ASTM D6287-17 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Practice for Cutting Film and Sheeting Test Specimens — practice that describes equipment and three techniques for preparing narrow, nick‑free, non‑stretched strips from film and sheeting for use in mechanical and physical test methods.

Abstract

This practice provides procedures and recommended apparatus for cutting test specimens from plastic film and sheeting so that specimen edges are straight, clean, and free of nicks or stretches which can influence results in downstream tests (for example tensile or elongation measurements). It emphasizes specimen edge quality, inspection, and blade maintenance to preserve reproducible test performance.

General information

• Status: Active (current edition published; under routine review/revision activity noted by ASTM committee).
• Publication date: 15 December 2017 (designation D6287‑17).
• Publisher: ASTM International (ASTM Committee D20, Subcommittee D20.19).
• ICS / categories: 25.100.01 — Cutting tools; plastics test specimen preparation.
• Edition / version: D6287‑17 (edition approved December 2017).
• Number of pages: 3 pages (short practice).

Scope

This practice covers equipment and techniques for cutting film and sheeting specimens for testing so that specimens are nick‑free and non‑stretched, and can be prepared rapidly. It does not purport to address all safety concerns associated with its use and gives SI units as the standard. The practice is intended to support specimen preparation for many mechanical test methods that require narrow strips.

Key topics and requirements

• Recommended cutting techniques and three common apparatus/procedures for producing parallel, clean specimen edges (including hand rotary/rotary drum cutters and other fixture methods).
• Inspection criteria for specimen edges (visual and periodic microscopic checks to detect nicks or damage).
• Guidance on blade condition and maintenance — monitoring tensile/elongation control charts to determine when blades need replacement.
• Recommendations to ensure specimens are not stretched during cutting and to produce reproducible geometry for downstream tests.

Typical use and users

Used by materials test laboratories, quality control technicians, R&D engineers, and standards laboratories preparing plastic film and sheet specimens for mechanical tests (for example tensile testing, elongation, and certain dimensional or optical evaluations). It is commonly referenced by tests that require narrow strips prepared from larger sheets or rolls.

Related standards

This practice is frequently referenced by and used to prepare specimens for test methods such as Test Method D882, D2838, F88, F1921/F1921M, and F2029, among others. It replaces earlier editions (for example D6287‑09) and is maintained by ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics.

Keywords

film, sheeting, specimen preparation, cutting, rotary cutter, blade maintenance, tensile specimen, edge quality, plastics testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D6287‑17 is a short practice that describes equipment and techniques for cutting film and sheeting test specimens so edges are straight, clean, and free of nicks or stretch.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen cutting methods, apparatus descriptions (including rotary drum cutters and hand cutters), inspection of edge quality, and recommendations for blade maintenance and replacement to preserve test reproducibility.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials testing laboratories, QC departments, R&D groups, and anyone preparing narrow strips from plastic film or sheet for mechanical or physical testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D6287‑17 edition (approved December 2017) is the current published edition; the document is managed by ASTM and has been the active edition since 2017. A routine revision/work item was recorded by ASTM (committee activity noted), so users should confirm the edition date when obtaining the official text.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is an ASTM practice within Book of Standards volume related to plastics (Volume 08.03) and developed by Subcommittee D20.19; earlier editions exist (for example D6287‑09 and earlier).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Film, sheeting, specimen cutting, rotary cutter, edge quality, blade maintenance, tensile specimen preparation.