ASTM D1709

Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film

Impact resistance plays a vital role in assessing a material’s durability and performance under sudden stress. ASTM D3420, the standard test method for Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film, provides an essential benchmark for determining the toughness of plastic films. This method is especially valuable for packaging engineers, material scientists, and quality control professionals seeking to ensure that films meet application-specific performance requirements.

ASTM D3420 Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film

ASTM D3420 and Its Importance

The ASTM D3420 standard defines a method to measure the energy required to puncture a plastic film specimen using a pendulum apparatus. The kinetic energy of the pendulum mimics real-world forces a film might encounter, such as during packaging, shipping, or handling. The result reflects the dynamic tensile behavior of the film, providing a more realistic assessment than static tensile tests.

ASTM D3420 – ASTM Standards for Impact Testing of Plastics

ASTM D3420 focuses specifically on pendulum impact resistance, making it one of the most relevant ASTM standards for impact testing of plastics. While other methods like ASTM D1709 or D4272 test similar properties, D3420 is particularly advantageous because:

  • It allows dynamic testing at higher strain rates.
  • It offers two testing procedures (Procedure A and Procedure B) with different specimen and probe sizes.
  • It gives energy-based results, providing insight into both failure initiation and propagation.

This standard is widely used in evaluating films made from polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, and other common packaging materials.

Related Pendulum Impact Tester

Test Apparatus and Setup

To conduct ASTM D3420 tests, you’ll need a calibrated pendulum impact tester. The PIT-01 Pendulum Impact Tester from Cell Instruments is an excellent solution that fully complies with ASTM D3420 requirements and offers:

  • High-precision energy measurement (0.5 J to 5.0 J)
  • Optional weights for flexible testing ranges
  • Digital readout for ease of data capture
  • Two interchangeable impact heads for Procedure A (60 mm aperture) and Procedure B (89 mm aperture)

The tester should be mounted on a level surface with proper anchoring for higher energy tests.

Sample Preparation and Conditioning

Proper specimen preparation ensures accurate and repeatable results. Follow these steps:

  • Specimen Type: Use circular or square film samples—100 mm diameter or 100×100 mm.
  • Thickness: Measure to the nearest 0.00125 mm with a micrometer.
  • Conditioning: Pre-condition the specimens at 23 ± 2°C and 50 ± 10% relative humidity (as per ASTM D618) for at least 40 hours.

Ensure specimens are free from folds, defects, or uneven thickness, which could skew results.

Pendulum Impact Testing Procedure Overview

  1. Clamp the specimen between two circular plates.
  2. Raise and latch the pendulum to its starting position.
  3. Zero the readout and check for proper alignment.
  4. Release the pendulum to impact the center of the specimen.
  5. Read the energy value from the digital or analog dial.

Repeat this test on at least five specimens to obtain an average value for reporting.

Note: If the pendulum fails to puncture the film, increase the impact energy by adding auxiliary weights or using a thinner sample.

Data Interpretation and Result Analysis

  1. The final result represents the energy (in joules) required to puncture the film. This is a direct measure of the material’s impact resistance. Higher values indicate tougher films.
  2. When comparing materials or batches, it’s crucial to ensure consistent thickness, environmental conditions, and clamp settings to eliminate variability.
ASTM D3420 Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastic Film

Why Choose Impacttesting.net’s
PIT-01 Pendulum Impact Tester

The PIT-01 Pendulum Impact Tester from Impacttesting.net is advanced engineering and user-friendly interface make it ideal for:

Packaging film quality control
Laboratory R&D testing
Compliance with ASTM D3420 and related standards

By adopting PIT-01, users gain confidence in the accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency of their impact testing processes.

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