SIST EN 17098-1:2025

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2025
Polimerni materiali - Zaščitne folije za razkuževanje kmetijske in vrtnarske zemlje z
zaplinjevanjem - 1. del: Specifikacije za zaščitne folije
Plastics - Barrier films for agricultural and horticultural soil disinfection by fumigation -
Part 1: Specifications for barrier films
Kunststoffe - Sperrschichtfolien für die Desinfektion durch Begasung von
Landwirtschafts- und Gartenbauböden - Teil 1: Spezifikationen für Sperrschichtfolien
Plastiques - Films barrière pour la désinfection par fumigation des sols agricoles et
horticoles - Partie 1: Spécifications des films barrière
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 17098-1:2025
ICS:
65.060.99 Drugi kmetijski stroji in Other agricultural machines
oprema and equipment
83.140.10 Filmi in folije Films and sheets
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 17098-1
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
August 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 83.140.10 Supersedes EN 17098-1:2018
English Version
Plastics - Barrier films for agricultural and horticultural
soil disinfection by fumigation - Part 1: Specifications for
barrier films
Plastiques - Films barrière pour la désinfection par Kunststoffe - Sperrschichtfolien für die Desinfektion
fumigation des sols agricoles et horticoles - Partie 1 : durch Begasung von Landwirtschafts- und
Spécifications des films barrière Gartenbauböden - Teil 1: Spezifikationen für
Sperrschichtfolien
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 June 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 17098-1:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Classification of films by service life . 9
5 Material and permeability to fumigants . 9
5.1 General. 9
5.2 Determination of the film permeability . 10
5.3 Recyclability and recycled content . 10
6 Requirements . 11
6.1 General requirements . 11
6.2 Requirement for appearance . 12
6.3 Optional characteristics . 12
7 Test methods . 12
7.1 Determination of the thickness . 12
7.2 Determination of the width . 12
7.3 Determination of the roll length . 13
7.4 Determining tensile properties . 13
7.5 Determination of the weathering resistance (for class 2 films only) . 13
7.5.1 Principle . 13
7.5.2 Exposure method . 14
7.5.3 Procedure . 14
7.5.4 Calculation and expression of results . 14
7.6 Determination of the peel strength . 14
7.6.1 General. 14
7.6.2 Principle . 14
7.6.3 Apparatus . 14
7.6.4 Specimens . 15
7.6.5 Procedure . 15
7.6.6 Expression of results . 16
7.6.7 Precision . 17
7.6.8 Test report . 17
7.7 Determining impact resistance . 17
7.7.1 General. 17
7.7.2 Impact test on flat area . 17
7.7.3 Impact test on fold area . 17
7.8 Determining relative light transmission . 18
7.8.1 Principle . 18
7.8.2 Apparatus . 18
7.8.3 Procedure . 18
7.8.4 Expression of results . 19
8 Roll acceptance, storage and handling. 19
8.1 Delivery checking . 19
8.2 Storage and handling of rolls. 19
9 Designation of barrier films. 19
10 Marking . 20
10.1 General . 20
10.2 Marking of the film . 20
10.3 Marking on the packaging or label . 21
11 Installation instructions and conditions for use . 22
12 Design for recycling of barrier films used for fumigation . 22
13 Removal and collection instructions of used barrier films . 23
Annex A (informative) Exposure to other light sources . 24
Annex B (informative) Determination of the puncture resistance . 27
Bibliography . 30

European foreword
This document (EN 17098-1:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”,
the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by February 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by February 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document will supersede EN 17098-1:2018.
— Clause 8 on the design-for-recycling of end of life of barrier films has been added;
— Clause 10 on removal and collection instructions of used barrier films has been modified, referring to
EN 18109 for additional information;
— in Clause 11 on removal and collection instructions of used barrier films, the reference to Annex C
has been deleted, referring to EN 18109 for additional information;
— Annex A modified;
— Annex C on guidance for conditions for installation, use and removal of barrier films, has been deleted
This document (EN 17098-1:2025) has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN
by the European Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these
requests for its Member States.
