ASTM D8065/D8065M-16 - 1.9.2016
 
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.

 
1. 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all new applications and specifications and that the specification of films using existing standards be expeditiously withdrawn or converted to this classification system.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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D1204-25

Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature

D257-14(2021)e1

Standard Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 5/6/2021).

D1203-23

Standard Test Methods for Volatile Loss from Plastics Using Activated Carbon Methods

D1434-23

Standard Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting

D1709-24

Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method

D1746-23

Standard Test Method for Transparency of Plastic Sheeting

D7209-06

Standard Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (Withdrawn 2015)

E29-22

Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

E96/E96M-24a

Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 11/20/2024).

F88-07

Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials

D3417-99

Standard Test Method for Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) (Withdrawn 2004)

D3420-21(2026)

Standard Test Method for Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film

D3801-26

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position

D3892-15(2020)

Standard Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics

D3985-24

Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric Sensor

D4272/D4272M-23

Standard Test Method for Total Energy Impact of Plastic Films by Dart Drop

D5946-24

Standard Test Method for Corona-Treated Polymer Films Using Water Contact Angle Measurements

D6988-21

Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens

D7192-20

Standard Test Method for High Speed Puncture Properties of Plastic Films Using Load and Displacement Sensors

D3354-21

Standard Test Method for Blocking Load of Plastic Film by the Parallel Plate Method

D1938-19

Standard Test Method for Tear-Propagation Resistance (Trouser Tear) of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by a Single-Tear Method

D2176-16(2021)

Standard Test Method for Folding Endurance of Paper and Plastics Film by the M.I.T. Tester

D2275-22

Standard Test Method for Voltage Endurance of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials Subjected to Partial Discharges (Corona) on the Surface

D2305-18

Standard Test Methods for Polymeric Films Used for Electrical Insulation

D2457-21

Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics

D2578-23

Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films

D2582-21

Standard Test Method for Puncture-Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting

D2732-14(2025)

Standard Test Method for Unrestrained Linear Thermal Shrinkage of Plastic Film and Sheeting

D2838-18(2026)

Standard Test Method for Shrink Tension and Orientation Release Stress of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting

D2923-13

Standard Test Method for Rigidity of Polyolefin Film and Sheeting (Withdrawn 2015)

D149-25

Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power Frequencies

D1790-21

Standard Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastic Sheeting by Impact

D1894-24

Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting

D1922-23

Standard Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method

D774-D774M-97

Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Paper

D882-26

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting

D883-26

Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics

D1003-21

Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics

D1004-21

Standard Test Method for Tear Resistance (Graves Tear) of Plastic Film and Sheeting

D150-22

Standard Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation

D1239-22a

Standard Test Method for Resistance of Plastic Films to Extraction by Chemicals (Includes all amendments and changes 9/12/2022).