Designation: D 1938 – 02

Standard Test Method for

Tear-Propagation Resistance (Trouser Tear) of Plastic Film
and Thin Sheeting by a Single-Tear Method1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1938; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope * D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the force rials4
necessary to propagate a tear in plastic film and thin sheeting E 4 Practices for Load Verification of Testing Machines5
(thickness of 1 mm (0.04 in.) or less) by a single-tear method. E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
The method is not applicable for film or sheeting material Determine the Precision of a Test Method6
where brittle failures occur during testing. 2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 6383-1 Film and Sheeting—Determination of Tear
NOTE 1—Film has been arbitrarily defined as sheeting having nominal Resistance Part 1 Trouser Tear Method7
thickness not greater than 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).
1.2 Constant-Rate-of-Grip Separation Test —This test 3. Terminology
method employs a constant rate of separation of the grips 3.1 Definitions: For definitions of terms used in this test
holding the test specimen. method, refer to Terminology D 883.
1.2.1 Specimen extension may be measured in this test
method by grip separation. 4. Summary of Test Method
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 4.1 The force to propagate a tear across a film or sheeting
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for specimen is measured using a constant-rate-of-grip separation
information only. machine as described in Test Methods D 882 and is calculated
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the from the load-time chart.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 5. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 5.1 This test method is of value in rating the tear-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. propagation resistance of various plastic films and thin sheeting
NOTE 2—This standard is similar to ISO 6383-1, but is not considered
of comparable thickness. For highly extensible film or sheeting
technically equivalent. The specimen size for ISO 6383-1 is larger, and the the deformation energy of the specimen legs is significantly
method specifies different test speeds. greater than the tearing energy. The tear-propagation resistance
in slightly extensible or non-extensible film or sheeting is
2. Referenced Documents distinguished from the tear-propagation resistance in highly
2.1 ASTM Standards: extensible film or sheeting by the load-time or load-
D 374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu- displacement data, (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). The tear-propagation
lation2 force for slightly extensible or non-extensible material is
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical determined from the average tear force versus the initial and
Insulating Materials for Testing3 peak force for a highly extensible material.
D 882 Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic 5.2 This test method should be used for specification accep-
Sheeting3 tance testing only after it has been demonstrated that the data
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics3 for the particular material are acceptably reproducible.

1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
4
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film and Sheeting. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
5
Current edition approved March 10, 2002. Published May 2002. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
6
published as D 1938 – 62 T. Last previous edition D 1938 – 94. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
2 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01. Available from American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd St., 4th
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Floor, New York, NY 10036.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 D 1938
6.1.3.2 Self-aligning grips are attached to 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
applied so that the long axis of the test specimen will coincide
with the direction of the applied pull through the center line of
the grip assembly. The specimens should be aligned as per-
fectly as possible with the direction of pull so that no rotary
motion that may induce slippage will occur in the grips; there
is a limit to the amount of misalignment self-aligning grips will
FIG. 1 Load-Time Chart for Low-Extensible Film
accommodate.
NOTE 3—Grips lined with thin rubber have successfully been used.
Grips may be of the self-tightening type. In cases where specimens
frequently fail at the edge of the grips, the radius of curvature of the edges
of the grips may be increased slightly at the point where they come in
contact with the specimen.
6.1.4 Drive Mechanism—A drive mechanism capable of
separating the movable member (grip) from the stationary
member (grip) at a controlled velocity of 250 mm (10 in.) 6
5 %/min.
6.1.5 Load Indicator—A suitable load-indicating mecha-
nism capable of showing the total tensile load carried by the
test specimen held by the grips. The testing machine shall be
essentially free from inertia lag at the specified rate of testing
and shall indicate the load with an accuracy of 61 %. The
FIG. 2 Load-Time Chart for Highly Extensible Film
accuracy of the testing machine shall be verified in accordance
with Practices E 4.
5.3 The data obtained by this test method furnish informa- 6.1.6 Crosshead Extension Indicator—A suitable extension-
tion for ranking the tear-propagation resistance of plastic films indicating mechanism capable of showing the amount of
and sheeting of similar composition. Actual use performance change in the separation of the grips (crosshead movement).
may not necessarily correlate with data from this test method. 6.2 Thickness—A micrometer as prescribed in Test Methods
Sets of data from specimens of dissimilar thickness are usually D 374 or an equivalent measuring device, reading to 0.0025
not comparable. mm (0.0001 in.) or less. The pressure exerted by the gage on
5.4 For many materials, there may be a specification that the specimen being measured shall not distort or deform the
requires the use of this test method, but with some procedural specimen. For thin films, # 0.0025 mm (0.001 in.), or films
modifications that take precedence when adhering to the which exhibit visual deformation during measurement, a maxi-
specification. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to that material mum pressure of 70 kPa (10 psi) is recommended. For thicker
specification before using this test method. Table 1 of Classi- or stiffer films, the pressure shall be between 160 and 185 kPa
fication System D 4000 lists the ASTM materials standards that (23 and 27 psi).
currently exist. 6.3 Die—A die having the dimensions shown in Fig. 3 shall
be used to cut all specimens. The cutting edge of the die shall
6. Apparatus have a 5° negative rake, and shall be kept sharp and free from
nicks to avoid leaving ragged edges on the specimen. The
6.1 Testing Machine—A testing machine of the constant sample shall rest on a smooth, slightly yielding surface that
rate-of crosshead-movement type and comprising essentially
the following:
6.1.1 Fixed Member—A fixed or essentially stationary
member carrying one grip.
6.1.2 Movable Member—A movable member carrying a
second grip.
6.1.3 Grips—Perferably, a 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 slippage and uneven stress distribution.
6.1.3.1 Fixed grips are rigidly attached to the fixed and
movable members of the testing machine. Fixed grips may be
used if extreme care is taken to ensure that the test specimen is
inserted and clamped so that the long axis of the test specimen
coincides with the direction of pull through the center line of
the grip assembly. FIG. 3 Single-Tear Specimen

