ASTM D6392-23

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6392 − 12 (Reapproved 2018) D6392 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Integrity of Nonreinforced Geomembrane
Seams Produced Using Thermo-Fusion Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6392; 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 test method describes destructive quality control and quality assurance tests used to determine the integrity of
geomembrane seams produced by thermo-fusion methods. This test method presents the procedures used for determining the
quality of nonbituminous bonded seams subjected to both peel and shear tests. These test procedures are intended for nonreinforced
geomembranes only.
1.2 The types of thermal field seaming techniques used to construct geomembrane seams include the following:
1.2.1 Hot Air—This technique introduces high-temperature air or gas between two geomembrane surfaces to facilitate melting.
Pressure is applied to the top or bottom geomembrane, forcing together the two surfaces to form a continuous bond.
1.2.2 Hot Wedge (or Knife)—This technique melts the two geomembrane surfaces to be seamed by running a hot metal wedge
between them. Pressure is applied to the top or bottom geomembrane, or both, to form a continuous bond. Some seams of this kind
are made with dual bond tracks separated by a nonbonded gap. These seams are sometimes referred to as dual hot wedge seams
or double-track seams.
1.2.3 Extrusion—This technique encompasses extruding molten resin between two geomembranes or at the edge of two
overlapped geomembranes to effect a continuous bond.
1.3 The types of materials covered by this test method include the following:
1.3.1 Very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE).
1.3.2 Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).
1.3.3 Very flexible polyethylene (VFPE).
1.3.4 Linear medium-density polyethylene (LMDPE).
1.3.5 High-density polyethylene (HDPE).
1.3.6 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2018Nov. 1, 2023. Published February 2018November 2023. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20122018
as D6392 – 12.D6392 – 12 (2018). DOI: 10.1520/D6392-12R18.10.1520/D6392-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6392 − 23
1.3.7 Flexible polypropylene (fPP).
NOTE 1—The polyethylene identifiers presented in 1.3.1 – 1.3.5 describe the types of materials typically tested using this test method. These are
industry-accepted trade descriptions and are not technical material classifications based upon material density.
1.4 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.
1.5 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:
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D5199 Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness of Geosynthetics
D5994/D5994M Test Method for Measuring Core Thickness of Textured Geomembranes
2.2 EPA Standard:
EPA/600/2-88/052 Lining of Waste Containment and Other Containment Facilities, Appendix N—Locus of Break Codes for
Various Types of FML Seams
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 geomembrane, n—essentially impermeable geosynthetic composed of one or more synthetic sheets.
3.1.2 quality assurance, n—all planned and systematic actions necessary to provide adequate confidence that an item or a facility
will perform satisfactorily in service.
3.1.3 quality control, n—the operational techniques and the activities which sustain a quality of material, product, system, or
service that will satisfy given needs; also the use of such techniques and activities.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The use of geomembranes as barrier materials to restrict liquid migration from one location to another in soil and rock has
created a need for a standard test method to evaluate the quality of geomembrane seams produced by thermo-fusion methods. In
the case of geomembranes, it has become evident that geomembrane seams can exhibit separation in the field under certain
conditions. Although this is an index-type test method used for quality assurance and quality control purposes, it is also intended
to provide the quality assurance engineer with sufficient seam peel and shear data to evaluate seam quality. Recording and reporting
data, such as separation that occurs during the peel test and elongation during the shear test, will allow the quality assurance
engineer to take measures necessary to ensure the repair of inferior seams during facility construction, and therefore, minimize the
potential for seam separation in service.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Tensile instrumentation shall meet the requirements outlined in Test Method D638.
5.2 Grip Faces—Grip faces shall be 25 mm (1 in.) wide and a minimum of 25 mm (1 in.) in length. Smooth rubber, fine serrated,
or coarse serrated grip faces have all been found to be suitable for testing geomembrane seams.
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.
Available from the Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
D6392 − 23
6. Sample and Specimen Preparation
6.1 Seam Samples—Cut a portion of the fabricated seam sample from the installed liner in accordance with the project
specifications. It is recommended that the cutout sample be 0.3 m (1 ft) wide and 0.45 m (1.5 ft) in length with the seam centered
in the middle.
6.2 Specimen Preparation—Ten specimens shall be cut from the sample submittal. The specimens shall be die cut using a 25 mm
(nominal 1 in.) wide by a minimum of 150 mm (nominal 6 in.) long die. Specimens that will be subjected to peel and shear tests
shall be selected alternately from the sample and labeled as shown in Fig. 1. Specimens shall be cut such that the seam is
perpendicular to the longer dimension of the strip specimen.
6.3 Conditioning—Samples should be conditioned for 40 h in a standard laboratory environment that conforms to the requirements
for testing geosynthetics as stated in Terminology D4439. Long sample conditioning times typically are not possible for most
applications that require seam testing. Prior to testing, samples Samples should be conditioned for a minimum of 1 h at 23prior
to testing, as well as tested at 21 6 2 °C and a relative humidity between 50 and 70 %.
7. Destructive Test Methods
7.1 Peel Testing—Subject five specimens to the 90° “T-peel” test (see Fig. 2). If the tested sample is a dual hot wedge seam, five
specimens must be examined for each external track of the seam. Maintaining the specimen in a horizontal position throughout
the test is not required. Fully grip the test specimen across the width of the specimen. Grip the peel specimen by securing grips
25 mm (1 in.) on each side of the start of the seam bond, a constant machine crosshead speed of 50 mm (2 in.) ⁄min for HDPE,
LMDPE, and PVC, 500 mm (20 in.)/min for LLDPE, VLDPE, VFPE, and fPP. The test is complete when the specimen ruptures.
7.2 Shear Testing—Subject five specimens to the shear te
...