EN 17098, Plastics — Barrier films for agricultural and horticultural soil disinfection by fumigation,
consists of the following parts:
— Part 1: Specifications for barrier films
— Part 2: Method for determining film permeability using a static technique
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
Use of barrier films designed for agricultural and horticultural soil disinfection by means of fumigation
has the main objectives of protecting operators and personnel during and after the fumigation operation,
limiting the consumption of harmful substances and safeguarding the environment.
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements relating to the dimensional, mechanical and physical-chemical
characteristics of thermoplastic barrier films designed for agricultural and horticultural soil disinfection
by means of fumigation.
This document specifies also the test methods for verifying these requirements, except the method for
determining film permeability using a static technique, which is specified in EN 17098-2.
This document defines the criteria for design for recycling of barrier films and refer to EN 18109 for the
product lifecycle, including installation, use, removal and collection for end of life for management of the
product after its usage.
This document is applicable to films used during soil disinfection by fumigation (class 1), and to films
used during soil disinfection subsequently kept in situ as mulch films (class 2).
On the date of publication of this document, the barrier films are multi-layer films.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 17098-2, Plastics — Barrier films for agricultural and horticultural soil disinfection by fumigation —
Part 2: Method for film permeability determination using a static technique
EN 18109:2025, Plastics — Agricultural plastic products — Installation, use, removal, sorting, collection,
preparation for recycling and design for recycling guidelines
EN ISO 291, Plastics — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing (ISO 291)
EN ISO 527-1, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 1: General principles (ISO 527-1)
EN ISO 527-3, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 3: Test conditions for films and sheets
(ISO 527-3)
EN ISO 1133-1, Plastics — Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate
(MVR) of thermoplastics — Part 1: Standard method (ISO 1133-1)
EN ISO 4892-2, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps
(ISO 4892-2)
EN ISO 7765-1, Plastics film and sheeting — Determination of impact resistance by the free-falling dart
method — Part 1: Staircase methods (ISO 7765-1)
ISO 4591, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of average thickness of a sample, and average
thickness and yield of a roll, by gravimetric techniques (gravimetric thickness)
ISO 4592, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of length and width
ISO 4593, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of thickness by mechanical scanning
ISO 22095:2020, Chain of custody — General terminology and models
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
barrier film
plastic film designed to have low permeability to gas, intended for soil disinfection by fumigation
3.2
permeability
ability of a material to transmit gases and liquids by passage through one surface and out at another
surface by diffusion and sorption processes
[SOURCE: EN ISO 472:2013 [1], 2.690]
3.3
width
total film width once laid flat
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in millimetres, mm.
3.4
nominal width
film width, as declared by the manufacturer/supplier
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in millimetres, mm.
3.5
nominal thickness
film thickness, as declared by the manufacturer/supplier
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in micrometres, μm.
3.6
roll length
longest dimension of the film, corresponding to the length of the un-winded roll
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in metres, m.
3.7
nominal roll length
roll length, as declared by the manufacturer/supplier
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in metres, m.
3.8
longitudinal direction
MD
direction parallel to the roll length corresponding to the extrusion direction
3.9
transverse direction
TD
direction parallel to the film width, at right angle to the length
3.10
design for recycling
design of product, including the related accessories, in order to ensure its recyclability under the current
practices of removal, sorting, collection and recycling systems
Note 1 to entry: The purpose of the design for recycling criteria is to be able to use the recyclates back in the same
product, independent of producer of material.
[SOURCE: EN 18109:2025, 3.1.13, modified without DFR]
3.11
mechanical recycling
processing of plastic waste into secondary raw materials or products without significantly changing the
chemical structure of the material
Note 1 to entry: Plastic secondary raw material is a synonym of recyclate.
[SOURCE: EN ISO 472:2013 [1], 2.1697, modified — Note 1 to entry changed; “plastics waste” changed to
read “plastic waste”]
3.12
post-consumer plastics
plastics, generated by the end-users of products, that has fulfilled its intended purpose and can no longer
be used for its intended purpose (including plastics returned from within the distribution chain)
Note 1 to entry: The term “post-use” is sometimes used synonymously.
