ASTM D6392-99

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Designation:D6392–99
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Integrity of Nonreinforced Geomembrane
Seams Produced Using Thermo-Fusion Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6392; 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 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method describes destructive quality control
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and quality assurance tests used to determine the integrity of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
geomembrane seams produced by thermo-fusion methods.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
This test method presents the procedures used for determining
the quality of nonbituminous bonded seams subjected to both
2. Referenced Documents
peel and shear tests. These test procedures are intended for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
nonreinforced geomembranes only.
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
1.2 The types of thermal field seaming techniques used to
D 882 Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
construct geomembrane seams include the following.
Sheeting
1.2.1 Hot Air—This technique introduces high-temperature
D 4439 Terminology for Geotextiles
air or gas between two geomembrane surfaces to facilitate
D 5199 Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness
melting.Pressureisappliedtothetoporbottomgeomembrane,
of Geotextiles and Geomembranes
forcing together the two surfaces to form a continuous bond.
D 5994 Test Method for Measuring the Core Thickness of
1.2.2 Hot Wedge (or Knife)—This technique melts the two
Textured Geomembranes
geomembrane surfaces to be seamed by running a hot metal
2.2 EPA Standards:
wedge between them. Pressure is applied to the top or bottom
EPA/600/2-88/052 Lining of Waste Containment and Other
geomembrane, or both, to form a continuous bond. Some
ContainmentFacilities;AppendixN,Locusofbreakcodes
seams of this kind are made with dual bond tracks separated by
for various types of FML seams
a nonbonded gap. These seams are sometimes referred to as
dual hot wedge seams or double-track seams.
3. Terminology
1.2.3 Extrusion—This technique encompasses extruding
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
molten resin between two geomembranes or at the edge of two
3.1.1 geomembrane, n—qn essentially impermeable geo-
overlapped geomembranes to effect a continuous bond.
synthetic composed of one or more synthetic sheets.
1.3 The types of materials covered by this test method
3.1.2 quality assurance, n—all planned and systematic ac-
include the following.
tions necessary to provide adequate confidence that an item or
1.3.1 Very Low Density Polyethylene (VLDPE).
a facility will perform satisfactorily in service.
1.3.2 Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE).
3.1.3 quality control, n—the operational techniques and the
1.3.3 Very Flexible Polyethylene (VFPE).
activities, which sustain a quality of material, product, system,
1.3.4 Linear Medium Density Polyethylene (LMDPE).
or service that will satisfy given needs; also the use of such
1.3.5 High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
techniques and activities.
1.3.6 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
1.3.7 Flexible Polypropylene (fPP).
4. Significance and Use
NOTE 1—The polyethylene identifiers presented in 1.3.1-1.3.5 describe
4.1 The use of geomembranes as barrier materials to restrict
the types of materials typically tested using this test method. These are
liquid migration from one location to another in soil and rock
industry accepted trade descriptions and are not technical material
has created a need for a standard test method to evaluate the
classifications based upon material density.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
GeosyntheticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD35.10onGeomem- Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.13.
branes. Available from the Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing
Current edition approved April 10, 1999. Published July 1999. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6392–99
quality of geomembrane seams produced by thermo-fusion requirementsfortestinggeosyntheticsasstatedinTerminology
methods. In the case of geomembranes, it has become evident D 4439. Long sample conditioning times typically are not
that geomembrane seams can exhibit separation in the field possible for most applications that require seam testing. Prior
under certain conditions. Although this is an index type test to testing, samples should be conditioned for a minimum of 1
method used for quality assurance and quality control pur- hat23 6 2°C and a relative humidity between 50 and 70 %.
poses, it is also intended to provide the quality assurance
engineer with sufficient seam peel and shear data to evaluate
7. Destructive Test Methods
seam quality. Recording and reporting data, such as separation
7.1 Peel Testing—Subject five specimens to the 90° “T-
that occurs during the peel test and elongation during the shear
Peel” test (see Fig. 2). If the tested sample is a dual hot wedge
test, will allow the quality assurance engineer to take measures
seam, five specimens must be examined for each external track
necessary to ensure the repair of inferior seams during facility
of the seam. Maintaining the specimen in a horizontal position
construction, and therefore, minimize the potential for seam
throughout the test is not required. Fully grip the test specimen
separation in service.
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
5. Apparatus
seam bond, a constant machine cross head speed of 50 mm (2
5.1 Tensile instrumentation shall meet the requirements
in.)/min for HDPE, LMDPE, and PVC, 500 mm (20 in.)/min
outlined in Test Method D 638.
for LLDPE, VLDPE, VFPE, and fPP. The test is complete
5.2 Grip Faces—Grip faces shall be 25 mm (1 in.) wide and
when the specimen ruptures.
a minimum of 25 mm (1 in.) in length. Smooth rubber, fine
7.2 Shear Testing—Subject five specimens to the shear test
serrated or coarse serrated grip faces have all been found to be
(see Fig. 2). Fully support the test specimen within the grips
suitable for testing geomembrane seams.
across the width of the specimen. Secure the grips 25 mm (1
in.) on each side of the start of the seam bond, a constant
6. Sample and Specimen Preparation
mach
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