ASTM D3368-17(2022) PDF

Overview

ASTM D3368-17(2022) – Standard Specification for FEP Sheet and Film sets requirements for unfilled, unpigmented fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) resin sheet and film less than 3.175 mm thick. This internationally recognized standard, developed by ASTM International, covers FEP sheet and film produced without fillers or plasticizers, but allows the use of recycled, reprocessed, and reworked FEP material when performance criteria are met and toxicological properties remain essentially unchanged from virgin material. The standard details key physical, mechanical, and electrical properties, and provides guidance for testing, packaging, and quality assurance of FEP sheet and film used across various industries.

Key Topics

• Material Scope: Restricts coverage to unfilled, unpigmented FEP resin forms. Specifies that sheets and films may be supplied in rolls or flat sheets.
• Types and Grades: Identifies four material types, including general purpose, cementable, high flexural endurance, and mold release films. Cementable types are further divided by grade.
• Recycled Content: Permits recycled and reprocessed FEP materials if the final product meets all physical, mechanical, and toxicological requirements.
• Critical Properties: Establishes criteria and test methods for:
  • Tensile strength and elongation at break
  • Dimensional stability on heating
  • Cementability (peel strength)
  • Dielectric strength
  • Density and thickness
• Dimensional Tolerances: Provides standards for acceptable thickness and width tolerances in FEP sheet and film.
• Testing & Certification: Specifies laboratory conditions and methods for validating conformance, including regular lot-acceptance and periodic inspections.
• Safety & Compliance: Assigns users the responsibility for implementing safety, health, and environmental practices.

Applications

FEP sheet and film manufactured under ASTM D3368-17(2022) are widely used due to their chemical resistance, electrical insulation properties, and thermal stability. Common applications include:

• Electrical Insulation: Ideal for insulating cables, wires, and components due to superior dielectric strength.
• Chemical Processing: Used as liners or barriers in chemical storage and processing equipment, thanks to resistance to aggressive chemicals.
• Adhesive Bonding Films: Cementable grades facilitate bonding where structural or sealing adhesives are required in assembly processes.
• Mold Release Films: Certain types are optimized for serving as a release medium in various molding and composite fabrication applications.
• Flexible Components: Durable for applications requiring both flexibility and resilience under stress or temperature extremes.
• Packaging and Protective Layers: Used for packaging sensitive electronics, pharmaceuticals, or any materials needing inert and clean protection.

Related Standards

For comprehensive quality assurance and to address additional technical needs, the following standards are commonly referenced alongside ASTM D3368-17(2022):

• ASTM D2116: Specification for FEP resin molding and extrusion materials
• ASTM D149: Test method for dielectric breakdown voltage and dielectric strength
• ASTM D374/D374M: Methods for measuring the thickness of solid electrical insulation
• ASTM D618: Practice for conditioning plastics for testing
• ASTM D638 & D882: Test methods for tensile properties of plastics and thin sheeting
• ASTM D3892: Practice for packaging/packing of plastics
• ASTM D792: Test methods for density and specific gravity of plastics
• IEEE/ASTM SI 10: Standard for use of SI units
• TAPPI 411: Standard for determining thickness (caliper) of paper and paper products (relevant for thickness measurements)

Adhering to ASTM D3368-17(2022) ensures that FEP sheets and films meet strict industry requirements, guaranteeing reliable and safe performance for critical applications across electronics, chemical processing, and beyond.