Evaluation of the impact toughness of film is important in predicting the performance of a material in applications such as packaging, construction, and other uses. The test simulates the action encountered in applications where moderate-velocity blunt impacts occur in relatively small areas of film.

The values obtained by this test method are highly dependent on the method and conditions of film fabrication as well as the type and grade of resin.

Test methods employing different missile velocities, impinging surface diameters, or effective specimen diameters will most likely produce different results. Data obtained by this test method cannot necessarily be compared directly with those obtained by other test methods.

The impact resistance of a film, while partly dependent on thickness, does not have a simple correlation with sample thickness. Hence, impact values expressed in joules (ft·lbf) normalized over a range of thickness will not necessarily be linear with thickness. Data from this test method are comparable only for specimens that vary by no more than ±15 % from the nominal or average thickness of the specimens tested.

The test results obtained by this test method are greatly influenced by the quality of film under test. The influence of variability of data obtained by this procedure will, therefore, depend strongly on the sample quality, uniformity of film thickness, the presence of die marks, contaminants, etc.

Several impact test methods are used for film. It is sometimes desirable to know the relationships among test results derived by different test methods. A study was conducted in which four films made from two resins (polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene), with two film thicknesses for each resin, were impacted using Test Methods D 1709 (Test Method A), Test Method D 3420 (Procedures A and B), and Test Method D 4272. The test results are shown in Appendix X2. Differences in results between Test Methods D 1709 and D 4272 are expected since Test Methods D 1709 represents failure-initiated energy, while Test Method D 4272 is initiation plus completion energy. Some films may show consistency when the initiation energy is the same as the total energy. This statement and the test data also appear in the significance and appendixes sections of Test Methods D 1709 and D 3420.

1.1 This test method describes the determination of the total energy impact of plastic films by measuring the kinetic energy lost by a free-falling dart that passes through the film.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.3 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 1—This test method and ISO 7765–2 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content (and results cannot be directly compared between the two test methods). The ISO test method calls for a direct readout of energy by using a load cell as part of the impactor head, while Test Method D 4272 calls for a constant weight impactor, then measuring the time of travel through a given distance to get energy values.