ASTM D4635-95

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 4635 – 95 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Polyethylene Films Made from Low-Density Polyethylene for
General Use and Packaging Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4635; 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 sifications, intrinsic quality requirements, and test methods.
The dimensional tolerances include thickness, width, and
1.1 This specification covers unpigmented, unsupported,
length or yield. Classification defines types, classes, surfaces,
tubular, low-density polyethylene films (hereafter referred to as
and finishes. The intrinsic quality requirements include density,
film or films) from resins having densities ranging from 910.0
3 3
workmanship, tensile strength, heat sealability, and odor, as
to 925.0 kg/m (0.910 to 0.925 g/cm ), inclusive, as measured
well as the classification properties for impact strength, coef-
on molded plaques.
ficient of friction, optical properties, and surface treatment. A
NOTE 1—The density of a film will not necessarily be equal to the
sampling method is included.
density of a molded plaque from the same resin.
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
NOTE 2—Blends of ethylene/vinylacetate (EVA) with low-density poly-
3 standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
ethylene may have densities up to 0.929 g/cm .
only.
1.2 This specification is applicable to homopolymer poly-
1.9 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
ethylene, but is not restricted to it. It is applicable to films made
test methods portion, Section 10, of this specification: This
from copolymer polyethylene commonly referred to in industry
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
as low-pressure or linear low-density polyethylene, and also
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
applicable to films made from blends of homopolymers and
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
copolymers, including ethylene/vinylacetate copolymers.
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
1.3 The thickness of the films covered by this specification
tions prior to use.
is 100 μm or less (0.004 in. or less), inclusive. The maximum
NOTE 4—There is no similar or equialent ISO specification.
width of the sheet or layflat is 3.00 m (120 in.).
1.4 This specification does not cover oriented heat-
2. Referenced Documents
shrinkable films.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.5 This specification allows for the use of recycled poly-
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
ethylene film or resin as feedstock, in whole or in part, as long
Insulating Materials for Testing
as all of the requirements of this specification are met and as
D 882 Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
long as any specific requirements as governed by the producer
Sheeting
and end user are also met. (See Note 3.)
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
NOTE 3—Guide D 5033 describes terminology and definitions related
D 1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance
to recycled plastics.
of Transparent Plastics
1.6 This specification defines the levels of the various
D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
physical properties from which specifications for specific films
Gradient Technique
may be described. The levels of physical properties required by
D 1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
a film for a given application are selected from Section 6.
by the Free-Falling Dart Method
However, Sections 2-5 relating to tolerances shall apply
D 1894 Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of
without change to all film falling within the scope indicated by
Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
the title and 1.1-1.4.
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
1.7 This specification covers dimensional tolerances, clas-
D 1928 Practice for Preparation of Compression-Molded
Polyethylene Test Sheets and Test Specimens
D 2103 Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on
D 2457 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film and
Solid Plastics
Sheeting.
Current edition refers to resin density, not film density; it also has a revised
section for inspection and certification.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1995. Published February 1996. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
published as D 4635 – 86. Last previous edition D 4635 – 91. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4635
TABLE 1 Classification for Type
D 2578 Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene
A
and Polypropylene Films Film Thickness Drop Dart (g, min)
D 4321 Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
μm in. Type 1 Type 2 Type 3
D 5033 Guide for the Development of Standards Relating to
<25 not specified not specified not specified not specified
the Proper Use of Recycled Plastics
25 0.001 40 75 105
38 0.0015 65 105 140
E 462 Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from
50 0.002 85 135 175
Packaging Film
75 0.003 125 195 245
F 88 Test Methods for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier 100 0.004 165 255 315
A
Materials
Impact limits for thickness not covered in this table will be determined by linear
interpolation between successive values in this table.
NOTE 5—Relevant government regulations also apply to this specifica-
tion.
TABLE 2 Classification for Surface
NOTE 6—If this product is intended for packaging foods, medicines,
Surface Coefficient of Friction
drugs, and cosmetics, it is subject to applicable regulations of the Food
and Drug Administration or the Department of Agriculture and must
1 >0.5
comply with such regulations. If it is necessary to comply with regulations
2 >0.2 to 0.5
3 0.2 or less
of other government agencies, such as the Consumer Product Safety
Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transpor-
tation, Federal Trade Commission, or others, such compliance should be
arranged between the buyer and the seller prior to placing an order.
TABLE 3 Classification for Classes
Class Gloss Units Haze, %
3. Terminology
1 30 or less >25
3.1 Definitions—Unless otherwise indicated, the terminol-
2 >30 to 50 >10 to 25
ogy used in this specification is in accordance with Terminol- 3 >50 to 70 >5 to 10
4 >70 0to5
ogy D 883.
4. Classification
4.1 The low-density polyethylene film is, by this specifica- 6.1.4 Finish—The surface treatment level of the film shall
tion, classified by Types 1, 2, and 3; Surfaces 1, 2, and 3; be as specified in Table 4 for Finishes 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Classes 1, 2, 3, and 4; and Finishes 1, 2, 3, and 4. These 6.2 Other Properties:
classifications are described in detail in 6.1. 6.2.1 Tensile Properties—The tensile strength and elonga-
tion at break for all thicknesses shall be as specified in Table 5.
5. Materials
6.2.2 Heat Sealability—The minimum ratio of heat-seal
5.1 The film shall be made from an ethylene homopolymer,
strength to the film strength in the two principal directions shall
ethylene copolymers, or blends of homopolymers or copoly-
be as specified in Table 6.
mers, or homopolymer and copolymer, so that it meets the
6.2.3 Odor—The odor level of the film shall average no
density and other film requirements listed herein.
more than a 3.5 rating level.
5.2 The film shall be made from resins having densities
3 3
between 910.0 and 925.0 kg/m (0.910 and 0.925 g/cm ), 7. Dimensions
inclusive. This is the range of standard densities in the
7.1 Size—The nominal thickness, width, length per roll or
definition of low-density polyethylene (see Terminology
roll diameter, and yield of the film shall be established by
D 883). Standard density refers to the density of the material
mutual agreement between the purchaser and the supplier.
molded to a thickness of 1.9 mm (0.075 in.) using the
7.2 Thickness Tolerance—The thickness variation across
procedures of Method C of Practice D 1928 (see Note 1).
the film shall be within the tolerances given in Table 7.
5.3 The film shall be natural in color (essentially colorless).
7.3 Width Tolerance—The width shall be within the toler-
ances given in Table 8.
6. Physical Requirements
7.4 Yield Tolerance—The deviation of the actual yield from
6.1 Classification Properties:
nominal yield shall be within the tolerances given in Table 9.
6.1.1 Type—The dart drop impact for all thickness of film
7.5 Flatness—The flatness of the film shall be within limits
shall be as specified in Table 1 for Types 1, 2, and 3.
as mutually agreed upon between the buyer and the seller.
6.1.2 Surface—The kinetic coefficient of friction shall be as
7.6 Dimension tolerances for “J-Sheeting” lip and gusset
specified in Table 2 for Surfaces 1, 2, and 3.
depth shall be established by mutual agreement between the
6.1.3 Class—The optical properties shall be as specified in
purchaser and the supplier.
Table 3 for Classes 1, 2, and 3. The optical properties of gloss
and haze do not always correlate. The particular property of
TABLE 4 Classification for Finish
most importance for the specific application shall be estab-
Wetting Tension, mN/m
lished, and the value for this property shall then govern in case
Finish
(dynes/cm)
of any inconsistenc
...