Note 2 to entry: Often abbreviated as PCR.
3.13
pre-consumer plastics
plastics diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process
Note 1 to entry: Excluded is reutilization of materials such as rework, regrind or scrap generated in a process and
capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it.
3.14
recycled content
proportion, by mass, of recycled plastic in a product or packaging
Note 1 to entry: Only pre-consumer and post-consumer materials shall be considered as recycled content,
consistent with the following usage of terms.
[SOURCE: EN 17615:2022 [2] 3.210, modified; “weight” changed to “mass”]
3.15
controlled blending model
chain of custody model in which materials or products with a set of specified characteristics are mixed
according to certain criteria with materials or products without that set of characteristics resulting in a
known proportion of the specified characteristics in the final output
Note 1 to entry: The adhered claim may refer to a certain percentage, at batch-level and /or site-level.
[SOURCE: ISO 22095:2020, 3.3.3]
3.16
national collection scheme
NCS
voluntary or mandatory national collection system of defined plastic fractions used in agriculture or
horticulture applications
4 Classification of films by service life
Barrier films are classified under two classes, depending on their service life:
— Class 1: films providing a protective function only. They are held in place during the fumigation
operation and then withdrawn before planting.
— Class 2: films providing protection and mulch functions. They are held in place during the fumigation
operation, and then kept in place as mulch films.
5 Material and permeability to fumigants
5.1 General
This document is based on a synthesis of the published studies about film permeability to the fumigants,
conducted by CEN/TC 249/WG 7. These studies were all carried out in the USA with major films on the
market, described as:
— PE films made from polyethylene (PE) materials, exclusively;
NOTE In these studies, PE films were used as blank films and they are not in the scope of this document.
— virtually impermeable films (VIFs) containing polyamide (PA) materials as barrier layer;
— totally impermeable films (TIFs) containing ethylene-(vinyl alcohol) plastic (EVOH) materials as
barrier layer.
The key criteria in these studies were the following:
a) the influence of the temperature;
b) the influence of the relative humidity;
c) the influence of the fumigant.
Considering the results of these studies, the conclusions of the CEN/TC 249/WG 7 were the following:
d) the film permeability increases with the temperature (from 20 °C to 35 °C) for every film and every
tested fumigant but without a highly significant difference. The most common temperature, 25 °C, is
therefore considered to be acceptable and has been selected as the standard test temperature (see
Conditions 1 and 2 in 5.2);
e) the film permeability increases with the relative humidity (from 35 % to 100 %) for every film and
every tested fumigant with highly significant differences particularly for VIFs. The relative humidity
in the range of 90 % RH to 100 % RH is the worst case. This range of relative humidity, similar to that
measured in situ in drip applications, has been selected as the standard relative humidity (see
Condition 1 in 5.2).
Considering that fumigant could be applied also by shank application without water a second standard
relative humidity of (50 ± 10) % RH has been considered as acceptable for films to be used exclusively in
shank application without water (see Condition 2 in 5.2);
f) the film permeability varies significantly depending on the fumigants. In these conditions the choice
of a fumigant for the test is under the responsibility of the applicant and the film permeability
threshold remains under the responsibility of the holder of the authorization for placing the fumigant
on the market.
Information related to the influence of temperature and relative humidity on the film permeability to soil
fumigants is given in the bibliography [3] and [4].
5.2 Determination of the film permeability
The permeability of the film to fumigant(s) shall be determined according to EN 17098-2.
Unless otherwise specified, the permeability of the film to fumigant(s) shall be determined in at least one
of the following test conditions in the transmission cell:
— Condition 1: Test temperature: (25 ± 2) °C and (95 ± 5) % RH;
NOTE 1 Condition 1 is corresponding to environment conditions with the addition of water (e.g. in drip
application).
— Condition 2: Test temperature: (25 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 10) % RH.
NOTE 2 Condition 2 is corresponding to environment conditions without the addition of water (e.g. in shank
application).
