Tensile properties determined by this test method are of value for the identification and characterization of materials for control and specification purposes. Tensile properties can vary with specimen thickness, method of preparation, speed of testing, type of grips used, and manner of measuring extension. Consequently, where precise comparative results are desired, these factors must be carefully controlled. This test method shall be used for referee purposes, unless otherwise indicated in particular material specifications. For many materials, there can be a specification that requires the use of this test method, but with some procedural modifications that take precedence when adhering to the specification. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to that material specification before using this test method. Table 1 in Classification D4000 lists the ASTM materials standards that currently exist. Tensile properties can be utilized to provide data for research and development and engineering design as well as quality control and specification. However, data from such tests cannot be considered significant for applications differing widely from the load-time scale of the test employed. The tensile modulus of elasticity is an index of the stiffness of thin plastic sheeting. The reproducibility of test results is good when precise control is maintained over all test conditions. When different materials are being compared for stiffness, specimens of identical dimensions must be employed. The tensile energy to break (TEB) is the total energy absorbed per unit volume of the specimen up to the point of rupture. In some texts this property has been referred to as toughness. It is used to evaluate materials that are subjected to heavy abuse or that can stall web transport equipment in the event of a machine malfunction in end-use applications. However, the rate of strain, specimen parameters, and especially flaws can cause large variations in the results. In that sense, caution is advised in utilizing TEB test results for end-use design applications.Materials that fail by tearing give anomalous data which cannot be compared with those from normal failure.

 

This test method covers the determination of tensile properties of plastics in the form of thin sheeting and films (less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) in thickness.

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