Significance and Use
4.1 The purpose of this classification system is to provide a method of adequately identifying plastic films using a system that applies universally for plastic films. It further provides a means for specifying these films by the use of a simple line call-out designation.
4.2 This classification system was developed to permit the addition of additional film products and property values.
4.3 It is intended that the classification of plastic sheeting, >0.25 mm [0.010 in.] thickness, multi-layer structures, blends, and other variants will be addressed in related standards.
Scope
1.1 This standard provides a classification system for tabulating the properties of unfilled, single-layer plastic films.
NOTE 1: The classification system serves many of the needs of industries using plastic films. The standard is subject to revision as the need requires; therefore, the latest revision should always be used.
NOTE 2: Film is defined in Terminology D883 as an optional term for sheeting having a nominal thickness no greater than 0.25 mm [0.010 in.].
1.2 The classification system and subsequent line call-out (specification) is intended to be a means of identifying plastic films used for applications including industrial, packaging, construction, and agriculture. It is not intended for the selection of materials to be used in films. This selection should be made by those having expertise in the plastics field after careful consideration of the end-use requirements, the environment to which the films will be exposed, the fabrication process to be employed, the inherent properties of the material not covered in this document, and the economic factors.
1.3 This classification system is based on the premise that plastic films can be arranged into broad generic families based on materials with similar composition using basic film properties. A system is thus established which, together with values describing additional requirements, permits as complete a description as desired of the selected film.
1.4 In all cases where the provisions of this classification system would conflict with the referenced ASTM specification for a particular film product, the latter shall take precedence.
NOTE 3: It is strongly recommended that this classification system be used for all new applications and specifications and that the specification of films using existing standards be expeditiously withdrawn or converted to this classification system.
1.5 This classification system applies to commercial products and, as such, there is no control over the manufacturing parameters employed in producing the film. It shall be the responsibility of those developing the specification documents utilizing this classification system to identify the critical parameters and values to be used for the cell classifications and suffix requirements.
1.6 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.7 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 4: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