— Condition 2 shall be used only for shank application.
NOTE 3 Even by injection of the fumigant by means of coulters without the addition of water, quickly the
humidity of soil condensates under the film which causes formation of droplets.
When the performance of a film to fumigant permeation is declared, the test conditions (Condition 1 or
condition 2 or both) and the type(s) of fumigant(s) shall be declared as well.
NOTE 4 Studies are in progress to specify the maximum threshold(s) depending on the type and approval
threshold(s) of the fumigant(s) set by regulation.
5.3 Recyclability and recycled content
The product shall be suitable for mechanical recycling as a PE fraction, according to the design for
recycling specify in Clause 12.
Recycled content in the film shall be verified with ratio of post-consumer plastic recyclates and/or pre-
consumer plastic recyclates following a controlled blending model according to ISO 22095.
6 Requirements
6.1 General requirements
When tested in accordance with the test methods specified in Table 1, the barrier film shall have the
characteristics conforming to the requirements stated in Table 1.
Table 1 — Requirements for barrier films
Requirements
Test
Characteristics Unit
method
Class 1 Class 2
Appearance Shall conform to 6.2 6.2
Dimensional characteristics
Tolerance of average thickness/nominal thickness % ±5 ±5 7.1
a
Tolerance of single point thickness/nominal thickness % - 15, + 25 - 15, + 25 7.1
Max. Tolerance of single point
% +100 7.1
thickness/nominal thickness at gel
Width tolerance/nominal width % ±2 ±2 7.2
Tolerance roll length/nominal length % −1 −1 7.3
Mechanical characteristics on unexposed film
Tensile stress at yield point (MD and TD) MPa No requirement ≥ 9,5 7.4
Tensile stress at break (MD, TD) MPa ≥ 25 ≥ 25 7.4
Tensile strain at break (MD, TD) % ≥ 350 ≥ 350 7.4
c
≥ 1 510
Weathering resistance
(0.51W/m )
h No requirement 7.5
c
≥ 2 160
b
Exposure time (xenon arc lamps)
(0.35W/m )
d
Peel strength
N ≥ 6 ≥ 6 7.6
(per 15 mm specimen width)
Impact resistance  7.7
On flatwise film g 100 100
e
On folds (if any) g 50
Optical characteristic on unexposed film
Relative light transmission IR
— No requirement ≤ 10−2 7.8
(only for opaque black films)
a
Measurement shall be performed outside of any defects, e.g. gel from recycling material.
b
Other light sources may be used provided that a correlation between the test results obtained with these light
sources and these obtained after a natural exposure can be demonstrated. Details of these methods are given in
Annex A (informative). In case of dispute, the exposure to xenon-arc lamps according to 7.5 shall be used.
c
For black coloured films, weather resistance corresponds to an exposure of one year after being installed in a
2 2
climatic zone corresponding to a global solar radiant exposure of 4,2 GJ/m /year to 5,4 GJ/m /year (100 kLy/year
to 130 kLy/year) (data from EN 13655 [5]). For films intended to be exposed during longer durations and/or in
more severe conditions, the minimum duration of exposure to artificial weathering shall be defined by agreement
between the manufacturer/supplier and the customer.
Requirements
Test
Characteristics Unit
method
Class 1 Class 2
d
The peel strength may also be determined by a peel test according to EN ISO 2411 [6], subject to an agreement
between the parties. The corresponding requirement shall also be defined by agreement between the parties.
e
Class 2 barrier films are generally supplied without folds.
For barrier films to be joined together by gluing in situ, the method to assess bondability and the
corresponding requirement shall be defined by agreement between the parties.
The glue/adhesive shall not cause any alteration of the barrier performance of the film. A special attention
should be given when using glue/adhesive with solvent.
A hot-melt adhesive and thermal welding can be also used for jointing barrier films.
6.2 Requirement for appearance
The free edges of the roll shall be sealed with adhesive tape or by some other similar means, in order to
prevent its unwinding.
The edges shall be properly in line and there shall be sufficient tension to prevent the layers of the roll
from transverse slipping when it is handled.
