ASTM D4272

Introducing ASTM D4272 – Industrial Physics

ASTM D4272 is a global ASTM international standard test method that’s used to measure the total energy impact of dropping a free-falling dart through a plastic film.  

This ASTM standard is designed to evaluate the impact toughness of film. This is an important quality check to help you to predict the performance of a material used for a variety of applications, including packaging and construction.  

The ASTM D4272 plastic film test simulates and offers you a picture of what happens when a small area of plastic film is struck by a moderate-velocity blunt impact. It does this by measuring the amount of kinetic energy that’s lost when the free-falling dart passes through the film sample.  

For the purposes of the ASTM D4272 falling dart test, a plastic ‘film’ is defined as having a nominal thickness, no greater than 0.25 mm. Your test results will be influenced by the method and conditions of film fabrication as well as the type and grade of resin. 

The ASTM test results will be influenced by the quality of your film samples. Variable factors to consider include the uniformity of film thickness, the presence of die marks – or any contaminants. 

ASTM D4272 testing equipment  

So, how can Industrial Physics improve your ASTM D4272 testing? 

The Ray-Ran FD-A1 advanced falling dart tester 

(FD-A1) 

The powerful microprocessor technology of this robust, floor mounted device is easy to operate and highly accurate – making it ideal for product development and quality control.  

The total energy that causes failure of thin flexible materials such as plastic film, paper and composite sheets to fail has never been easier to establish. The FD-A1 uses photoelectric cells to measure the joules needed to break your sample by measuring the kinetic energy lost by the dart. 

Selected features and benefits

• Unique constant tension sample clamping 
• Safety engineered clamp and dart release 
• Conforms to ASTM D4272  

• Pneumatically operated 
• Floor mounted. 

The Ray-Ran FD A-2 advanced floor mounted falling dart tester 

(FD-A2) 

Advanced falling dart technology kitted in an industry-leading machine at an affordable price…that’s the Ray-Ran FD A-2. Built for accuracy, safety and ease of use, it’s ideal for all aspects of product development, quality control and meeting ASTM standards, including ASTM D4272. 

The break energy that causes thin flexible materials such as plastic film, paper and composite sheets to fail has never been easier to establish to ASTM standards. Typically, manual testing requires at least sixty drops per sample to gain reliable results! But our microprocessor fitted device reduces much of this wasted time and effort. 

Selected features and benefits

• Touch membrane alpha / numeric keypad 
• Advanced microprocessor control 
• Easy to read liquid crystal display 
• Photo electric cell technology 

• Pneumatically operated. 

Your global test and measurement partner for ASTM D4272