ASTM D882-18 PDF

Full title and description

Designation: ASTM D882-18 — Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting. This test method describes procedures to determine tensile strength, elongation, and tensile modulus of plastics supplied as thin films and sheeting. It is intended for materials less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) thick and includes guidance on specimen preparation, conditioning, test speeds, and measurement methods suitable for thin films and sheets.

Abstract

ASTM D882-18 specifies a standardized tensile test for thin plastic films and sheeting to produce reproducible values for yield and break stresses, percent elongation, and tensile modulus. The method covers specimen dimensions and cutting, conditioning (per referenced practices), test machine setup, grips and extensometer use, test speeds/strain rates, and calculation/reporting conventions so results are appropriate for R&D, quality control and specification.

General information

• Status: Active / Published (current edition D882-18).
• Publication date: 1 August 2018 (D882-18).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 83.140.10 (Films and sheets).
• Edition / version: D882-18 (2018 revision of earlier D882 editions).
• Number of pages: 12 pages (standard document length for D882-18 PDF).

Scope

This method covers determination of tensile properties of plastics in the form of thin sheeting and films less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.) in thickness. It applies to any plastic within that thickness range provided the test machine capacity is adequate. The standard notes that film is often used to mean sheeting ≤0.25 mm (0.010 in.) and also clarifies that tensile properties for materials ≥1.0 mm should be measured using Test Method D638. ASTM D882 is similar in intent to ISO 527-3 but differs in some specimen and speed requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Specimen geometry, cutter/cutting practice and number of specimens required (references D6287 for cutting practice).
• Conditioning of specimens before test (reference to Practice D618 for conditioning).
• Measurement of cross-sectional area (thickness and width) and guidance to use average values for calculations.
• Test speed / strain-rate options and specific strain-rate for modulus determination.
• Use of grips appropriate for thin films and the recommendation to use extensometers when practicable for improved accuracy.
• Calculation and reporting of tensile yield, tensile strength at break, percent elongation, and tensile modulus.
• Notes on sources of variability (thickness uniformity, specimen flaws, grip alignment) and relevant tolerances (e.g., thickness uniformity guidance).

Typical use and users

Commonly used by materials and quality-control laboratories, polymer and packaging R&D groups, contract testing labs, converters and manufacturers of films and flexible packaging, medical-device material testers, agricultural-film producers, and standards/regulatory bodies that require tensile-property data for thin plastics. The method supports material comparison, specification compliance, engineering design inputs, and quality control.

Related standards

Standards and practices commonly referenced with D882 include: ASTM D638 (tensile testing of plastics ≥1.0 mm), ASTM D883 (terminology relating to plastics), Practice D618 (conditioning of plastics for testing), Practice D6287 (cutting film and sheeting specimens), Guide D6988 (determination of thickness of film specimens), and international counterpart ISO 527-3 (tensile properties — test conditions for films and sheets). These standards address complementary specimen preparation, measurement, and test-condition requirements.

Keywords

tensile test, tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation, thin plastic sheeting, plastic film, film testing, AST D882-18, ASTM D882, specimen conditioning, extensometer, strain rate

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D882-18 is the ASTM standard test method that defines how to measure tensile properties (yield, break, elongation, modulus) of thin plastic films and sheeting (<1.0 mm thickness).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation and dimensions, conditioning, test-machine setup, grips and extensometer use, permissible test speeds/strain rates (including the strain-rate used for modulus), data reduction, and reporting conventions for thin films and sheeting. The method explicitly applies to materials thinner than 1.0 mm; thicker materials should be tested to D638.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials and QC labs, R&D teams in polymer and packaging industries, contract test houses, converters and manufacturers of films and flexible packaging, and product certifiers/regulators who need standardized tensile-property data for thin plastics.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: D882-18 (approved/issued in 2018) is the current edition. As of early 2026 a work item (WK97867) to revise D882 was recorded by ASTM to clarify application to multilayer/coated films, indicating a revision process is under way but the D882-18 edition remains the current published standard until a new revision is published.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D882 is part of ASTM Committee D20 (Plastics) test-method family for plastics; it is commonly used alongside related ASTM test methods and guides (D638, D883, D618, D6287, D6988) and has an international counterpart ISO 527-3 for films and sheets.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Tensile, tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, thin plastic film, plastic sheeting, specimen conditioning, extensometer, ASTM D882-18.