The film shall be homogeneous and free from visible defects which may affect the fitness for purpose of
the film; check by unrolling at least 2 m of the film and examining it against the light holding it tight at
arm's length.
6.3 Optional characteristics
Optional characteristics and the corresponding test methods are given in Table 2.
Table 2 — Optional characteristics
Characteristics Test method
Tear resistance (MD, TD) EN ISO 6383-2 [7] (Elmendorf tear test)
Annex B (penetration test)
Puncture resistance or
ASTM D3420-14 [8] (Spencer impact test)
Where required, the corresponding requirement(s) is(are) defined by agreement between the
manufacturer/supplier and the customer.
7 Test methods
7.1 Determination of the thickness
The thickness of single points of the film shall be determined in accordance with ISO 4593. The average
thickness of the film shall be determined in accordance with ISO 4591 or ISO 4593. Testing shall be
performed using one strip of film cut in transverse direction of the roll (TD).
7.2 Determination of the width
The width of the film shall be determined in accordance with ISO 4592.
7.3 Determination of the roll length
The roll length shall be determined by unwinding the roll by means of a calibrated reel in contact
continuously with its outside surface (see Figure 1). The calibrated reel is connected to a revolution
counter. The diameter of the calibrated reel shall be measured with an accuracy of ±0,2 %. The roll shall
be totally unwound at a speed of 100 m/min ± 10 m/min.
The value of the roll length is calculated by using Formula (1):
ln=⋅π⋅ d
(1)
where
l is the value of the roll length, expressed in metres (m);
n is the number of revolutions of the calibrated reel during the total unwinding of the roll;
d is the diameter of the calibrated reel, expressed in metres (m).

Key
1 film roll
2 calibrated reel with a revolution counter
3 collection reel
4 deflection reel
d diameter of the calibrated reel
Figure 1 — Apparatus for the determination of the roll length
7.4 Determining tensile properties
Determine the tensile characteristics in accordance with EN ISO 527-1 and EN ISO 527-3, on five type 2
specimens, 10 mm wide, cut in each direction of the film, longitudinal direction (MD) and transverse
direction (TD), at a test speed of 500 mm/min.
Calculate the arithmetic mean value of the five measurements for each film direction.
7.5 Determination of the weathering resistance (for class 2 films only)
7.5.1 Principle
The variation of the tensile strain at break of specimens is determined before and after an exposure to
xenon-arc lamps.
7.5.2 Exposure method
Carry out the artificial weathering according to EN ISO 4892-2, using one of the test conditions given in
Table 1, using the test conditions specified in Table 3.
Table 3 — Exposure cycle and test conditions
Irradiance
Black-
Chamber Relative
standard
Exposure
Broadband Narrowband
Temperature humidity
Temperature
conditions
(300 nm to 400 nm) (340 nm)
°C %
°C
2 2
W/m W/(m⋅nm)
102 min dry 60 ± 2 0,51 ± 0,02 65 ± 3 38 ± 3 50 ± 5
18 min water spray 60 ± 2 0,51 ± 0,02 — — —
7.5.3 Procedure
Expose the specimens according to 7.5.2 during the minimum duration of exposure specified in Table 1.
After the exposure, determine the tensile strain at break according to EN ISO 527-1 and EN ISO 527-3,
using five type 2 test pieces, 10 mm wide, 150 mm long, taken longitudinally in the film (MD), at a test
speed of 500 mm/min.
7.5.4 Calculation and expression of results
Calculate the arithmetic mean value of the five measurements performed on the test pieces cut from the
exposed specimens and the arithmetic mean value of the five measurements performed on the test pieces
cut from the unexposed specimens in longitudinal direction (MD) (see 7.4). Compare these two values.
The test is considered successful when the value calculated for specimens exposed to artificial weathering
is equal or greater than 50 % of the value calculated for unexposed specimens.
7.6 Determination of the peel strength
7.6.1 General
The peel strength reflects the energy required to delaminate a multi-layer film under given conditions.
