ASTM D4551-22

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: D4551 − 17 D4551 − 22 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Plastic Flexible Concealed Water-
Containment Membrane
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4551; 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 specification covers poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) flexible sheeting which is used without mastic, bedding, or coating for
construction of concealed water-containment-membranes in applications where there is potential for costly secondary damage from
water leakage and very long-term reliable performance is essential. Examples are fountains, pools, planters, shower and safe pans,
tile tubs, or similar wet installations where the membrane is inaccessible once the construction is complete. Included are
requirements for materials and sheeting, test methods, workmanship criteria, and methods of marking.
1.2 Recycled materials may be used in this product in accordance with the requirements in Section 5.
1.3 The tests are intended to ensure quality and performance and are not intended for design purposes. Tests have been selected
to be conducted primarily with liquids that simulate the environment to which the membrane will be subjected during actual use.
1.4 This specification does not cover water-containment membranes exposed to ultraviolet light.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.6 There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 11, of this specification: 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.
1.8 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:
D374/D374M Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insulation
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.24 on Plastic Building Products.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2017Sept. 1, 2022. Published January 2018September 2022. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20122017
as D4551 – 12.D4551 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D4551-17.10.1520/D4551-22.
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.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4551 − 22
D412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension
D543 Practices for Evaluating the Resistance of Plastics to Chemical Reagents
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1004 Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D1203 Test Methods for Volatile Loss from Plastics Using Activated Carbon Methods
D1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
D1243 Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Vinyl Chloride Polymers
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
E96/E96M Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
2.2 ANSI Standard:
Z 26.1 Safety Code for Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles Operating on Land Highways
2.3 Military Standard:
MIL-STD-105 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 General—Definitions are in accordance with For definitions of terms that appear in this specification relating to plastics, refer
to Terminology D883. For abbreviations that appear in this specification, refer to Terminology D1600, unless otherwise indicated.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 water-containment membrane—membrane, n—a non-porous membrane impervious to water and resistant to permeation by
water vapor to an extent that it provides a high degree of certainty that secondary damage from leakage shall not occur.
3.2.2 homogeneous sheeting—sheeting, n—sheeting that is of uniform composition throughout its thickness.
4. Classification
4.1 The sheeting will be subdivided by grades based on thickness:
4.1.1 Grade 30—0.03 in. (0.765(0.77 mm).
4.1.2 Grade 40—0.04 in. (1.02 mm).
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 This specification covers poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) water-containment membrane formulated from PVC materials meeting
the following requirements:
5.1.1 A PVC resin with an inherent viscosity (logarithmic viscosity number) of not less than 0.92 as determined by Test Method
D1243.
5.1.2 A PVC compound density of 1.26/1.29 g/cm .
5.2 Recycle materials, used in this product shall meet all the requirements in Sections 3, 5, 6, and 9.
5.3 The use of water-soluble compounding ingredients shall be prohibited.
5.4 Plasticizers that are resistant to migration, mildew, and bacterial degradation shall be used.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
D4551 − 22
6. Physical Properties
6.1 The sheeting shall conform to the physical requirements prescribed in Section 9 (Table 1) and Section 1615 (Table 2).
6.2 Sheeting shall be compounded so that bonds between sheets used in fabrication of large water-containment membranes can
be accomplished in the field without reducing the overall resistance of the membrane to permeation or leakage or significantly
reducing the sheeting’s physical strength. The manufacturer shall specify recommended bonding procedures in its product
literature.
6.3 The sheeting shall be monolithic and homogeneous.
7. Dimensions
7.1 Minimum thickness of Grade 30 sheeting shall be 0.03 in. (0.765 mm) and minimum thickness of Grade 40 sheeting shall be
0.04 in. (1.02 mm).
8. Workmanship
8.1 If not monitored continuously, a minimum of every hour production shall be sampled and The sheet shall be inspected for
appearance, thickness, width, and workmanship. The material shall be free of pin holes, foreign inclusions, undispersed materials,
or other defects that could affect serviceability.
