METHOD FOR MEASURING THE IMPACT STRENGTH OF HEAVY-GAUGE FILMS

Abstract

Impact strength of polyethylene films has traditionally been measured using a falling dart testing procedure. With the falling dart method, various weights are added to a dart in order to puncture a film specimen. This procedure is limited by the maximum weight that can be added to the dart, restricting the usefulness of this test method for measuring the impact strength of heavy-gauge films.

Instrumented impact testing (IIT) is routinely used (ASTM D-3763) to measure the impact strength of molded plastic parts. By comparing results of this method with traditional falling dart tests over a range of film thicknesses it was concluded that this method was a suitable measurement technique for heavy-gauge films.

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