2
 D 1938
will not injure the die blade. Care should be taken that the cut the extension at maximum force. Report both the initial load,
edges of the specimen are parallel and perpendicular to the the maximum load, and extension at maximum load.
samples longitudinal and transverse directions. 10.3 For each series of tests, report the mean of all values
obtained to three significant figures and as the mean value of
7. Test Specimens the particular property.
7.1 The specimens shall conform to the dimensions shown 10.4 Calculate the estimated standard deviation and report
in Fig. 1 and shall not vary by more than 0.5 % from these load to three significant figures and extension to two significant
dimensions. figures.
NOTE 4—The thickness of the test specimens shall be uniform to within 11. Report
5 % of the thickness over the length of the unslit portion of the specimen. 11.1 Report the following information:
7.2 Measure the thickness of the specimen below the slit 11.1.1 Complete identification of the material tested, includ-
(see Fig. 3) in several places and record it in millimetres to the ing type, source, manufacturer’s code number, form, principal
nearest 0.0025 mm (0.0001 in.). dimensions, previous history, orientation of samples with
7.3 Cut enough specimens to provide a minimum of five respect to principal directions of the material, etc.,
tear-propagation force determinations each in the machine 11.1.2 Average thickness of test specimens,
direction and in the transverse direction of the material being 11.1.3 Number of samples tested,
tested. 11.1.4 Date of test, and
NOTE 5—This is required because the properties of anisotropic speci-
11.1.5 Mean of the five average tear-propagation determi-
mens vary with direction. nations, usually in newtons (or pounds-force), for the materials
described in 10.1; and the mean of the five initial tear-
8. Conditioning propagation forces, the mean of the five maximum tear-
8.1 Conditioning—Condition the test specimens at 23 6 propagation forces, in newtons (or pounds-force), and the
2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity for not less extension to maximum force, in mm (in.) for materials de-
than 40 h prior to test in accordance with Procedure A of scribed in 10.2. In each case, report the standard deviation of
Practice D 618, for those tests where conditioning is required. the data. In the cases where the specimens tear to one side, note
In cases of disagreement, the tolerances shall be 61°C this together with the values obtained.
(61.8°F) and 62 % relative humidity. 12. Precision and Bias
8.2 Test Conditions—Conduct tests in the standard labora-
tory atmosphere of 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 6 5 % 12.1 Precision:
relative humidity, unless otherwise specified in the test meth- 12.1.1 Table 1 and Table 2 are based on a round robin8
ods. In cases of disagreement, the tolerances shall be 61°C conducted between 1986 and 1990 in accordance with Practice
(61.8°F) and 62 % relative humidity. E 691 – 87, involving seven materials tested by seven labora-
tories. For each material, all the samples were prepared at one
9. Procedure source, and randomized sections of film were sent to each of
the laboratories which prepared the test specimens and tested
9.1 Secure Tongue A (Fig. 3) in one grip and Tongue B in them. Each test result was the average of five determinations.
the other grip of the constant-rate-of-grip separation-testing Each laboratory obtained two test results for each material.
machine, using an initial grip separation of 50 mm (2 in.).
Align the specimen so that its major axis coincides with an
imaginary line joining the centers of the grips. 8
Supporting data on precision are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request
9.2 Using a grip-separation speed of 250 mm (10 in.)/min, RR: D20-1177.
start the instrument, and record the load versus extension.
9.3 Continue the test until the tear has propagated through TABLE 1 Tear Propagation Resistance (Trouser Tear) Machine
the entire unslit 25-mm (1-in.) portion. Direction (Values Expressed in Units of Grams-Force)
9.4 If the tear deviates from the center line to such an extent Material Average SrA SRB rC RD
as to reach one of the edges of the specimen, note the deviation Polystyrene 5.04 1.54 3.47 4.32 9.72
in the report. Polyester 32.75 7.08 7.08 19.81 19.81
Polypropylene 70.77 20.52 38.05 57.45 106.6
9.5 Test not less than five specimens in each of the principal HDPE No. 2 127.3 48.04 56.49 134.59 158.2
film or sheeting directions. LDPE—LD 228.3 33.98 33.98 95.14 95.14
104
LLDPE 337.1 30.95 42.74 86.66 119.7
10. Calculation HDPE No. 1 482.9 49.04 106.0 137.3 296.9
10.1 For thin films and sheeting that have load-time charts A
Sr = within-laboratory standard deviation for the material stated. It is obtained
characterized by Fig. 1, calculate the average tear propagation by pooling the standard deviations of the test results from each laboratory, as
follows:
force by averaging the load over a 25.4 mm (1 in.) interval, Sr = [(((S1) 2 + (S2) 2 ... + (Sn) 2)/n]1/2
disregarding the initial and final portions of the curve. B
SR = between-laboratories standard deviation for the material stated. It is a
10.2 For thin films and sheeting that have load-time data pooling of the amounts by which the average of the test results for each laboratory
deviate from the overall average for that material.
characterized by Fig. 2, obtain and report the initial force to C
r = within-laboratory repeatability limit = 2.8 3 Sr.
continue the propagation of the slit, the maximum force, and D
R = between-laboratories reproducibility limit = 2.8 3 SR.

