
3 3
the scope indicated by the title and 1.1-1.4.
range from 926.0 to 938.0 kg/m (0.926 to 0.938 g/cm ),
1.10 This specification covers dimensional tolerances, clas-
inclusive, as measured on molded plaques.
sification, intrinsic quality requirements, and test methods. The
1.2 This specification is applicable to homopolymer poly-
dimensional tolerances include thickness, width, and length or
ethylene but is not restricted to it.
yield. Classification defines types, classes, surfaces, and fin-
1.3 This specification is also applicable to films made from
ishes. The intrinsic quality requirements include density, work-
copolymer polyethylene commonly referred to in industry as
manship, impact strength, tensile strength, heat sealability, and
low-pressure polyethylene.
odor, as well as the classification properties for stiffness,
1.4 This specification is also applicable to films made from
coefficient of friction, optical properties, and surface treatment.
blends of homopolymers and copolymers, including ethylene/
A sampling method is included.
vinyl-acetate copolymers.
1.11 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
1.5 This specification allows for the use of recycled poly-
standard. The values in parentheses are given for information
ethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long
only.
as all the requirements of this specification are met and as long
1.12 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
as any specific requirements as governed by the producer and
test methods portion, Section 8, of this specification: This
end user are also met (see Note 1).
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
NOTE 1—Guide D 5033 contains terminology and definitions relating
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
to recycled plastics.
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
1.6 While much of the content of this specification may also
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
be applied to colored or pigmented films, special care must be
tions prior to use.
exercised. This specification does not address specific prob-
NOTE 2—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
lems associated with coloring, such as, quantity and quality of
pigment dispersion, optical properties, and increase in density.
2. Referenced Documents
These and other areas must be taken into account by mutual
2.1 ASTM Standards:
agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
1.7 The thickness of the films covered by this specification
Insulating Materials for Testing
range from 25 to 100 μm (0.001 to 0.004 in.), inclusive. The
D 882 Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
maximum width of the sheet or lay-flat is 3.05 m (120 in.).
Sheeting
1.8 This specification does not cover oriented heat-
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
shrinkable films.
D 1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance
1.9 This specification defines the levels of the various
of Transparent Plastics
physical properties from which specifications for specific films
D 1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
Extrusion Materials
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on
D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Densi-
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film and
tyGradient Technique
Sheeting.
D 1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Polyethyl-
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1995. Published December 1995. Originally
published as D 3981 – 81. Last previous edition D 3981 – 89.
ene Film by the Free Falling Dart Method
References to film density in the previous edition were replaced with references
to resin density and the separate sections on inspection and certification were revised
and combined in this edition. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 3981
D 1894 Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of 6. Physical Requirements
Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
6.1 Classification Properties:
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
6.1.1 Type—The 1 % secant modulus for all thicknesses of
D 2103 Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
film shall be as specified in Table 1 for Types 0, 1, 2, and 3.
D 2457 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastics Films
6.1.2 Surface—The kinetic coefficient of friction shall be as
D 2578 Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene
specified in Table 2 for Surfaces 0, 1, 2, and 3.
and Polypropylene Films
6.1.3 Class—The optical properties shall be as specified in
D 3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
Table 3 of Classes 0, 1, 2, and 3. The three optical properties
D 4321 Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
of clarity, gloss, and haze do not always correlate. The
D 5033 Guide for the Development of Standards Relating to
particular property of most importance for the specific appli-
the Proper Use of Recycled Plastics
cation shall be established and the value for this property shall
E 462 Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from
then govern, in case of any inconsistency.
Packaging Film
6.1.4 Finish—The surface treatment level of the film shall
F 88 Test Methods for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier
be as specified in Table 4 for Finishes 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Materials
6.2 Other Physical Properties:
6.2.1 Impact Resistance—Impact resistance of the film shall
NOTE 3—Relevant government regulations also apply to this specifica-
tion. be established by mutual agreement between the supplier and
NOTE 4—If this product is intended for packaging foods, medicines,
the purchaser if this property is required.
drugs, and cosmetics it is subject to applicable regulations of the Food and
NOTE 6—Dart-impact resistance of medium-density polyethylene films
Drug Administration or the Department of Agriculture and must comply
can be substantially less than that of low-density polyethylene films.
with such regulations. If it is necessary to comply with regulations of other
government agencies, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
6.2.2 Tensile Properties—The tensile strength and elonga-
Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, Federal
tion at break for all thicknesses shall be as specified in Table 5.
Trade Commission, etc., such compliance should be arranged between the
6.2.3 Heat Sealability—The minimum ratio of heat-seal
purchaser and the seller prior to placing an order.
strength to the film strength in the two principal directions shall
be as specified in Table 6.
3. Terminology
6.2.4 Odor—The odor level of the film shall average no
3.1 Unless otherwise indicated the terminology used in this
more than a 3.5 rating level.
specification is in accordance with definitions given in Termi-
nology D 883.
7. Dimensions
4. Classification
7.1 Size—The nominal thickness, width, length per roll or
4.1 The medium-density film is, by this specification, clas- roll diameter, and yield of the film shall be established by
sified by Types: 0, 1, 2, and 3; Surfaces: 0, 1, 2, and 3; Classes:
mutual agreement between the purchaser and the supplier.
0, 1, 2, and 3; and Finishes: 1, 2, 3, and 4. These classifications 7.2 Thickness Tolerance—The average thickness and the
are described in detail in 6.1.
thickness variation across the film shall be within the toler-
ances given in Table 7.
5. Materials
7.3 Width Tolerance—The width shall be within the toler-
5.1 The film shall be made from a homopolymer polyeth-
ances given in Table 8.
ylene, copolymer polyethylene (see Note 5), or blends of
7.4 Yield Tolerance—The deviation of the actual yield from
homopolymers or copolymers, or both, so that it meets the
nominal yield shall be within the tolerances given in Table 9.
density and other film requirements listed herein.
7.5 Flatness—The flatness of the film shall be within limits
as mutually agreed upon between the purchaser and the
NOTE 5—From a polyethylene, polyethylene plastic, or an ethylene
plastic as defined in Terminology D 883.
supplier.
5.2 The film shall be made from resins having a density
8. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
3 3
between 926.0 and 938.0 kg/m (0.926 and 0.938 g/cm ),
8.1 Film—The film shall have workmanship qualities con-
inclusive.
forming to good commercial practice. The quality of film with
5.3 The film shall be natural in color (essentially colorless)
regard to gels, streaks, pinholes, particles of foreign matter,
unless a color has been agreed upon between the supplier and
undispersed raw materials, holes, tears, and blisters shall be
the purchaser. If colored, the quality and uniformity of coloring
mutually established between the purchaser and the supplier.
shall be by agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.
8.2 Roll Formation:
Also, if added colorants or pigments are used in an amount
such that some film properties are affected, this should be taken
into account by mutual agreement between the supplier and the
TABLE 1 Classification for Type
purchaser.
Type 1 % Secant Modulus, MPa (psi)
0 170 (25 000) or less
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
1 >170 to 240 (25 000 to 35 000)
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03. 2 >240 to 345 (35 000 to 50 000)
...