Measuring does not involve only interfacial mechanisms, but also some plasticity mechanisms occurring
in the various layers of the film, and possibly speed sensitive. That is why peel strength is to be considered
as a property of the film as a whole, rather than a mere interfacial property.
The present method is based on the T-peeling test described in EN ISO 11339 [9].
7.6.2 Principle
First, a delamination is initiated on the interface to be characterized. Then tensile force is applied to the
delaminated parts at a constant rate, so that separation occurs progressively. The force per unit width
required to obtain separation represents the peel strength of the film.
7.6.3 Apparatus
7.6.3.1 Tensile-testing machine, capable of maintaining a predetermined constant crosshead rate.
It shall be provided with a suitable self-aligning grip to hold the specimen. Each set of jaws of the grip
shall firmly engage the outer 25 mm of the un-bonded ends of the flexible adherends. The grip and
attachments shall be constructed in such a way that they will move into alignment with the specimen as
soon as the force is applied. The machine shall produce a chart that can be read in terms of millimetres of
crosshead movement as a function of the applied force, expressed in newtons.
The machine shall permit the measurement and recording of the applied force with an accuracy of ±2 %.
All equipment shall be calibrated regularly. It is recommended that a clamping device with low inertia be
used.
7.6.3.2 Device for measuring thickness, with an accuracy of ±0,01 mm, or a means of checking the
thickness to that tolerance.
7.6.4 Specimens
7.6.4.1 Specimen preparation
The film specimens, with minimum length 200 mm and width (15 ± 0,5) mm (see Figure 2), shall be cut
longitudinally using the cutting device. They shall be distributed uniformly over the whole width of the
film, and their position shall be recorded.
Once the specimens have been cut, measure the thickness of the various layers, directly or indirectly,
using appropriate means.
The number of specimens to be tested shall be at least three.
7.6.4.2 Initiating the delamination
The delamination shall be initiated using one of the following methods:
a) partially cutting the stretched ductile layers: the most rigid layer is partially cut or torn, to enable
elongation of the most ductile layer when the specimen is stretched manually. This stretching initiates
delamination, which as it progresses separates the complete width of the strip. This operation shall
be carried out until the separated parts are sufficiently long to be clamped in the tensile testing
machine jaws;
b) welding the film onto itself: this is possible if the inner layer can be welded onto itself. Stretching
manually over the weld (as if applying a tensile strength test) can delaminate the desired interface,
at least if this interface is weaker than the weld. Stretching before the film has fully cooled can
sometimes help;
c) chemical initiation: certain interfaces may be sensitive to some chemicals. Soaking the end of the
specimen in a chemical may initiate the delamination;
d) cooling to make the interface fragile: spraying a cooling aerosol or soaking the specimen in liquid
nitrogen can greatly alter the mechanical properties of the various layers, increasing the rigidity. This
makes the interface fragile and facilitates initiation of separation under the suitable stresses.
Combining this method with welding and cutting is sometimes highly effective.
Before carrying out the test, the specimens shall be bent, taking care not to damage them. The two
delaminated ends shall be bent in opposite directions, until each end is perpendicular to the non-
delaminated part, so as to form a specimen that can be mounted in the clamping device of the machine.
7.6.4.3 Conditioning and test atmosphere
The specimens shall be conditioned and tested in the standard atmosphere 23/50 class 2, given in
EN ISO 291.
7.6.5 Procedure
Clamp each delaminated end of the specimen in the jaws of the tensile testing machine, making sure that
the specimen is perfectly aligned between the jaws, so that the tensile force applied is uniformly
distributed over its width. See Figure 2.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 test specimen
2 direction of pull
Figure 2 — Principle of the T-peel test
Attach the most rigid delaminated part of the specimen to the mobile jaw.
The non-delaminated part of the specimen is left free: this is the so-called T-peel test. In reality, depending
on the relative rigidity of the peeling parts, the local peeling geometry shall be similar to that of a 180°
peeling test, or similar to that of a symmetric t-test (which corresponds to a 90° peeling test for each
part), or to a test between the two configurations.
