dy Designation: D 1004-07
Standard Test Method for
Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting!
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1. Seope®
1.1 This test method? coves te detonation of the tar
resistance of flexible plstic film and sheeting a very low rates
‘Flog, 5m [2 in Jin. an is designed to measure the
{ore to initiate wearing. The specimen geometry of this test
‘method proces a dress concentration in sll are ofthe
specimen, The maximum stress usualy found ner the onset of
fearing, is recone as the tear resistance in-newtons [or
pounds-force). The method is not applicable for flm or
sheeting material whee bite fulures oceur during esting or
‘where maximum extension is greater than 101.6 mm [4 in.
None {Film has bon aha fia
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D882 Test Method for Tensile Prpestis of Thin Plastic
1D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-
tials
S947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
Plastics Specimens
4 Practices for Face Vatficuion of Teng Machines
E91 Practice for Conducting an Interlahortory Stay to
Determine the Precision ofa Test Meta
22 ASTM Aajuncs:
Die Drawings"
3. Terminology
3 Definitions:
Deiiitons of terms applying to this test method appear in
‘Terminology D833,
4, Summary of Test Method
4.1 The force to initiate tering across a speciic geometry
‘of a film or shetng specimen is measured using a constant.
‘tae-of-gip separation mzchie. The force necessary initiate
the tar is calculated from the loadtime or load- displacement
dau,
4, Significance and Use
5.1 Tear resistance of plastic flim or sheeting is a complex
function of its ultimate resisence to rupture. The specimen
geometry and sped of eting inthis test matho are contlled
to produce tearing in small area of stress concentration at
‘ates far below those usully encountered in sevice, Eyperi-
‘ence has shown the Lest to ave its best olay for materials
‘which do not have brite failure or do nt elongate greater than
two hundred percent during testing.
52 The dita from this test method furnish comparative
i i wg esistance of plastic specie
composition. Actual use performance in
tearing of some plastics may not necessarily correlate with data
from this test method.
Ai re ASTM Laci Heaters, Oak Aunt Na,53 The resistance w tear of phasic film and shosting, while
partly dependent upon thickness, has no simple costelation
‘with specimen thickness, Hence, tearing forces measured in
pewtons [or pounds-force] cannot be normalized over 3 wide
rringe of specimen thickness. without producing: misleading
data as 10 te actual tearing resistance of dhe material. Data
from this test method are comparable only from specimens,
which vary by no more than 10% from the nominal oF
average thickness of all specimens tested. Therefore, the
tearing resistance is expressed in maximum newtons [or
pouns-force) of fore to tear the specimen.
Sa The tear resistance of plas film may be a specification
that requires the use of tis test method, but swith some
procedural modifications that ake precedence when adbering
to the speci ‘Thorofore, it is advisable t0 refer 10 that
‘material specification before using this test med. Table 1 of
‘Classification System 1D 4000 lists the ASTM materials tan-
‘dards that curently exist
6. Apparatus
6.1 Testing Machine—A testing machine of the constant
rate‘ crossheat-movernent type and comprising essentially
the following:
G.L.L Fited Member—A fixed or essentially stationary
member carrying one grip.
6.1.2 Movable Member—A movable member carrying &
second grip,
3 Grips—Preferably. 1 set of self-aligning grips for
holding the test specimen between the fixed member and the
movable member of the testing machine. The grips should
‘minimize both stippage and uneven stress distribution.
6.13.1 Fixed grips are rigidly attached to the fixed und
movable members of the esting machine. Fised grips may he
used if extreme care is taken to ensure thatthe fest specimen is
inserted and clamped so thatthe long axis of the test specimen
‘coincides withthe direction of pall through the center line of
the grip assembly.
6.132 Selfaligning grips are attched 10 the fixed and
‘movable member of the testing machine in such a manner that
they will move freely into alignment as soon as any load is
"pplied so thatthe long axis of the tet specimen will coincide
With the direction ofthe applied pull unrough the center line of
the grip assembly.
No 3
The specimens sale aligned pefetly a pole wi
‘te iston of pl eo tat no etary motion ht ay induce slippage will
‘scar in the fips: thee isa limit to the amount of misalignment
‘elaligning gripe will commode
[Novw 4 Linge linad ith tin mibhor hve hoch osc sissy
asc where spocimons
‘ofthe gripe may be icreave lighly at he pint here they come in
sonst hte spss
61k Drive Mechanism—A drive mechanism capable of
separiting the movable member (grip) from the stationary
member (grip) at a controlled velocity of $1 mm [2 in] =
3 fhm
61S Load Indicor—A suitable lowd-indieating mecha-
nism capable of showing the tokal tensile load carried by the
test specimen held hy the grips. The testing machine shall be
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FIG, 1 Die for Tear Test Specimen
essentially free from inerlal lag al the specified rae of testin
‘and shall indicate the load with an accuracy of +19. The
‘sccuracy ofthe testing machine shall be verified in accordance
with Practices E 4
{6.1.8 Chosshead Extension ndiator—A suitable extension.
indicating mechanism capable of showing the amount of
ig im the separation ofthe grips (crosshead movement
{62 Thickness—A micrometer a prescribed in Test Methods
1D 5947, or an equivalent measuring device, reading to 0.025
run (0.0001 in, or less. The pressure exerted by the guge on
the specimen being measured shall not distort or deform the
‘specimen. For thin films, == 0.025 mm [0.001 in], or films
hich exhibit visual deformation during measurement, 3 maxi-
‘mum pressure of 70 kPa [10 psi] is recommended. For thicker
‘or slffer film, the pressure salle between 160 and 185 kPa
[23 and 27 pil
63 Die—A die having the dimensions shown in Fig. 1
shall he used to cut all specimens. The 90° ange shall be heed
“harp ith no radius o have a minimum prictical rads. The
culling edge ofthe die shall have a 5° negative ake, and shall
bbe kept shamp and ftee from nicks 10 avoid leaving ragged
‘edges on the specimen. Weting the surface of the sample and
the cating edges of the die with water may Facilitate cuting.
"The sample shall rest on the smooth, slighily yielding surface
‘that will not darmage the de blade. Lightweight cardboard or 3
piece of leather belting is suitable. Care should be taken that
the cut edges of the specimen are perpendicular to its other
surfaces and thatthe edges have # minimum of concavity
7. Test Specimens
7 The fest specimens shall be cutout with adie conform
‘ng to the dimensions shown in Fig. 1 and shall not wary by
‘more than 0.5 % from these dimensions. The cutting edges of
the die shall be kept sharp and free ofall nicks to avovd leaving
ragged edges on the specimens.
[Nort $—Caition shoud he wae 10 ens al samples ote the same