TA-108s-5i

We are pleased to announce a new application study that compares the ASTM D882 method and the TA-108S-5i fixture using the TA.XTPlus and Exponent software.

A current standard testing method for films like plastic wraps and adhesive tape backings is the ASTM D882 test. This testing method involves mounting strips of film between two clamps and then pulling in tension until the product fails. Unfortunately a wide variety of factors can impact the results including the quality of cut sample edges, clamp type used, parallelism of sample mounting, and excessive pre-test sample handling. Clamps can create weak spots in the samples causing them to fail at the mount, resulting in many replicates which need to be discarded. Imprecise sample preparation can influence the results creating data that does not always accurately describe the films themselves. Because D882 results are so sensitive to sample preparation and presentation it is an extremely time consuming test for operators. Even with the method’s drawbacks, the D882 is a common test that can easily be executed using Stable Micro System’s TA.XTPlus Texture Analyzer.

Texture Technologies has developed a film testing fixture that eliminates the negative elements of the D882 film test. The TA-108S-5i indexing film testing fixture maintains sample integrity and can very quickly test up to five replicates with ease. This fixture also quantifies multiple film attributes such as resiliency and extensibility. Very small samples of films are suspended over an elevated hole and are held tightly in place by a corresponding top plate. This presentation allows even brittle films to be handled delicately and in a manner which preserves the film’s integrity.  The result is an operator-independent test method which provides much more repeatable and differentiating results than a standard D882 test.

The samples tested using the ASTM D882 method were: 3M Scotch tape, 3M Scotch electrical tape, Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, and Glad Cling wrap.  While Listerine breath strips were too small and brittle to be tested using the same D882 method, they could be tested with the TA-108S-5i  method.

To request a copy of this application study, please use our Application Study Request Form or contact your regional manager.

An interesting paper that was presented at the AAPS Annual Meeting several years ago which uses an earlier version of the TA-108S-5i fixture is: “Mechanical, Permeation, and Disintegration Behavior of Films Based on Hypromellose and its Blends” by Jin Zhao,† Scott Gaynor,† Bob Schmitt,‡ Karen Coppens,† Wes Spaulding.†

†The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI 48674 USA jzhao@dow.com

‡The Dow Chemical Company, Bound Brook, NJ 08854 USA

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