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 D 1938
TABLE 2 Tear Propagation Resistance (Trouser Tear) Transverse laboratories. The principles of 12.1.2-12.1.2.3 would then be valid for
Direction (Values Expressed in Units of Grams-Force) such data.
Material Average SrA SRB rC RD
12.1.2 Concept of r and R—If Sr and SR have been calcu-
Polystyrene 3.86 0.46 3.08 1.28 8.63 lated from a large enough body of data and for test results that
Polyester 32.47 1.74 3.68 4.86 10.31
LDPE—LD 278.6 12.21 30.29 34.18 84.40 were the result of testing five specimens, the following applies:
104 12.1.2.1 Repeatability Limit, r—In comparing two test re-
Polypropylene 326.2 49.67 124.9 139.1 349.7
LLDPE 372.5 26.69 31.68 74.74 88.70
sults for the same material obtained by the same operator using
HDPE No. 2 452.6 24.68 31.28 69.10 87.59 the same equipment on the same day, the two test results
HDPE No. 1 549.7 64.10 105.4 179.5 295.0 should be judged not equivalent if they differ by more than the
A
Sr = within-laboratory standard deviation for the material stated. It is obtained r value for that material.
by pooling the standard deviations of the test results from each laboratory, as 12.1.2.2 Reproducibility Limit, R—In comparing two test
follows:
Sr = [(((S1) 2 + (S2) 2 ... + (Sn) 2)/n]1/2 results for the same material obtained by different operators
B
SR = between-laboratories standard deviation for the material stated. It is a using different equipment in different laboratories, the two test
pooling of the amounts by which the average of the test results for each laboratory results should be judged not equivalent if they differ by more
deviate from the overall average for that material.
C
r = within-laboratory repeatability limit = 2.8 3 Sr. than the R value for that material.
D
R = between-laboratories reproducibility limit = 2.8 3 SR. 12.1.2.3 Any judgment in accordance with 12.1.2.1 or
12.1.2.2 would have an approximate 95 % (0.95) probability of
NOTE 6—Caution: The following explanations of r and R (12.1.2- being correct.
12.1.2.3) are intended only to present a meaningful way of considering the 12.2 Bias—There are no recognized standards to estimate
approximate precision of this test method. The data in Table 1 and Table the bias of this test method.
2 should not be rigorously applied to acceptance or rejection of material,
as those data are specific to the round robin and may not be representative 13. Keywords
of other lots, conditions, materials, or laboratories. Users of this test
method should apply the principles outlined in Practice E 691 – 87 to 13.1 plastic film; single tear; tear; tear-propagation; thin
generate data specific to their laboratory and materials, or between specific sheeting; trouser

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This section identifies the location of selected changes to this test method. For the convenience of the user,
Committee D20 has highlighted those changes that may impact the use of this test method. This section may also
include descriptions of the changes or reasons for the changes, or both.

D 1938 – 02: (6) Paragraphs 4.1 and 5.1 were modified.

(1) The title was revised. (7) Section 6 was revised.
(2) The scope was revised. (8) Paragraph 7.1 was revised.
(3) Note 1 was added.
(4) Paragraph 1.2 was added. (9) Section 9 was revised.
(5) ISO equivalency statement changed and renumbered at (10) Section 10 was revised.
Note 2. (11) Subcommittee jurisdiction was changed.

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