9. Qualification Tests
9.1 The PVC sheeting shall pass all the qualification tests prescribed in Section 1111 and Table 1.
9.1.1 Any modification of this compound shall require that the sheeting be retested for conformance to this specification. In
addition, retesting shall be done every 3 years whether the compound has been modified or not to assess cumulative effects of
switching suppliers, grades of raw materials, or processing changes.
10. Sampling
10.1 Test specimens shall be selected at random from production stock. In each roll selected, units comprising the required number
of specimens shall be taken from a portion not including the first or last foot of the roll or portions within 6 in. of the edge of the
roll.
11. Test Methods
11.1 Thickness—Test five specimens obtained from locations equidistant across the width of the sheet in accordance with Method
C of Test Methods D374/D374M. Report thickness of each specimen and location in sheet.
TABLE 1 Qualification Tests
Property Unit Specification
Grade 30 Grade 40
Thickness in. (mm) 0.030 (0.765), min 0.040 (1.02), min
Tensile strength lbf/in. (kN/m) of width 60 (10.45), min 80 (14.05), min
Tensile stress at 100 % elongation lbf/in. (kN/m) of width 30 (5.23), min 40 (7.03), min
Elongation at break % 300, min 300, min
Tear resistance lbf/in. (kN/m) of width 185 (32.5), min 250 (43.7), min
Pinholes number none none
Micro-organism resistance specimen, pass/fail 12 of 12 pass 12 of 12 pass
Puncture resistance specimen, pass/fail 6 of 6 pass 6 of 6 pass
Indentation resistance specimen, pass/fail 3 of 3 pass 3 of 3 pass
Folding resistance specimen, pass/fail 3 of 3 pass 3 of 3 pass
Chemical resistance
Distilled H O % weight change +1 %, max +1 %, max
Soapy H O % weight change +2 %, max +2 %, max
Alkali specimen, pass/fail 3 of 3 pass 3 of 3 pass
Hydrostatic pressure test specimen, pass/fail 3 of 3 pass 3 of 3 pass
Shrinkage % original 5 %, max 5 %, max
Volatile loss at 158°F % loss 1.5 max 1.5 max
D4551 − 22
TABLE 2 Quality Assurance Requirements
Property Unit Specification Specification
Grade 30 Grade 40
Thickness in. (mm) 0.030 (0.765), min 0.040 (1.02), min
Pinholes number none none
Shrinkage at 158°F % of original 5 %, max 5 %, max
Width in. (cm) +0.5 (1.27), −0.0 +0.5 (1.27), −0.0
11.2 Stress-Strain Properties—Determine tensile stress at 100 % elongation (modulus), tensile strength, and ultimate elongation
in accordance with Method A of Test Methods D412, using a dumbbell specimen (Die C). Report physical properties as the average
value from testing of 6 specimens.
11.3 Pinholes—Examine sheeting for pinholes by viewing the surface of the sheeting while held under slight-hand tension.
Position a bright light source behind the film so as to clearly illuminate the surface without producing glare in the observer’s eyes.
A pinhole is defined as any opening observed in the sheet under the conditions specified. Examine a 12-in. (305-mm) strip from
the entire width of the sheet and report the presence or absence of pinholes.
11.4 Resistance to Chemical Reagents—Conduct this test in accordance with Test Method D543, Procedure 1.
11.4.1 Weigh loss after immersion in distilled water at 120°F (49°C) for 24 h.
11.4.2 Weigh loss after immersion in a 1 % soapy water solution at 120°F (49°C) for 24 h.
11.4.3 Alkali Resistance Test—This test indicates the effect of hot alkali solutions on the plastic membrane materials.
11.4.3.1 Specimens—Each test unit shall consist of three specimens of flat material 3 by 3 in. (76 by 76 mm) selected in accordance
with 12.1.
11.4.3.2 Procedure—Make a solution by dissolving 5.0 g of reagent-grade sodium hydroxide and 5.0 g of reagent-grade potassium
hydroxide in 1 L of distilled water in a beaker. The solution shall be maintained at a temperature of 150°F (66°C).