Set the distance separating the jaws of the tensile testing machine to between 25 mm and 30 mm.
This distance keeps the elongation effects of the delaminated parts as constant as possible between
measurements.
Start the machine at a displacement speed of 200 mm/min.
Continue the test until a displacement of 50 mm, which is usually required to achieve constant peeling.
Record the force divided by the jaw displacement. Start the test over for each remaining specimen.
7.6.6 Expression of results
The peeling force, in newtons per unit width of the specimen, is defined as the plateau value
corresponding to constant peeling.
Determine the displacement limits for each curve to calculate the plateau value (e.g. between 5 mm and
45 mm). Any force peak at the start of the test shall be discarded from the calculation.
The preferable situation is for peeling to be constant and occur on a single interface. Sometimes,
simultaneous peeling of the two interfaces cannot be avoided, and the peeling force is significantly
greater, no longer remaining constant. In this case, the test report shall state “simultaneous interfaces”.
Based on the peeling forces determined in this way for each specimen, calculate the arithmetic mean
value, i.e. the peel strength in newtons per 15 mm width of specimen.
7.6.7 Precision
The precision of this test method is not known because interlaboratory data are not available. When
interlaboratory data are obtained, a precision statement will be added at the following revision.
7.6.8 Test report
The test report shall include the following information:
a) a reference to this document, i.e. EN 17098-1;
b) all the information required for complete identification of the barrier film, including the film type, the
barrier film material, and film thickness, the origin or trademark, if known;
c) all the information required for the apparatus used;
d) a complete description of the specimens;
e) the specimen conditioning procedure prior to testing, and the test atmosphere;
f) the mobile jaw displacement speed;
g) the peeling force values, in newtons per 15 mm width of the specimen, for each specimen and the
mean value (peel strength);
h) any deviation from the procedure specified in this document;
i) any unusual features observed;
j) the test date.
7.7 Determining impact resistance
7.7.1 General
In case of a folded film, a distinction shall be made between the test pieces taken from the folds (fold area)
and sample sheets taken from areas which have not been folded (flat area).
Films which are wider than 2 000 mm are usually folded lengthwise at least once before winding on a
reel. These folds are retained even when the film is laid out flat, and this may affect test results.
7.7.2 Impact test on flat area
Determine the impact resistance in accordance with EN ISO 7765-1, method A.
Calculate the impact failure mass, m , in grams, in accordance with EN ISO 7765-1.
f
7.7.3 Impact test on fold area
Determine the impact resistance using the apparatus specified in EN ISO 7765-1, method A.
Spread out the film specimen, placing the marked face on the sample holder, and subject it to the test
twice; alternating between the inner and outer folds, tangentially with the mass specified in Table 1. The
tangential test is carried out by shifting the fold 13 mm from the vertical axis of the specimen holder jaws.
See Figure 3.
If no failures occur, the test result is declared “pass”.
If one failure occurs, carry out two additional tests on the faulty fold in the same position (inner or outer
fold). If no failures occur, the test result is declared “pass”, and if one or two failure(s) occur(s), the test
result is declared “fail”.
If two failures occur, the test result is declared “fail”.

Key
1 external fold
2 internal fold
3 film
4 vertical axle of the specimen clamps
d = 13 mm
Figure 3 — Position of impact points on folds
7.8 Determining relative light transmission
7.8.1 Principle
The opacity of a film specimen is determined by measuring the transmitted light I when the specimen is
R
exposed to a light source of a specified illuminance l .
7.8.2 Apparatus
7.8.2.1 Light source consisting of a lamp of power 1 000 W, with the source fitted with a switch
enabling rapid activation and shutdown.
7.8.2.2 Luxmeter with 1/10 and 1/100 screens, enabling measurement from 1 lx to 200 000 lx at
least.
7.8.2.3 Cooling device for exposed specimen, using fresh air.
7.8.3 Procedure
Place the light source perpendicular to the photoelectric cell, at a height of 20 cm to 30 cm, so as to obtain
an initial illumination, I , of 100 000 lx.
...