DIN 53370

Introducing DIN 53370 – Industrial Physics

DIN 53370 is a global DIN international standard for measuring the thickness of plastic films by mechanical scanning. 

This standard specifies two methods of determining the thickness of plastic films and sheeting in millimeters (mm) or micrometers (µm). 

Two DIN 53370 testing methods

DIN 53370 Test Method P (the point scanning method): intended for plastic thickness testing of flat, non-embossed films. It makes it possible to detect variations in thickness over the width and length of a film web or strip test piece.   

DIN 53370 Test Method F (the flat-tip scanning method): takes no account of variations in thickness and can also be used for embossed films. 

You can use the results of your DIN 53370 plastic thickness test to support other types of testing, such as  tensile tests or the determination of electrical properties. 

The DIN 53370 approach to thickness testing 

The plastic thickness is measured along a line in the middle of the sample stripe at least at 10 points distributed over the length (distance max. 20 cm). Then the arithmetic average is calculated.  

Your plastic thickness testing samples should be at least 10 cm wide, consisting of a stripe of at least 10 cm in width across the full web width – or along the length of the web. Your samples need to be representative for the material, free of defects and uniform in thickness.  

It’s recommended that you carry out independent tests on three samples, although no minimum number of samples is specified.  

The DIN 53370 testing equipment

So, how can Industrial Physics improve your DIN 53370 plastic thickness testing?  

Messmer Büchel – Digital Micrometer 49-56 

With the Digital Micrometer 49-56 from Messmer Büchel you’ll achieve accurate thickness measurements of a wide range of sheet-like substrates even at low pressures. And the instrument complies to the most demanding of international standards. 

Need DIN 53370 testing solutions? Get in touch

We’ve learnt a thing or two about thickness testing over the decades. Now Industrial Physics is recognized as a brand that likes to bring new, innovative thickness testing equipment to market.  

We like to share our knowledge and we’re here to help you to answer your questions about thickness testing. Across the knowledgebase section of our website we publish lots of blogs on related subjects.   

Why not visit our blog on testing the thickness of plastic packaging films? Or alternatively there’s this one on testing flexible packaging: equipment and methods.  

If you have any questions about DIN 53370 and how we can help you with your plastic thickness testing, then please just get in touch!

Contact us – Industrial Physics 

Your global test and measurement partner for DIN 53370