11.4.3.3 Immerse each specimen in its own individual beaker of solution in accordance with 11.4.3.2. Immerse the specimen for
72 h, and completely change the solution every 24 h. Before immersion of a specimen in the new solution, the solution shall be
at a temperature of 150°F (66°C).
11.4.3.4 Test each specimen for waterproofness in accordance with 11.8 for hydrostatic pressure test.
11.5 Microorganism Resistance Test—Determine the resistance of PVC membrane to mold growth in accordance with Annex A1.
11.6 Strength and Toughness Tests:
11.6.1 Puncture Resistance Test—Determine the resistance of the material to mechanical damage which might occur during the
installation of the water-containment membrane in accordance with the procedure described in Annex A2.
11.6.2 Indentational Resistance Test—Determine the ability of the material to withstand nail-head indentation without impairing
waterproofness. Conduct the test in accordance with the procedure detailed in Annex A3.
11.6.3 Folding Resistance Test—Determine the ability of the material to withstand corner folding without impairing waterproof-
ness in accordance with the procedure outlined in Annex A4.
11.7 Shrinkage—Test for 1 h at 158°F (70°C) in accordance with Test Method D1204.
11.8 Hydrostatic Pressure Test—Determine the ability of plastic membrane material to withstand water pressure without leaking
in accordance with the test procedure in Annex A5.
D4551 − 22
11.9 Tear Resistance—Determine the average value for six specimens in accordance with Test Method D1004.
11.10 Volatile Loss—Determine volatile loss in accordance with Test Methods D1203, Method A, at 158°F (70°C) with grade AC
(A. ⁄14 mesh) activated carbon. Test specimens shall be nominal thickness sheeting.
NOTE 1—Requirement for Water—Vapor Transmission of Materials in Sheet Form (Procedure E of Test Methods E96/E96M) has been deleted until the
test method is improved to the extent that it can be reproducibly run by commercial laboratories.
12. Conditioning
12.1 Condition all qualification test specimens at 73 6 4°F (23 6 2°C) and 50 6 10 % relative humidity for not less than 40 h
prior to testing, in accordance with Method A of Methods D618.
12.2 In-plant quality control specimens shall be conditioned at 73 6 4°F (23 6 2°C) for 2 h in air.
13. Certification
13.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, the manufacturer’s or the supplier’s certification shall be furnished to the
purchaser stating that samples representing each lot have been manufactured, tested, and inspected in accordance with this
specification and the requirements have been met. When specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of the test results shall
be furnished.
13. Product Marking
13.1 Material complying with this specification shall be continuously marked and shall include the following spaced out at
intervals of not more than 2 ft (610 mm).
13.1.1 Manufacturer’s name (or brand name or trademark).
13.1.2 Material designation.
13.1.3 Designation, Grade 30 or Grade 40, with which the sheet complies.
13.1.4 Designation, “ASTM D4551”, with which the sheet complies.
13.1.5 The production code shall be included inside the core of all shipping units.
14. Packaging and Package Marking
14.1 The material shall be rolled on a substantial core and packaged in standard commercial containers, so constructed as to ensure
acceptance by common or other carriers for safe transportation to the point of delivery, unless otherwise specified in the contract
or order. delivery.
15.2 Shipping containers shall be marked as agreed upon between the purchaser and the seller.
15.3 Packaging provisions for government/military procurement.
14.2 All packing, packaging, and marking provisions of Practice D3892 shall apply to this specification.
15. Quality Assurance
15.1 Sheeting manufactured from compound qualified by Section 9 shall pass the quality assurance and control requirements
prescribed in Table 2.
16.1.1 In addition to the in-plant quality control inspections specified in Section 8, at least annually samples shall be tested and
certified as complying with the requirements of Table 2.
D4551 − 22
15.2 If the results of any tests do not conform to the requirements of this specification, retesting to determine conformity may be
performed as agreed upon between the purchaser and the seller. shall be performed.
16. Keywords
16.1 flexible sheeting; fountains; planters; pools; poly(vinyl chloride); PVC; recycle usage; shower and
...