ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa., has proposed a standard that will help measure the thickness of plastic film. The new standard is WK54333, Test Method for Measuring Plastic Film with a Non-Contact Capacitance Gauge, and it will support the quality control and production of the films, officials said.
"The proposed standard will help produce thinner and higher quality films," said Doug Lawrence, an ASTM member and founder, president and CEO of SolveTech Inc., Wilmington, Del.
"This is great for the sustainability goals of the industry as manufacturers push to reduce material use and waste," he said.
Officials said that limitations exist for the current standard, which is based on contact methods for measuring thickness. Due to downgauging and changing thickness requirements, noncontact alternatives are needed.
The test method is designed to help producers achieve precise and accurate measure-
ments on thin films; and it will allow for a reproducible set of data points on film samples that correctly characterize the extrusion process, in terms of both the cross web and machine directions.
Interested parties are invited to participate in the development of the standard, which is to be reviewed at ASTM's meeting in November. More information can be found at www.astm.org.
KraussMaffei Group
Maguire
Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)
Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)
15007018 © Ed Metz | Dreamstime.com
